N.O. Cops Charged With Murder

There were conflicting reports when this story broke during Hurricane Katrina coverage.

UPDATE: There are contradicting versions about this story, AP is reporting that the men shot dead were not looters but contractors.

One witness came forward and alleged that at least one mentally disabled individual was shot in the back. An autopsy confirmed that and now a Grand Jury foreman is tossing around the word cover-up and the District Attorney is talking about people being shot down like rabid dogs.

The grand jury issued the charges after hearing weeks of testimony. The foreman of the panel, Lee Madare, declined to comment in detail as he left the courthouse but asked a reporter, "Do you understand the word cover-up?"

"We cannot allow our police officers to shoot and kill our citizens without justification like rabid dogs," District Attorney Eddie Jordan said.

Most have probably seen the video of New Orleans cops looting. Over 13% of the New Orleans police force have been disciplined post-Katrina. The Mayor in the Democrat stronghold was re-elected. John Edwards announced for President in New Orleans today and appears to have made no comment on the matter.

The incoming congressional Dems want to investigate the Bush administration's handling of Katrina. What are the odds they'll find time to ask Ray Nagin why a good portion of his police force seems to have failed so miserably, up to and possibly including committing murder?

The indictments were the latest blow to the reputation of the beleaguered police department. More than 200 officers on the 1,500-member force were disciplined for various offenses after the storm, including failure to show up for work.

Comments

[Phoenix]

I wish Katrina had been a gianormous tsunami and washed the whole joint out to sea.

This morality doo-doo of 'people at their finest' vs. 'people at their worst' is enough to make you spit.

[seekeronos]

Heck, from what I have seen of the looters in NO, I'd say that those cops who alledgedly "shot people down like rabid dogs" probably should get commendation medals and a bonus.

[hobo]

Re the cops looting, I understood they were trying to gather merchandise, materials and supplies to replace the ones destroyed by Katrina so they could do their job. As I recall,I read it somewhere on the net and in a newspaper.