Danziger Bridge Convictions Overturned
The Danziger Bridge convictions were overturned by US District Judge Kurt Engelhardt. In 2012, four former New Orleans police officers were convicted of shooting an unarmed family in the midst of Hurricane Katrina.
The family was reportedly crossing the bridge to flee devastating floods. Four people were wounded, and two were killed in the shooting.
Anthony Villavaso, Kenneth Bowen, Robert Faulcon, and Robert Gisevius, were convicted of civil rights violations. They were sentenced to at least 38 years in prison.
Archie Kaufman was convicted of covering up the crime. He was sentenced to 6 years in prison.
Attorneys for the former officers contend their clients were deprived of a fair trial. As reported by CBS News, the attorneys blame a “secret public relations campaign” aimed at discrediting the former officers.
The attorneys accuse the prosecutor’s office of leaking information to the media and posting derogatory comments online.
As reported by CNN, former US attorney Jim Letten, trial attorney Sal Perricone, and assistant US attorney Jan Mann, all posted comments about the case online.
The attorneys cloaked their identities using nicknames. However, their true identities were eventually discovered.
All three attorneys eventually resigned.
The misconduct prompted Judge Engelhardt to overturn the Danziger Bridge convictions. The judge also approved the defendants’ request for a new trial.
Engelhardt explained the decision in his finding:
“This case started as one featuring… brazen abuse of authority, violation of law, and corruption of the criminal justice system; unfortunately… it has continued to be about those very issues.”
The judge pointed out that the corruption now involves “grotesque prosecutorial misconduct.”
The derogatory comments were reportedly posted during jury selection and other important points during the trial. The prosecutor’s office essentially compromised the entire case.
Engelhardt concluded his ruling, stating the prosecutors’ behavior lacked “basic fairness and common sense.”
The Danziger Bridge convictions were overturned. However, all five defendants are facing new trials.
[Image via Wikimedia]
