2 Former Officers Sentenced in Post-Katrina Killing

[alp227]

Source: The New York Times

NEW ORLEANS — Two former New Orleans police officers were sentenced on Thursday in the killing of an unarmed civilian and the burning of his body in the week after Hurricane Katrina in a case that exposed the city’s troubled Police Department.

One of the former officers, David Warren, was sentenced by a federal judge here to 25 years and 9 months in prison on a federal civil rights charge of using a firearm to commit manslaughter.

The other, Greg McRae, was sentenced to 17 years and 3 months in prison and three years of supervised release on two civil rights charges, including obstruction of justice.

On Sept 2, 2005, Mr. Warren shot Henry Glover from the second floor of a strip mall that was being used as a police substation. Mr. Glover, who had been trying to pick some looted suitcases, was shot as he was running away; at trial, Mr. Warren said he had fired in self-defense.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/01/us/01police.html

[Hun Joro]

1. Manslaughter?

[MineralMan]

2. I'm glad the sentences have been handed down.

Stiff ones, too. Still, it goes beyond manslaughter, but those sentences are an indication that the judge agreed. Very long for manslaughter.

[democrank]

3. Good!

[frylock]

4. enjoy your stay, mutherfuckers

[Dogtown]

5. Cops always get minimum security

in federal camps.

Still, 17-25 years of mowing golf-courses for $0.11 an hour is good.

[Dawson Leery]

7. Though it shows that they are above the law.

[Dogtown]

10. indeed n/t

[alp227]

6. more detailed article from AP, which IDs judge as Lance Africk

http://www.ajc.com/news/nation-world/ex-cops-go-to-892584.html

"U.S. District Judge Lance Africk rejected the notion that the cases would deter officers in the future from staying after a storm to protect the public. "

"'Henry Glover was not at the strip mall to commit suicide. He was there to retrieve some baby clothing,' Africk said. 'You killed a man. Despite your tendentious arguments to the contrary, it was no mistake.'"

Africk was appointed by GW Bush, the same president who appointed "Heckuva job, Brownie"

[uppityperson]

8. nola.com article, about the same. Glad they got some sentence, hope it doesn't include early release

http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2011/03/two_former_nopd_officers_recei.html

[Judi Lynn]

9. AP: Ex-cops go to prison in post-Katrina killing

Ex-cops go to prison in post-Katrina killing
By MICHAEL KUNZELMAN Associated Press
Posted: 03/31/2011 01:58:14 AM PDT
Updated: 03/31/2011 01:32:14 PM PDT

NEW ORLEANS—Calling the crimes inexcusable and barbaric, a judge sentenced two former New Orleans police officers to prison Thursday for their roles in the shooting death of an unarmed man whose body was later set on fire in the chaotic aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

The 25-plus years David Warren received for shooting 31-year-old Henry Glover to death was the stiffest punishment so far in the Justice Department's investigations of post-Katrina police misconduct. Ex-officer Gregory McRae was sentenced to more than 17 years in prison for burning Glover's body after he was gunned down.

U.S. District Judge Lance Africk rejected the notion that the cases would deter officers in the future from staying after a storm to protect the public. When Hurricane Katrina hit in August 2005, many officers fled the city, leaving the police department with depleted forces. The National Guard was eventually dispatched to help prevent looting and control much of the city.

Warren said he thought Glover had a gun and posed a threat when he shot him outside a police substation at a strip mall. The judge called his testimony absurd.

More:
http://www.montereyherald.com/national/ci_17740902?nclick_check=1