New Orleans police face trial in post-Katrina killings

[cory777]

Source: AFP

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana (AFP) – Five New Orleans police officers accused of indiscriminately shooting people in the chaos unleashed by Hurricane Katrina face a high-profile trial in the coming week.

The deadly 2005 shooting on the Danziger Bridge and resulting cover-up came to epitomize the city's failure to protect its citizens and exposed deep-rooted corruption in the police department which many say remains unaddressed.

"This trial is going to show the country and the world that we have a serious problem with our police department," said Eddie Jordan, the city's former District Attorney.

"This department is engaged in horrendous acts against its citizens."

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110619/ts_alt_afp/uscourtpolicestormkatrina

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[Little Star]

1. I wonder if this will be covered by the media. This is a trial that..

I would certainly like to see. Will there be live coverage? Anyone know?

[alp227]

5. I've heard about Casey Anthony, but this? doubt it. n/t

[Suich]

2. Good...it's abut time! n/t

[EFerrari]

3. I'm surprised this case got this far.

[defendandprotect]

4. Remember this when we hear the BS about "broadbrush" criticism of police ...

How many of our police departments have been or could have been under

Federal supervision for racist, sexist, or homophobic policing?

Policing which violates the Constitution -- ?

When JFK was assassinated in Dallas, 50% of the police officers were KKK -

When RFK was assassinated in LA, 50% of the LAPD were John Bircher's --

[Vattel]

6. Congrats to Obama's DOJ for pursuing the case.

For all its flaws, DOJ has improved dramatically under Obama and Holder.

[blank space]

7. Important issue at stake here people -

Im a student of political theory, philosophy etc, Masters in International Relations (blah blah), but I just want to raise one of hte most fundamental theories to society as we know it - the theory of violence.

Violence is not hitting someone - it is the control of force (police, prisons, military etc). The main premise of any sovereign nation is a "LEGITIMATE monopoly on violence". (The is a Weberian theory).

Anyway - the point being that at any stage a nation loses this control - it also loses its legitimacy - in other words control and force are not real, they are illusory, so in other words as soon as the people of a state decide to react against the controlling force - that force no longer has any meaning, any legitimacy or any power. Subsequently once it is overthrown it is then rerwritten as never having had any legitimacy in the first place.

The point is that a nation, state, sovereign can never, ever allow its control of force be de-legitimized as that LEGITIMATE control of force is the only thing which allows it to function.

Hence - if in this case the very legitimacy of the Police is drawn into question then the entire foundation of the US State is completely undone. It casts a shadow over all institutional force in the US -

Very often seemingly innocuous events have dramatic effects which only appear obvious in hindsight - this case if allowed to pan out could well be one of those (think of the police shootings in Little Rock). This case may well be stopped in its tracks - very serious consequences.

[NOLALady]

8. Well.

So be it.

I'm OK with consequences. Anything is preferable to the horror of the NOPD.

[Kurmudgeon]

9. The general understanding is, the police will do the right thing under the rule of law.

Once a certain percentage of the populace starts to believe otherwise, the nation is in trouble.
The New Orleans disaster, pot laws, immigration, overbearing traffic enforcement, the list goes on and on.
What will be the tipping point, or are we already too close to say?

[crim son]

12. Nothing undermines the legitimacy of the police

like exposed corruption and violence left unaddressed, nothing. The consequences of not pursuing this case would be far more grave than those associated with following it through.

[Corruption Winz]

10. Well, it only took half a decade. For the justice system, that's mach speed.. n/t

[Proletariatprincess]

11. Interesting that this article comes tonight...

right after an episode on HBO of "Treme" where the plot line involves the investigation of police killings after Katrina.
When an issue enters the popular culture like that, it is very difficult to cover up. Although I am sure there will be great efforts to do just that.

[Dappleganger]

13. Strange, I was just struck by that as well. Love that show for keeping

Katrina fresh on our minds.