New Orleans Officers Indicted in Beating

[warpedskydiver 0]

New Orleans Officers Indicted in Beating
By MARY FOSTER, Associated Press Writer
3 hours ago

NEW ORLEANS - Two fired New Orleans police officers and one current officer were indicted Wednesday in the videotaped beating of a retired teacher in the French Quarter last fall.

The Oct. 8 beating of Robert Davis, 64, was caught on video by an Associated Press Television News crew covering the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

The three officers were charged with battery and other offenses.

Davis spent more than an hour testifying about the beating, which left him lying on the street, hands cuffed and blood flowing from his head and face. Afterward, he told reporters that he still has headaches and back problems and even had to interrupt his testimony to take medicine.

The retired elementary school teacher said he was "a private citizen here on business returning to my home. There was no need for what happened."

Davis said he had returned to the storm-struck city to check on his property and was looking for a place to buy cigarettes in the French Quarter when police grabbed him.

The videotape shows an officer hitting Davis at least four times on the head. Davis twisted and flailed as he was dragged to the ground by four officers. One officer kneed Davis and punched him twice.

District Attorney Eddie Jordan declined to say whether he showed the video to the grand jury, but he called it "very important" evidence.

When asked if the false imprisonment charge meant that Davis should not have been arrested, Jordan said that would be "a fair inference."

Officer Stewart Smith had ordered APTN producer Rich Matthews and the cameraman to stop recording. When Matthews held up his credentials, the officer grabbed him, jabbed him in the stomach and delivered a profanity-laced tirade.

Officers Robert Evangelist, 36, and Lance Schilling, 29, were charged with battery against Davis. Smith, 50, was charged with battery against a reporter.

Evangelist and Schilling were fired after the incident; Smith was suspended but remains with the police force.

The video also shows two FBI agents joining the police in subduing Davis. Their role is being investigated by federal officials.

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Finally...and NOPD wonders why so many people around the world assume the worst about NO

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[Rookie120 0]

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Finally...and NOPD wonders why so many people around the world assume the worst about NO

I dont assume, I have seen the NOPD. What a bunch of wildcat assholes. Thats why I wont go to that piece of shit city or spend 1 dime there. Although we are all paying for that hell hole now with the wonderful hand outs the fed's keep giving them.

If you find yourself in a fair fight, your tactics suck!

[akarunway 1]

Lived there for 5 yrs 25 yrs ago. You hit the nail on the head. Was fun tho in my younger days. 2.0 for a DUI. "Was legal to drive drunk in La." Got "30 Days In The Hole" for carrying a concealed firearm in a bar ( a misdemeanor) Got the shit beat outta me by the NOPD. Huey P. Long says it all. http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USAlongH.htm. And we won't even go HERE>http://www.command-post.org/2004/2_archives/016744.html

I hold it true, whate'er befall;
I feel it, when I sorrow most;
'Tis better to have loved and lost
Than never to have loved at all.

[altichick 1]

How can one of them still have his job?

IMO police that do things like this should not only loose their jobs but should be subject to *at least* the same punishment (fines or jail) as a civilian would be for the same crime (physical assault).

If the police (same goes for soliders, teachers & any anyone with a position of responsibilty and power) can't take the moral high ground and set examples of decent behavior I think the punishments should actually be harsher than for a civilian... How can you have a respected force when they can get away with this kind of shit?

Don't sweat the petty things... and don't pet the sweaty things!