By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer| A former Orleans Parish Sheriff’s deputy accused in September of forcing an inmate to perform oral sex after handcuffing him and taking him to a jail closet has been indicted on charges of second-degree kidnapping, sexual battery and malfeasance in office. Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin Gusman fired former Sheriff’s Deputy […]
Author Archives: Matt Davis
Posted inCriminal Justice, Government & Politics
NOPD ends controversial practice of releasing criminal records of homicide victims
Police Superintendent Ronal Serpas announced today he will no longer release the arrest records of homicide victims, reversing a controversial and unevenly applied practice.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
NORD finalist asks for public discussion
By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer | One of the finalists to run the city’s recreation program asked this week that a discussion of his candidacy be held in public, rather than in a closed-door session of the screening committee, city records show. Two days after that request, a subcommittee of the New Orleans […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Mayor, independent NORD commission reach same conclusion; 4 to interview for top job
By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer | A subcommittee of the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission aiming to recommend a new chief executive insisted this afternoon that it is independent, despite following Mayor Mitch Landrieu’s latest wishes on the issue to the letter. An assistant city attorney working with the subcommittee also appeared to […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics
NORD Commission again stumbles over Open Meetings Act, delays decision
By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer | A subcommittee of the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission aiming to appoint a new chief executive adjourned a meeting this afternoon without taking any action, after activist attorney Tracie Washington raised fresh concerns about whether the subcommittee had followed public meetings law. Two city councilwomen have now […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Government & Politics
Council members criticize Serpas for releasing arrest records of homicide victims
By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer Police Superintendent Ronal Serpas defended his department’s approach to stemming homicide in New Orleans before a meeting of the City Council’s Criminal Justice Committee this afternoon. The number of homicides rose by 14 percent during Serpas’ first full year in command from 175 in 2010 to 199 in […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Deputy charged after inmate's suicide
By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer | District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro has charged former Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Deputy William Thompson with malfeasance in office after the deputy allegedly abandoned his post, allowing an inmate on suicide watch to kill himself. Thompson Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin Gusman issued a warrant for Thompson’s arrest on Aug. […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Recreation Commission sets important meeting tonight, but doesn't comply with law
By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer | Update, 7:28 p.m.: Landrieu’s spokesman Ryan Berni says the meeting has been rescheduled for tomorrow, January 18, at 5 p.m., after all. To clarify, a meeting of the recreation commission foundation was rescheduled. The executive search committee will meet in the Office of Homeland Security conference room […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Nationwide search costing tens of thousands could find NORD boss is already here
By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer | A search firm paid $42,000 to find a new city recreation director warned officials today that the longer they take to make a decision, the more likely they are to hire the interim director already in place. The more time the process takes, the less rival candidates […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Earlier French Quarter curfew for youths gets mixed reaction; Council set to vote Thursday
Correction: The start time for the proposed weekend curfew was incorrect in an earlier version of this article. By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer | Some New Orleans City Council members and Police Superintendent Ronal Serpas faced accusations of racism and unequal law enforcement this afternoon over plans to expand a curfew in the […]