Calvin Cains III was killed in early June by a Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office deputies who said they used lethal force to prevent Cains from running them over. But two key witnesses dispute that account, saying that Cains had just gotten into the car and may had not have even turned the key.
The two officers worked for one of the city’s security districts, which are not subject to the NOPD’s federal consent decree and its enforcement of constitutional standards for its officers.
Also, advocacy group VOTE sues the city for quietly shuffling city funds totaling $32 million to the Phase III “special needs” jail.
As Phase III proponents push to break ground on a new “mental health jail,” litigation is supplanting discussion, leaving critical design and staffing issues unresolved and costs ballooning.
Apparent Cantrell administration allocation adds $10 million from unknown source. Also, architects differentiate their jail design from notorious "panopticon" configuration.
Federal judge in Baton Rouge hears arguments about the facility that she allowed to open a year ago.
Earmarked funds were initially slated for greenspace and building improvements.
Among other things, look for a skilled manager, an innovator, who can, despite low manpower, devise strategies to fight crime and move the department away from its long-standing culture of favoritism.
Attorney James E. Boren contends that Attorney General Jeff Landry’s office has too many conflicts to be advising the Board on this matter.
