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 […]
Category: Criminal Justice
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 inCriminal Justice, Opinion
Rage over victim’s arrest record should be directed at NOPD
As I concluded some small talk with a friend this morning, he turned to go but then whirled around and said, “Interesting report by The Lens yesterday.” He didn’t have to elaborate. I knew he referred to the article about New Orleans Police Department’s delay in issuing a statement on Mike Ainsworth, the Good Samaritan […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Government & Politics
Anxious Algiers residents seek answers to crime day after Samaritan killed in carjacking
By Kelsey Foster, The Lens contributing writer | A day after a good Samaritan was shot and killed while trying to stop a carjacking in Algiers Point, a beefed-up police presence was evident in the usually quiet West Bank neighborhood, as police cars trolled the streets and a helicopter circled above. But the efforts of […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Government & Politics
Despite recent practices, NOPD silent on arrest record of Samaritan killed in Algiers
Update, 2:35: The city, through its Nola Ready alert system, has released the victim’s criminal record. By Karen Gadbois, The Lens staff writer | In what appears to be a departure from the recent New Orleans Police Department practice of releasing criminal records of homicide victims, the department has not released the arrest record […]
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 inCriminal Justice, Opinion
Things to consider, from homicide figures to killer sports records
Let’s get down on Friday and briefly consider five different topics in one post. What do you say? 1) The Uptown Messenger is correct. Murder was the single most important story in New Orleans last year. Homicides increased, and led many to question whether Police Superintendent Ronal Serpas is the right person for the job. […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Council approves earlier Quarter curfew over objections saying it encourages profiling
By Karen Gadbois, The Lens staff writer | An earlier weekend curfew for youth approved today by the City Council – targeting the French Quarter and Frenchman Street’s entertainment district – sparked two days of contentious hearings in council chambers. Those opposed to the measure say it will encourage racial profiling of young African Americans, […]
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 […]