On Wednesday, a state appeals court in New Orleans ruled that a non-unanimous conviction should be overturned. On the same day, an appeals court in Lake Charles ruled that another split-jury verdict was valid.
The proposal also includes the introduction of thousands of “smart cities” equipment throughout the city equipped with cameras and other data collecting sensors.
Over the summer, Mayor Cantrell met with a group opposed to the plan, telling them to come up with their own ideas for how to use the building. The group has been working on it but has not heard from city officials since July.
State officials say monitoring compliance is up to local school district authorities.
New Orleans has spent millions to expand its police surveillance powers. But without formal oversight or regulation, citizens have largely been left in the dark about what tools and techniques the city is using to spy on them.
COVID-19 cases in district schools remain low.
The plan received preliminary approval this week from a City Council committee, but still needs final approval from the full council.
Brandon Jackson is one of more than 1,500 people still incarcerated in Louisiana on non-unanimous verdicts, though the United States Supreme Court ruled split verdicts unconstitutional last year. Will he get a chance at freedom?
If districts opt in, the policy would allow close contacts to remain in class without a quarantine. NOLA Public Schools district indicated they will not adopt the policy.
Most cases are connected to K-8 schools.
