By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer | Two defendants accused of disturbing the peace at an unpermitted parade in the Marigny have filed motions to quash charges against them because they say the state is being too vague about what they did wrong. Ron Morrison, 24, and Jonathan Cromwell, 30, filed the motions to […]
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Posted inCriminal Justice, Government & Politics, Investigations
Questions surround DA's decision to drop charges in gun-waving cop's case
Ex-cop Devyn Swanier lost his job but not his liberty. The young man he bullied thinks justice has not been served. Experts are split on the question.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
The Lens wins press club awards for investigative reporting, social media
By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer | The Lens won considerable recognition at the Press Club of New Orleans Awards on Saturday night. Co-founder and staff writer Ariella Cohen won first place in the print investigative category and the Alex Waller Memorial Award for her entry “Following the money: the use and abuse of Katrina […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Government & Politics
Justice panel squawks about 'rubber stamp' role on agency funding; Carter vows reform
By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer | James Carter, Mayor Mitch Landrieu’s criminal justice coordinator, got an earful Tuesday at his very first meeting with the city’s Criminal Justice Council. The panel, comprising judges, the sheriff, the police chief and the occasional City Council member meets annually to allot state and federal grants that […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Government & Politics
Jefferson drops charges against OPP deputy
By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer | The District Attorney’s Office in Jefferson Parish has dropped all charges against a jailhouse sergeant at the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office booked in April with domestic abuse battery and aggravated assault. Sgt. William Holmes was arrested at his home April 9 after his wife called 911 and later […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Government & Politics
Your money, who decides? New Orleanians invited to speak up on budget for next year
By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer | The New Orleans Coalition on Open Governance is holding a training session for citizens Wednesday to teach them how, when, and where best to speak up so that their voices are included in the city’s budget process, which is already underway. The coalition, of which The Lens […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Government & Politics
Council tells district attorney, criminal clerk to do a better job of measuring effectiveness
By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer | Three City Councilwomen pushed the District Attorney’s Office and the Clerk of Criminal District Court to set better performance measures for how they spend taxpayer money this week. Their remarks came at the last of three joint meetings of the council’s Criminal Justice and Budget committees Thursday. […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Government & Politics
Suspended deputy loses part-time constable job after being accused of beating woman
By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer | An Orleans Parish Sheriff’s deputy arrested and suspended Monday after being booked with simple assault also has been fired from his second job as a deputy constable after being accused of a separate assault this month, records show. And even before being fired from his part-time position […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Government & Politics
Council puts hope in criminal-justice reforms but raises questions about some budgets
Update, Jun 30: This story has been corrected in several places related to the budget for the Public Defender’s Office. See corrections in italics. By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer | “For decades our city has justified its collective reluctance to change through the mantra of ‘we’re different here’,” Councilwoman Susan Guidry said, opening […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Deputy arrested, booked with assault
By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer| Correction, June 30: The deputy’s name is Mark Andry. A previous version of this story had the last name “Landry.” Another sheriff’s deputy has been suspended after being arrested and booked with assault, the sheriff’s office confirmed Tuesday. This is the fourth disciplinary incident at Orleans Parish Sheriff […]
