Monday, July 19, 2010

Mixed feelings

Louisiana's WWLTV News posted this story on July 15th: "Brother of Danziger victim has mixed feelings on possible death penalty":

For most, it's just a bridge. People pass freely without paying a dime. But in the chaos post Katrina, Ronald Madison, a 40-year-old man with a severe mental disability, paid with his life while trying to walk across to the west end of the Danziger Bridge, killed at the hands of New Orleans Police officers.

In federal court on Tuesday, six more current and former New Orleans Police officers were charged in connection with the deadly shootings atop the Danziger Bridge, just 6 days after Hurricane Katina. Officers shot six people - wounding four and killing two others.

While two of the officers now in custody were not among those who were present or involved in the actual shootings, they were supervisors who are now accused of covering up what really happened. Archie Kauffman could face 120 years in prison if convicted and Gerard Dugue could face 70 years.

The remaining four officers are among the group of cops known as the 'Danziger Seven,' who are accused of playing a role in the deadly shootings. Officers Kenneth Bowen, Robert Gisevius, Robert Faulcon, and Anthony Villavaso are now in custody and could face the death penalty.

"I don't want to see anyone executed, but I guess I have to keep in mind that they executed my brother," saidand Romell Madison, Ronald's older brother. "I just have mixed feelings about it."

And so Romell Madison, a prominent dentist in New Orleans, remains torn on the future fate of his little brother's accused killers. ...

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