Cops charged in La. shooting can work

[helderheid]

By STACEY PLAISANCE, Associated Press Writer 17 minutes ago

NEW ORLEANS - All seven policemen charged in the deadly bridge shootings after Hurricane Katrina will be allowed to post bail, and the six still on the New Orleans Police force can return to limited duty, a judge said Friday.


The seven men pleaded not guilty in court Friday to murder or attempted murder charges.

Four of the officers face counts of first-degree murder that carry a possible death sentence. A grand jury indicted the seven last week in connection with the Sept. 4, 2005, shootings on the city's Danziger Bridge that killed two men and wounded four other people.

Bail on a first-degree murder charge is rare in Louisiana and activists who had gathered outside the courthouse prior to the hearing protested allowing it.

As one of the officers left the courthouse, surrounded by attorneys and police officers, a small group of activists shouted "murderer."

MORE

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070105/ap_on_re_us/katrina_bridge_shootings

[ThomCat]

1. Why are they getting bail for 1st degree murder charges?

I hope they're not being given their guns. x(

[pitohui]

6. because everybody's getting bail if they're getting arrested at all

next door in jefferson parish a man shot his wife dead in the face on camera, and he's out on bail

this is why the killers are running amok -- 13 people killed in cold blood in orleans alone in 5 days -- there is no will to keep them in prison and bring them to trial

i'm not saying the cops are guilty but if they are, it's a hell of a thing where they will still be working on presumably patrolling streets that have just EXPLODED with unsolved killings over the last few days

it's tombstone, arizona down here

[Bluebear]

2. Bail on first degree murder???? And they can function as police??

:crazy:

[pitohui]

7. so say the judge EOM

,

[slackmaster]

3. If the NOPD has their service guns, it cannot legally give them back

Federal law prohibits transferring a firearm to anyone who is under indictment for a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year.

http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode18/usc_sec_18_00000922----000-.html

See Section 922 (d) (1).

[helderheid]

4. This is insanity

[helderheid]

5. KICK