Two years ago at Mardi Gras, Leslie tackled my Mom on the neutral ground of St. Charles as shots were fired into the crowd. Seven people got shot.
Today, charges were dropped against the shooters, because the cop that confiscated the gun found on the suspects is one of the cops that recently pled guilty to planting a gun in the Danzinger bridge case.
http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2010/04/orleans_da_drops_all_charges_a.html
Cursing under his breath as he left a courtroom Thursday, Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro had his office dismiss all charges against three young men accused in connection with the 2009 Mardi Gras parade shooting that sent seven parade-goers, including a toddler, to the hospital with gunshot wounds.
“I want them back in f—ing court,” Cannizzaro muttered repeatedly to an assistant as he walked away from Judge Frank Marullo at Criminal District Court.
The state’s case became troubled recently, when New Orleans police Lt. Michael Lohman admitted in federal court that he planted a gun in an effort to cover up a deadly police shooting days after Hurricane Katrina.
Lohman is the cop who also confiscated the guns allegedly used in the Mardi Gras shooting.
According to prior courtroom testimony by Detective Jeff Walls, Brooks was a gunman that day and was tackled by a citizen and Lohman as he tried to run away.
When Brooks hit the ground, a fully loaded 9-mm gun fell from his waistband, police said.
What a proud moment for the NOPD. A shooting on St. Charles Avenue on Mardi Gras, and your corruption lets the gunmen go free. Thanks.
UPDATE:
The DA has re-opened the cast. Apparently, charges were dropped mistakenly by an Assistant DA:
http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2010/04/orleans_da_said_parade_dismiss.html
Cannizzaro said the dismissal took place only because of a “breakdown in communication” between him and Pipes, and that his office will bring Brooks, 21, Lewis, 19, and Gray, 19, to trial for discharging a firearm along the parade route.
What kind of idiot is that Assistant DA? “Yeah, sure let them go, we don’t care.”