Ex-cop pleads guilty in Katrina bridge shooting cover-up - CNN.com






A former New Orleans police lieutenant pleaded guilty Wednesday to obstruction of justice in connection with the police shootings of civilians in the days after Hurricane Katrina. Two civilians were killed and four others were injured in the shootings on the Danziger Bridge.
Former Lt. Michael Lohman conspired with other police officers to cover up how the shootings occurred, even though he believed them to be "legally unjustified," according to a federal indictment unsealed Wednesday.
The indictment charges Lohman with conspiring to obstruct justice.


Read the criminal complaint
The shooting happened on September 4, 2005, just days after Hurricane Katrina roared ashore on the Gulf Coast.
Responding to a call for assistance, several officers drove to the bridge and encountered six civilians who were walking across the bridge to get food and supplies, the indictment says. The officers opened fire, killing one person -- later identified as 19-year-old James Brissette -- and injuring four others, according to the indictment.


They started shooting again on the other side of the bridge, killing Ronald Madison, a 40-year-old severely disabled man, the indictment says.
Madison was shot seven times -- five times in the back, the coroner has said.
Lohman arrived after the shooting, learned that his police colleagues "planned to provide false stories about what had precipitated the shooting" and "encouraged them to do so," according to the indictment.
Among other things, Lohman did not make sure police collected evidence, suggested that colleagues get rid of some shell casings the shooters left behind, and went along with a plan to plant a gun near the bridge, according to the indictment.


State prosecutors pursued criminal charges against several police officers without success.
In August 2008, a judge quashed indictments against Sgts. Kenneth Bowen and Robert Gisevius Jr., Officer Anthony Villavaso II and former Officer Robert Faulcon Jr., who were all facing first-degree murder and attempted murder charges.
In addition, he threw out attempted first-degree murder charges against Officers Mike Hunter Jr. and Robert Barrios, and attempted second-degree murder charges against Officer Ignatius Hills.
Federal prosecutors opened an investigation after the judge's actions.

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JESUS!!! What was the purpose of them doing that?!?!?! Not all cops are bad cops, some risk their lives to protect others, but for the ones that just collecting a check and harassing folks, they need to be dealt with SEVERELY.

pure evil.

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Hmm. I never would've thought that I see the day of an innocent civilian being gunned down in cold blood, all in result of seeking food and refuge after a two day natural disaster.

This incident sounds similar to what was spoken on in the HBO documentary "Trouble the Water." I urge everyone to take a look at this film if you already haven't. It details on how much of a wonderful United States of America we live in (end sarcasm)....

ETA: I hope that this inhumane piece of shit who calls himself a cop gets the chair. That is all.

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"In August 2008, a judge quashed indictments against Sgts. Kenneth Bowen and Robert Gisevius Jr., Officer Anthony Villavaso II and former Officer Robert Faulcon Jr., who were all facing first-degree murder and attempted murder charges.
In addition, he threw out attempted first-degree murder charges against Officers Mike Hunter Jr. and Robert Barrios, and attempted second-degree murder charges against Officer Ignatius Hills."


smh................. .....

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This story breaks my heart. These were good people who were fleeing their home to go to their brother's dental office. And Ronald Madison, the man who was shot 7 times ---5 times in the back--- and killed, was mentally retarded and unarmed.