A judge has dismissed murder charges against seven New Orleans police officers who gunned down two men on a bridge in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
The victims were 42-year-old Ronald Madison and 19-year-old James Brissette. Madison, who was mentally handicapped, was shot seven times, including five times in the back. Four other civilians suffered gunshot wounds in the episode. No officers were hurt or ever in danger.
Witnesses testified that the officers fired at unarmed people crossing the Danziger Bridge to get food at a grocery store. However, Judge Raymond Bigelow concluded that prosecutors violated state law by divulging grand jury testimony to a police officer who was a witness in the case, essentially allowing the murderers to walk free.
The courts routinely acquit cops guilty of murder and other heinous crimes, while poor and oppressed people are sentenced to egregious prison terms for non-violent crimes.
