Courts

Citing "wide ranging" federal probe of Mayor Cantrell, city asks judge to stay this lawsuit

BY MISSY WILKINSON AND JOHN SIMERMAN | Staff writers
22 hrs ago

City attorneys have asked a federal judge to stay a civil rights lawsuit recently filed against Mayor LaToya Cantrell by?French Quarter resident Anne Breaud, citing a "pending, ongoing, wide-r…

Covington man sentenced to 2 months in Jan. 6 riots. 'I sincerely regret my actions.'

By ALEX LUBBEN | Staff writer
Sep 13, 2024

A Covington man was sentenced on Thursday to 60 days in prison for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, riots at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.

After pro-Palestinian encampment, arrests at Tulane, when will protesters stand trial?

BY JOHN SIMERMAN | Staff writer
Sep 6, 2024

The May 1 arrests came after authorities cleared a pro-Palestinian encampment on campus.

Judge delays Donald Trump’s sentencing in hush money case until after November election

By MICHAEL R. SISAK | Associated Press
Sep 6, 2024

A judge agreed Friday to postpone Donald Trump’s sentencing in his hush money case until after the November election, granting him a hard-won reprieve as he navigates the aftermath of his crim…

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Senate committee spars with Orleans DA Jason Williams over prisoner releases

BY JOHN SIMERMAN | Staff writer
Sep 5, 2024

Attorney General Liz Murrill also testifies as DA Jason Williams takes heat over post-conviction plea deals.

Metairie business owner sues Jefferson Parish over Van Vrancken's EAT Fat City deal

BY LARA NICHOLSON | Staff writer
Sep 5, 2024

The owner of a hotel and apartment complex in Metairie’s Fat City has sued the parish over a land swap deal that fell through last year after parish officials ditched plans to build a multi-mi…

Orleans DA Jason Williams set to defend civil rights work at Capitol

BY JOHN SIMERMAN | Staff writer
Updated Sep 4, 2024

Williams' civil rights division has helped some 300 prisoners from Orleans Parish win sentencing relief. Critics say he's gone too far.

Former NOPD commander resigns police chief post in Alaska in deal with prosecutors

BY JOHN SIMERMAN | Staff writer
Sep 4, 2024

Jeffrey Walls, 48, has agreed never to seek a law enforcement job in Alaska or anywhere else in the U.S.

Tammany's new clerk of court discusses first 2 months on job

BY ANDREW CANULETTE | Staff writer
Sep 3, 2024

Jessica Jenkins Brewster spent 18 years as an assistant district attorney in the 22nd Judicial District before deciding to try her hand in the political arena.

Louisiana Supreme Court to look at court delays for attorney-lawmakers in upcoming hearing

BY MATT BRUCE | Staff writer
Updated Sep 6, 2024

State lawmakers who are practicing attorneys have the latitude to postpone legal proceedings in cases they handle if it interferes with their legislative duties.

Suspect in 2021 killing of New Harmony teacher convicted of murder

By GABRIELLA KILLETT | Staff writer
Aug 30, 2024

An Orleans Parish jury convicted a New Orleans man of second-degree murder Friday after a four-day trial in Criminal District Court.?

St. Tammany Parish, developer reach settlement in controversial Covington apartment suit

By ALEX LUBBEN | Staff writer
Aug 30, 2024

A settlement has been reached in the federal lawsuit over a controversial Covington area apartment complex that sparked a heated political skirmish between the St. Tammany Parish Council and P…

On third anniversary of nursing home debacle, Bob Dean's patients still await checks

BY JOHN SIMERMAN | Staff writer
Aug 29, 2024

Dean's former patients still await the bulk of payouts from a class-action settlement reached in late 2022. Medicare liens are proving an obstacle.

Slidell man federally charged with possessing, transporting child porn

By GABRIELLA KILLETT | Staff writer
Aug 28, 2024

A Slidell man accused of possessing child pornography has been charged in federal court, records show.

Two teens arraigned in June killing of French Quarter tour guide

By GABRIELLA KILLETT | Staff writer
Aug 28, 2024

Two of three teens charged in the June fatal shooting of a French Quarter tour guide pleaded not guilty on Wednesday.?

Devil's Swamp Lake Superfund site near Baton Rouge could soon see a $3.2 million cleanup

BY MARK SCHLEIFSTEIN | Staff writer
Aug 27, 2024

Contaminated with a variety of toxic chemicals, including cancer-causing PCBs, the cypress-tupelo freshwater swamp is just north of downtown Baton Rouge.

Why the Louisiana AG and New Orleans DA are at odds over deals for long-serving prisoners

BY JOHN SIMERMAN | Staff writer
Aug 25, 2024

Murrill, who has raised questions about possible "improper" conduct by Williams' civil rights division, met with the district attorney this week.

New Orleans rape trial remains paused after judge accused of dismissing a juror's behavior

By JOSEPH CRANNEY | Staff writer
Aug 23, 2024

Prosecutors said a male juror twice made unwanted advances toward a female member of the District Attorney's Office. Judge Benedict Willard called the woman a "distraction," prosecutors said.

EPA cannot enforce tougher pollution rules in Louisiana's poor and minority communities, judge rules

BY MARK SCHLEIFSTEIN | Staff writer
Aug 23, 2024

The rules were aimed at addressing allegations that Louisiana was not adequately addressing pollution problems in low-income and minority communities.

Retired New Orleans judge Sean Early dies at 67. 'He really was a softy in court.'

BY JOHN SIMERMAN | Staff writer
Aug 23, 2024

Early retired in 2022 after serving 28 years as a municipal court judge in New Orleans.

Slidell man indicted for sexual assault of three children

By GABRIELLA KILLETT | Staff writer
Aug 22, 2024

A Slidell man accused of sexually assaulting three children has been indicted, according to the St. Tammany Parish district attorney's office.?

Baton Rouge appellate judge set to become Louisiana Supreme Court justice in Black district

BY MATT BRUCE | Staff writer
Updated Aug 21, 2024

Longtime First Circuit Court of Appeal judge John Michael Guidry is set to become the newest Louisiana Supreme Court justice after the state court disqualified his two opponents from the race …

A dirty cop molested a victim he'd brought to get a rape exam. Now, New Orleans must pay.

BY JOHN SIMERMAN | Staff writer
Aug 21, 2024

A jury of eight settled on a $1 million award against the city over its hiring and supervision of Rodney Vicknair, who admitted molesting a rape victim he'd befriended.

New Orleans trial halted after judge said to back juror accused of unwanted advances

By JOSEPH CRANNEY | Staff writer
Aug 21, 2024

Judge?Benedict Willard asked a female member of the prosecution to leave after a juror made two advances, court papers say. "You're the distraction. I'll get rid of the distraction."

NOPD on trial over officer who admitted sexually assaulting teen

BY JOHN SIMERMAN | Staff writer
Aug 20, 2024

Rodney Vicknair's victim claims the police department is liable for hiring the officer and leaving him to molest her as a teen.?

'Terminator' actress takes stand as witness in New Orleans rape trial: 'She was in a world of hurt'

BY MISSY WILKINSON | Staff writer
Aug 20, 2024

A registered nurse, a paramedic, a police officer, a rape survivor and actress Linda Hamilton were among the witnesses who took the stand Tuesday in the trial of an alleged serial rapist.

New Orleans teacher met 16 year old on Facebook and paid her for sex, court records say

BY POET WOLFE | Staff writer
Aug 20, 2024

Court documents reveal new details about a New Orleans teacher who was arrested Thursday after allegedly coercing a minor into traveling from Mississippi to New Orleans for commercial sex, acc…

Slidell man convicted after shooting co-worker to death during fight at a car dealership

BY BOB WARREN | Staff writer
Aug 20, 2024

A Slidell man will face at least 20 years in prison after being convicted of shooting a co-worker to death?at a Slidell car dealership in 2022, authorities said.