US police on trial over Katrina killings

Five police officers in the US city of New Orleans accused of killing civilians in the days following Hurricane Katrina in 2005 are set to go on trial.

The police, whose trial begins on Monday, originally contended they had come under fire from someone on a bridge and were defending themselves.

Yet no guns were ever found, and the only person charged with attacking the police was cleared of all charges.

After a local judge dismissed the charges against six others, the US Justice Department stepped in and is bringing the officers to trial in a federal court.

But beyond this case, federal authorities say the police department is riddled with deep-rooted flaws.

New Orleans, a city with the highest murder rate in the US, is now struggling to build confidence in the police department it depends on for protection.

Al Jazeera's Tom Ackerman reports from Louisiana.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• New Orleans Police trial
• americasnews
• aljazeera
• louisiana
• katrina
• hurricane
• police brutality

[Yaheuben66]

Katrina was a wet dream-come-true for cops; chaos, desperation and arms-confiscation

[faulconandsnowjob]

How long are people going to stand for this?

[rrhynes]

Katrina is a lesson. Every citizen should be armed. Every citizen should be committed to firing upon anyone in uniform. If they're willing to die to enforce the non-laws, we should accomdate them. When the shit hits the fan, you're on your own. The scumbag National Guardsmen and the local police force should have all been shot as traitors.

[12TabulaRasa12]

very informative video

[bigcity1974]

New Orleans should be an example of People in this world, and how we'll react to National catastrophes. Prepare yourself!!

[Ziru322]

@IsraeliteMessenger Shut up you peice of scum get the fuck out of my country and go kill anyone related to and then yourself maggot.

[therealjakethesnake]

We have too many evil people in this world

[IsraeliteMessenger]

@JohnBullocks Your youtube page says you're from the U.K. What do you mean by some decent white people? MOST of the violent crimes in America are committed by black people or mexicans. I'll bet you're either a communist "jew" or black that's parasiting off of a white country.

[mooncat1965]

What a shame when you have to listen to Al Jezeera to get the "real" news .... this is what a police state looks like. I lost all respect for the police many years ago, and no, I don't have a criminal record.

[earthicastar]

@katards I guarantee you... that is NOT LAW. Sure they CAN (physically), kidnap you and assault you and railroad you... BUT.... they (lawfully), MAY not

[RoccoBih]

They are investigating Seattle as well