Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2006/02/05
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Excerpt from 2-05-2006 Houston Chronicle story about New Orleans. The reason
why they printed the story is a lot of those thugs are now in Houston. You
can draw your own conclusions.
New Orleans' crime rate dropped dramatically when the floodwaters emptied
the city of most of its residents.
The New Orleans crime commission's damning report less than a week before
the hurricane said that only 7 percent of those (criminals) arrested were
ever convicted and that 60 percent of all convictions were for misdemeanors.
It also said violent offenses such as murder, rape, battery or assault made
up only 5 percent of all convictions during 2003-04.
Another commission report in March underscored how easy it was for people
with long records to get their bonds reduced and obtain release before trial
on charges of committing violent crimes.
One judge out of 13 was responsible for 83 percent of the commercial bond
reductions the commission studied in 2003-04. The same judge was responsible
for releasing Harris on his own recognizance in at least one case.
As a result, Goyeneche (crime commision head) said, violent criminals
allowed back on the street were frequently able to intimidate victims and
witnesses before trial, resulting in prosecutors dismissing cases they found
nearly impossible to prove.
"Every year, there are one or two people killed who were scheduled to
testify in criminal court," Goyeneche said.
New Orleans' crime rate dropped dramatically when the floodwaters emptied
the city of most of its residents.
Goyeneche said the criminal justice system has a chance to start over.
"It's a huge opportunity," he said. "I think both the police chief and the
DA realize their future depends on what they can accomplish in a few months."
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