Mistrial For Officer In Katrina Shootings Probe

Published January 28, 2012 3:36AM (EST)

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Prosecutors intend to retry a retired police sergeant charged with helping cover up deadly shootings on a New Orleans bridge after Hurricane Katrina.

U.S. Attorney Jim Letten made the announcement late Friday but declined to provide further comment.

Earlier Friday, a judge declared a mistrial in the case of Gerard Dugue, ruling that Justice Department prosecutor Bobbi Bernstein may have tainted the jury hearing the trial by mentioning the name of a man who was beaten to death by a New Orleans police officer in a case unrelated to Dugue's.

The judge rejected Bernstein's claim that mentioning Raymond Robair's name couldn't amount to any prejudice against Dugue.

Dugue denied participating in a cover-up, saying he didn't learn until years later that police shot innocent, unarmed people on the Danziger Bridge.


By Salon Staff

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