Danziger Bridge Charges Go Away

Charges against the "Danziger Seven", were thrown out of court by Criminal District Court Judge Raymond Bigelow on a tecnicality. The judge concluded that a prosecutor violated grand jury secrecy regarding the incident.

Killed on the Danziger Bridge six days after huricaine Katrina were Ronald Madison, a 40-year-old mentally retarded man who was shot in the back as he fled, and James Brissette, 19, also killed in a barrage of gunfire. Four other people were severely wounded, including Susan Bartholomew, whose arm was partially blown off. Bartholomew's husband, daughter and nephew were also shot multiple times.

Survivors of the shooting state they were unarmed and ambushed by the officers as they were attempting to cross the bridge for help. Police testified that there had been reports of snipers firing at helicopters from the bridge. No weapons were ever recovered from those who were shot.

After Ronald Madison was killed, shot seven times in the back and shoulder, his older brother Lance was arrested and booked with attempted murder, accused of shooting at the officers. Lance Madison, a longtime employee of FedEx with no criminal record, was subsequently cleared by the same grand jury that indicted the officers.

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Danziger Video: Letten talks about plea deal