2 New Orleans detectives accused of post-Katrina shooting cover-up

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The indictments of eleven former and current New Orleans police officers, connected to the deadly shootings on the Danziger Bridge, has cast a pall over the New Orleans Police Department.

It’s a badge that comes with the responsibilities of truth, justice & credibility. Now, with these two NOPD homicide detectives indicted and accused of covering up the Danzinger Bridge shootings, Defense Attorney Robert Jenkins says many inmates will be filing for a retrial.

“Inmates who have had those officers names involved in their cases will be seeking to file something to get some relief on their cases. There’s no doubt about it,” Jenkins said.

But it’s not as easy as it sounds. District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro says just because an officer is convicted of a crime himself it doesn’t automatically mean suspects he’s helped convict will get a new trial.

“If you can demonstrate the officer was lying with some evidence then certainly the judge will give you a new trial,” Cannizzaro said.

As for cases heading to trial where these officers were the lead detectives, Jenkins says it could mean more plea bargains.

But Cannizzaro says they’ll determine that on a case to case basis.

“If for instance he took a statement from a defendant and there is an allegation of some wrong doing in the taking of that statement, we obviously have to look at that case a lot closer,” Cannizzaro said.

Also, Cannizzaro says with the cloud of suspicion looming over the department’s head, it’ll take a toll on potential witnesses as well as jurors.

“They’re going to be reluctant in giving information to the police officers. Jurors in the criminal district court come forward and they read and hear about police officers being indicted. It sorta of challenges the confidence they have in the police officers,” Cannizzaro said.

Cannizzaro also wants to point out is that just because one officer has gone bad, that doesn’t mean every officer is bad.

Of the two officers, Dugue retired earlier this year from the force. Kaufman is on extended sick leave, but will be reassigned to desk duty pending the outcome of the case.