By Matt Pearce
Judge Arthur L. Hunter reads court documents following hearings at Orleans Parish Criminal District Court in New Orleans May 23, 2007.
Each of the seven defendants has been charged with a serious crime (click here) — including murder, rape, armed robbery or assault with a firearm.
Now a Louisiana judge is threatening to set them free before their cases have a chance to go to trial.
In an effort to pressure state lawmakers to provide more reliable funding for public defenders, Orleans Parish Judge Arthur Hunter Jr. on Friday ordered that all of the men be released on the grounds that the state is violating their right to a competent defense.
The judge immediately stayed his own ruling pending an appeal by the district attorney’s office, meaning the men will remain jailed while attorneys continue to battle each other in court over an issue that has plagued Louisiana for years....
I think there needs to be a rehabilitation option such as social services, AAA or NAA when the ARRESTED is released. These arrested individuals are detainees not defendants.
He reads paper. Nice. I like to read off paper (recycled) and books far more than computer junk.
He reads paper. Nice. I like to read off paper (recycled) and books far more than computer junk.
