The Leesville Daily Leader from Leesville, Louisiana (2024)

February 18, 2003

Publication:

The Leesville Daily Leaderi

Location:

Leesville, Louisiana

Issue Date:

Tuesday, February 18, 2003

Page:

2

Extracted Article Text (OCR)

Judges not DNA freed four from death row Obituaries hi in in Tips Plus Referral Service austo's iesta Cafg LOTTERY (eb 18 2003) ajtaS Pick 3 Seafood Potato (9 8 0) Pick 4 (5 0 9 4) ligsassgussisa be in he said Sunday afternoon The cause of the fire was still being investigated he said Riggins said City Hall has moved to a city owned building across the street until those of fices can be cleaned up some thing he hopes to have done in a week and a half to two weeks The Police Department will work out of one of the city's two fire stations and a mobile com mand station lent by the Cal casieu Parish Sheriffs Office Riggins said The fire apparent ly broke out about 6:30 pm Sat urday in the attic of an old fire department bay connecting the 40 year old buildings amounts to alxiut $140000 Conroy said the Capella Liw irm has made Arrangements with Jack Capella to continue handling areas of the commis sions legal business where the remaining partners think they need his expertise and experi ence Conroy said ho expects Capel la will continue his role as in ef fect the commission's chief lob byi during discussions with legislators and other officiate in Baton Rouge CajM lla said he continue to help the commission in any matter they nwd me to with the Conroy said Vicky N'eumeyer who represents the Saints nt most commission meetings was one of those who raised ques tions alxiut Cnix dun) roles The Saints have clashed repeat moratorium on lihood that you will be seriously injured increases tenfold You do not want to get to scene number so do whatever it takes and never give up Hit the Attacker Where it Counts The eyes knees throat and groin are very vulnerable good places to gouge and kick But listen to your instincts and try to determine if a counter at tack by you is the best ap proach If you do decide to fight make sure your first move is as forceful as possible It may be your only hope Try Anything and Every thing Additional approaches are offering your wallet jump ing out at a stoplight doing something to cause an accident or signaling to other drivers If you are thrown into the trunk of a car experts advise you to kick out the back tail lights stick your arm out the hole and start waving wildly The driver see you but everyone else will This trick is said to have saved lives best defenses against violent crimes are awareness and common sense Use them Craft said Call the approval expert today! 866 699 3066 BATON ROUGE (AP) All four men freed from death row since 1996 got out because judges ruled that prosecu tors had done wrong not because of DNA tests Nationwide DNA evidence was the basis for freeing nine of the 38 people who have left death row since 1996 But none of the four freed in Louisiana could have used a state law that lets in mates ask for a DNA test DNA played little or no role in their convictions And because DNA isn't always available in death penalty cases the law is useless to many on death row said Avoyelles Parish District Attorney Charles Riddle a former state legislator New DNA technology would probably con firm the guilt of some people on death row Riddle said may be that the few that have had the benefit of the new statute arc really Riddle said "I predict that very few death penalty cases will he overturned by DNA be cause of that" Without the benefit of that law and DNA evidence the decision about upholding a death sentence is left in the hands of appeals judges said retired judge Robert Burns Burns is heading a Louisiana State Bar committee studying the death penalty sys tem in the state Rulings by appellate judges are fallible leaving the state with no way of being cer tain those on death row belong there Burns said is a system with a big problem" he said Curtis Kyles and Shareef Cousin sent to death row in unrelated New Orleans mur took office State Sen Cleo ields Baton Rouge said he will propose a moratorium on execu tions this year His proposal two years afjo was turned down A moratorium halting executions for a year or two hurt anybody" while the issue is studied he said of us want to put an innocent per son to ields said can't bring someone back to life after thev've been exe cuted" Burns said his group is looking to im prove the system But he said it rec ommend a moratorium or ending the death 1 penalty in Ixiuisiana Burns who handled eight capital cases in' 18 years as a state district judge in Jefferson' Parish said he was surprised that DNA wasn't a factor in the death row releases would have thought that most of the cases would be DNA" Burns said Riddle said there's no need for a moratori um The appeals process plays a key role in halting executions while DNA is tested and in guarding against prosecutorial miscon I duct he said Earl Taylor the district attorney in Si Landry Parish agreed believe the best protection is the judge the jury and tho entire apxdlate process" Taylor said "The fact that there were four exonerations indicates that the apxdlate pnx'exs works" Burns said he wants to see the entire sys tern work tetter eqeciflHy since DNA which can positively identify someone plays such a small role in convictions being over turned Continued from page 1 tory has sown that serial killers and other criminal predators of ten play on the sympathies of unsuspecting women to lure them into dangerous situations If someone asks for the time di rectors or help in or around their car be as courteous as pos sible but keep moving You can always assist the stranger by making a phone call to police from a safe location or by find ing others to go back and help with you Change It Up Regularly change your walking routine Plan out a few different routines that you cu take and mark in your mind as intervals along the way In the event of attacks you can stop at these shops or homes where you know you will be safe Try to in corporate these houses every time you vary your route Be Paranoid and Suspi cious It is always better to be safe than sorry When in a park ing lot look at the cars parked on either side of your vehicle If a male in a vehicle is sitting along in the seat nearest your car or if you are parked net to a van always enter your car from the side opposite the strange ve hicle If the parking lot is partic ularly dark or deserted it may be wise to go back and find a friend or guard who can walk you to the car 1 If you have the misfortune of becoming the victim of a violent situation the most important thing is to react immediately Craft also offers these tips: 4 Run Run Run If the predator has a gun but you are not under his control take off Experts say he will only hit you a running target four out of event 100 shots And even then it is most likely will not be a vi tal organ Stay Put Do not let your attacker take you to an aban doned area If he does the like is no conflict of inter est We have satisfied ours lve in that regard" Conroy said He said the commission's le gal contract is with the Cajxlla Law irm not with Capella per sonally and that Capella no longer is an owner of that firm Cajx lla a former interim Jef ferson Parish district attorney said he sold his interest in the firm effective Jan 1 tn his two partners David Hotter and William Starr Caella founded the firm in the early 1990s alxiut the same time he began representing the Sujwdome Commission Ho has been the lead attorney for the commission formally known as the Louisiana Stadi um and Exposition District dur ing former Gov Edwin Edwards' last term and Gov oster's two terms The law firm's contract with the commission this fiscal year raternity members arrested in hazing NATCHITOCHES (AP) Northwestern State Universityxlice arrested 12 fraternity members riday for allegedly hazing a pledge The Kappa Alpha Psi frater nity also has been suspended pending further investigation and the fraternity is cooperating with the probe university spokesman David West said Police said a fraternity pledge was beaten during initiation cer emonies on eb 2 and eb 9 at two off campus locations The pledge who has left the university suffered bruis es to his upper body but his in juries were not serious and he was not hospitalized Because of school policy re garding students' privacy West said he could not confirm whether the withdraw al from Northwestern related di cdly witli Capelin and other Dome officiate oxer the years during negotiations about the terms of their contract to play at the and discussions of whether the state should build the team a new stadium The commission currently ix overseeing extensive renova tions of the Saints' training facil ity Cajx Iln would not cify the areas where he represents the Hornet or their ro wnm George Shinn and Ray Wooldridge He said he ex plained that to the commission ers and they were sattefn He said oster and his execu tive counsel Bernie Boudreaux also are satisfied with the arrangements nnd te lieve that his roles do not violate alate ethics rules rectly to th alleged fraternity related beatings The suspects were booked on charges of simple battery aggra vated battery and hazing uni versity police detective Doug Prescott said All suspects were released on $2000 bond He said there could te more arrests West said that under state law the smqx cti stu dents would be expelled if found guilty on criminal hazing charges The university exjx cte to pass along the findings of its in vestigation to state prosecutors soon West said The fraternity does not have a house on or off campus Its members generally live either in private residences nearby or in school housing Dorothy Coleman uneral services for Dorothy Coleman 72 of Leesville will I Wednesday eb 19 at 11 am in the Labby Memorial Chapel Leesville with the Rev Williams officiating Burial will follow at the New Leesville Cemetery Coleman died Thursday eb 13 in Leesville She was born Benson La but spent most of her life in Vernon Parish She was member of St Paul Baptist Church and was a homemaker Survivors include her husband John Coleman of Leesville two daughters Phyllis Smith of Leesville and Elizabeth Shaw of Mil waukee Wisconsin two brothers Richard Holloway and Oscar Hol loway both of Shreveport She had six grandchildren and one great grandchild ders as well as Michael Graham and Albert Ronnie Burrell both imprisoned for a double murder in armerville were released since 1996 Judges did not find any of them innocent Rather the judges overturned their convic tions because prosecutors withheld signifi cant evidence and information from the de fense Prosecutors decided not to retry the cases Louisiana is third in the nation since 1996 tn releasing death row inmates among the 38 states that employ the death penaltv Not everyone agrees that the releases in dicate a problem To some they show that the system works sure don't see a problem" said state Rep Steve Scalise Metairie an outspoken supporter of the death penalty Defense attorney Nick Trenticosta dis agrees and wants a death penalty Trenticosta said Louisiana in recent vears and four released in the last seven years don't add up He said that same kind of reasoning led former Illinois Gov George Ryan to commute all death sentences on his last day in office Ryan said he couldn't be sure that the death penalty was te ing administered prop erly Ryan's act didn't free the death row in mates but convert ixi their sentences to prison time oster who look office in January 1996 is against a moratorium on executions The death penalty remains a useful tool for the criminal justice system he aid oster said he personally reviewed the files in each of the five executions since he Ethel Burke Graveside services for Ethel Burke will be at 2 pm Tuesday eb 18 under the direction of Thomas Mortuary Burke died Wednesday eb 12 in Byrd Regional Hospital in Leesville Need a loan? Turned down everywhere else? Credit Problems? We Can Help Specializing in Auto Loans Mortgages Debt Consolidation and Business Loans A Hi Hwy 171 South DeRidder (next to Stage Coach Inn) 462 3046 4pm till close di I very IhursiLiy Ernest Craig Buxton Sr uneral services for Earnest Craig Buxton Sr 50 of Houma will be Tuesday eb 18 at 3 pm in the Labby Memorial uneral Home Chapel in DeRidder with the Rev Ned Barrett officiating Burial will follow in Beauregard Cemetery under the direction of Labby Buxton died riday eb 14 in Terrebonne General Medical Cen ter in Houma He was born in DeRidder and was a graduate of DeRidder High School He formerly resided in Lake Charles and Leesville prior to moving to Houma He was a US Army veteran having served in the Vietnam War Survivors include his wife Karen Harris of Houma son Ernest Craig Buxton Jr of Biloxi MS daughters Yi Misty Buxton of Seat tle WA Jennifer Harris of Houma and Stephanie Harris of ort Smith Ark and a brother Phillip Green of Lake Charles He had 10 grandchildren Visitation will be from 10 am until the time of service in the Labby Memorial uneral Home Chapel Superdome chief: dome lawyer can represent tenant too NEW ORLEANS AP) One attorney can represent both the Superdome and one of it biggest tenants as long as those dealings don't overlap say mem bers of the Superdome Commi sion Jack Capella the commis sion's longtime attorney now also represents the New Orleans Hornets They are the main ten ant of the New Orleans Arena built and overseen by the com mission but managed by a pri vate firm Capella and commissioners say they don't see any conflict because Capella will not repre sent the Hornets on any issues involving the commission or oth er slate agencies It did not act after a closed door session Thursday to discuss status but Chairman David Conroy himself a lawyer and other members said later they are satisfied Vinton buildings damaged by fire VINTON (AP) ire dam aged City Hall and the Police Department and police know how much be able to save just smoke damage in City Hall pretty much but in side the police department be tween water and smoke and some fire pretty much Police Officer Tyler Roach said Sunday unknown right now if go ing to be able to salvage any Mayor David Riggins optimistic asking me it appears lost that whole department It appears to be a the numbers five executed If Sb Agggg fee iae 11 uyr WHKXai an the Web iiT Visit our website AA npMfpawjw vyyywmofrislacom 1 1 REAL XSTATE 400 Sewth Mi Mirt 400 6th Street 2 J9 JM6 5 i mSneiuimtM wwwmorrislacom 7 1 INTERNET Web Page us correct the situation or redelivery or correction for next day delivery please call 337 239 3444 Monday through ri day 8 a tn 11 am and Sunday from 9 11 am wwwleesvilledailyleadercom Mail ldleaderOworldnetlanet' Subscription Rates $93 per year in pansh $11110 per year outside the parish in stater $13889 per year outside the state? 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About The Leesville Daily Leader Archive

Pages Available:

188,109

Years Available:

1901-2015