Mistrial Declared in Danziger Bridge Case

A federal judge in New Orleans has declared a mistrial in the case of a retired police officer accused of covering up a deadly shooting of unarmed civilians days after Hurricane Katrina. Eileen Fleming reports the judge is basing the decision on a statement the prosecutor made in front of jurors.

A mistrial was declared after the Justice Department prosecutor in the civil rights case against former Sergeant Gerard Dugue mentioned the name of a man killed by police in an unrelated case. Dugue is accused of covering up a shooting on the Danziger Bridge in the chaotic days after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Dugue testified he didn’t participate in a cover-up and learned years later that the six people shot were unarmed. Two people were killed. Prosecutors will need a new jury before the case can resume.