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Title: New Orleans judge orders release of seven inmates including 'murderer and rapist' because state cannot afford to pay for their defense attorneys
Source:
Daily Mail Online
URL Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art ... ord-pay-defense-attorneys.html
Published: Apr 10, 2016
Author: Ollie Gillman For Dailymail.com
Post Date: 2016-04-10 08:37:16 by cranky
Keywords: None
Views: 1201
Comments: 10
Seven inmates including an alleged rapist and accused murderer are set to be released in New Orleans because the state of Louisiana cannot afford to represent them. Judge Arthur Hunter ruled that seven suspects should be freed because they cannot afford attorneys and are being denied the right to one by state authorities. Among the accused are suspected killer Darrian Franklin, 40, and alleged rapist Henry Campbell, 21. Seven inmates including an alleged rapist and accused murderer are set to be released in New Orleans because the state of Louisiana cannot afford to represent them. Pictured, alleged rapist Henry Campbell (left) and suspected killer Darrian Franklin (right) Some of them have spent months in jail without any legal representation, which the judge ruled was unconstitutional. Pictured, alleged robbers Alex Bernard and Malcolm Smith (left and right) The five other men - Alex Bernard, Malcolm Smith, Donald Gamble, Joshua Vaughn and Benny Walker - are all alleged robbers, with four of them accused of using a firearm. Some of them have spent months in jail without any legal representation, which the judge ruled was unconstitutional. Hunter ordered the release of all seven of the inmates, but the men will remain in jail for at least the next 10 days. The judge stayed his decision so District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro can consider filing an appeal, which his office says he has the full intention of doing. Hunter ruled that each of the seven men's Sixth Amendment rights had been violated, The Advocate reported. 'The defendants' constitutional rights are not contingent on budget demands, waiting lists and the failure of the Legislature to adequately fund indigent defense,' he wrote. The judge stayed his decision so the district attorney can consider filing an appeal, which his office says he has the full intention of doing. Pictured left to right, Benny Walker, Joshua Vaughn, Donald Gamble Judge Arthur Hunter ruled that seven suspects should be freed because they cannot afford attorneys and are being denied the right to one by state authorities 'We are now faced with a fundamental question, not only in New Orleans but across Louisiana: What kind of criminal justice system do we want? One based on fairness or injustice, equality or prejudice, efficiency or chaos, right or wrong?' The district attorney's office said releasing the men 'poses a clear and present danger to public safety' and that the ruling would be appealed. The accused's cases were rejected by Chief Public Defender Derwyn Bunton because of a gaping hole in his office's budget. Hunter then gave the cases to private attorneys, who have refused to work until they are paid. Bunton said: 'Obviously, the charges involved in these cases are really serious, so I do think folks should be concerned about public safety. 'We wouldn't need to be in this position if they provided the resources that are necessary under the constitution. You can only prosecute as fast as you can defend, and if you can't defend, you can't prosecute.' 
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Begin Trace Mode for Comment # 7.
#1. To: cranky (#0)
Black Lives Matter!
And they all look like such fine upstanding citizens too. Wonder how the families of the victims feel about this? I guess New Orleans is just taking another step towards vigilantism.
If you took notice of our ... shall, we say ... respectable citizens listed in the article, their rap sheets are absent any narcotics violations. Wanna bet they have been using illicit narcotics for years?
No bet.
#8. To: cranky (#7)
You won't take that earlier bet, 'eh? How about betting against the notion that they voted for 0bama not just once but twice?
LOL !!
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#3. To: buckeroo (#1)
" New Orleans judge orders release of seven inmates including 'murderer and rapist' because state cannot afford to pay for their defense attorneys "
#4. To: Stoner, cranky (#3)
#7. To: buckeroo (#4)
Wanna bet they have been using illicit narcotics for years?
Replies to Comment # 7. No bet.
#10. To: cranky (#7)
End Trace Mode for Comment # 7.
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