Cops sentenced in post Katrina bridge shooting
Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2012 2:31 pm
From WWLTV.COM
NEW ORLEANS -- Five former NOPD officers were given lengthy sentences for their roles in fatally shooting people and then covering up the incident that occurred on the Danziger Bridge in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
Former Officer Robert Faulcon was sentenced to 65 years in prison, while former Sergeant Kenneth Bowen, Sergeant Robert Gisevius each received 40 years and former Officer Anthony Villavaso received 38 years in prison.
Former Sergeant Arthur Kaufman, convicted only of having been involved in the cover-up, received 6 years in prison.
Faulcon faced the most time of the defendants. He was found guilty of both the coverup and the shooting. Faulcon was the only one of the former officers found guilty of depriving both Brisette and Madison of their civil rights.
Bowen Gisevius, Villavaso were each convicted of conspiracy, deprivation of civil rights and firearms charges, and faced the mandatory minimum sentence of 35 years.
Kaufman, who did not shoot at the victims on the bridge, was convicted for his role perpetuating the cover-up. He was found guilty of conspiracy, obstruction of justice and fabricating witnesses and faced the least amount of time of the officers, from 10 to 12 years. He was the lone defendant who remained free on bond after the August verdicts.
The sentences came after a morning of emotional testimony both in support and against the officers who were convicted in the infamous incident that made national headlines.
The emotion of the family statements was nearly matched by the heartfelt pleas by family and co-workers of the officers who testified that the men were brave warriors looking to help and defend the city in a time of chaos following Hurricane Katrina.
Sherrell Johnson, the mother of 17-year-old James Brissette, who was killed in the hail of gunfire, admonished the convicted officers.
"You're actions were harsh, cruel and abusive," she said. "What happened to your oath to protect and serve? Maybe some day God will forgive you, but I never will."
"These officers shot Ronald down like an animal," said Ronald Madion's brother Lance. "You took the life of an angel and ripped my heart out. You lied for so long, I wonder if you even know what the truth is."
Kent Bowen, the father of Kenneth Bowen, who was convicted of deprivation of civil rights and firearms charges, stated that his son never would have fired a weapon at innocent people and that he would only have fired if he feared that he or someone he cared about was in danger.
Lt. Louis Gaydosh, testifying in support of Bowen, said the officer "was a warrior."
NEW ORLEANS -- Five former NOPD officers were given lengthy sentences for their roles in fatally shooting people and then covering up the incident that occurred on the Danziger Bridge in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
Former Officer Robert Faulcon was sentenced to 65 years in prison, while former Sergeant Kenneth Bowen, Sergeant Robert Gisevius each received 40 years and former Officer Anthony Villavaso received 38 years in prison.
Former Sergeant Arthur Kaufman, convicted only of having been involved in the cover-up, received 6 years in prison.
Faulcon faced the most time of the defendants. He was found guilty of both the coverup and the shooting. Faulcon was the only one of the former officers found guilty of depriving both Brisette and Madison of their civil rights.
Bowen Gisevius, Villavaso were each convicted of conspiracy, deprivation of civil rights and firearms charges, and faced the mandatory minimum sentence of 35 years.
Kaufman, who did not shoot at the victims on the bridge, was convicted for his role perpetuating the cover-up. He was found guilty of conspiracy, obstruction of justice and fabricating witnesses and faced the least amount of time of the officers, from 10 to 12 years. He was the lone defendant who remained free on bond after the August verdicts.
The sentences came after a morning of emotional testimony both in support and against the officers who were convicted in the infamous incident that made national headlines.
The emotion of the family statements was nearly matched by the heartfelt pleas by family and co-workers of the officers who testified that the men were brave warriors looking to help and defend the city in a time of chaos following Hurricane Katrina.
Sherrell Johnson, the mother of 17-year-old James Brissette, who was killed in the hail of gunfire, admonished the convicted officers.
"You're actions were harsh, cruel and abusive," she said. "What happened to your oath to protect and serve? Maybe some day God will forgive you, but I never will."
"These officers shot Ronald down like an animal," said Ronald Madion's brother Lance. "You took the life of an angel and ripped my heart out. You lied for so long, I wonder if you even know what the truth is."
Kent Bowen, the father of Kenneth Bowen, who was convicted of deprivation of civil rights and firearms charges, stated that his son never would have fired a weapon at innocent people and that he would only have fired if he feared that he or someone he cared about was in danger.
Lt. Louis Gaydosh, testifying in support of Bowen, said the officer "was a warrior."