Jena 6: NPR Update
July 7, 2007 by Laura | Trackback URI
NPR:
News & Notes, July 5, 2007 · Six black teens have been charged with the beating of a white high school student in the rural town of Jena, La. Jordan Flaherty, a journalist living in New Orleans, and Caseptla Bailey, the mother of one of the defendants, give an update on the case.
You need to hear this. Caseptla Bailey talks about her son Robert Bailey’s arrest, and Jordan Flaherty provides some great background on the case and on Jena. He notes that the “noose students” came from the elementary school in Jena which is all white. Bailey notes that some blacks and white do interact, but that it’s not the norm in Jena. There’s a lot of segregation, partly because it’s expected, partly because all people everywhere tend to stick with people they know and to their own neighborhoods. She also notes that she’s received some support from whites in Jena since her son’s arrest, and some criticism from black folks. So the race lines are not absolute. But in the case of the justice system in Jena, they are quite clear.
Flaherty recommends that we put as much pressure on D.A. Reed Walters - make sure he knows that the nation’s eyes are upon him! I have never been a big fan of online petitions because politicians don’t really care what people think. They care about what registered voters think. But by all means, call your Congressional representation about this. Call your Rep. and also call - or better yet, send letters - to David Vitter and Mary Landreiu. Contact your Louisiana State senate and house representation. And call LA attorney general Charles Foti. If he’s got time to prosecute BS euthanasia cases, he should also have time to fight on behalf of the living.
I was following your comments with great concern until you diverted my attention by stating “And call LA attorney general Charles Foti. If he’s got time to prosecute BS euthanasia cases, he should also have time to fight on behalf of the living”. How is any murder case a BS case? Tell me if I am wrong, but you are stating that justice for murder victims is not important. Do you suggest that if these young African American boys(or anyone else) are killed then we should not worry about it? Your fight for someones rights is obviously more important than a doctor and two nurses “playing God” and making the decision to KILL helpless people when help was hours away from rescuing them. Please respond.
No murder is BS, but I am more than satisfied that Pou was innocent and that Foti should have known that from very early on. I haven’t posted on that in a long time (and didn’t post when charges were dropped against the nurses) but having worked there (albeit in the IT department), having had dealings with Lifecare staff, having read various accounts, spoken to people who know the accused and heard their views, researched the drugs that were administered, spent many hours studying all available info about the case etc. etc… My opinion is that the case is BS.
Euthanasia does happen with distressing regularity and it is wrong every time. But in my view, it didn’t happen here. I actually started off with a far more negative view of this case and changed my view based on all the info I found on it. I need to do an update post since the charges were dropped, and I seriously doubt Pou will ever be prosecuted. Like Richard Jewell, she’s going to have this hanging over her head for a long time, unfortunately.