A bill to add the exceptions of rape and incest to the state’s abortion ban failed in the House Criminal Justice Committee this morning. Bill author New Orleans Representative Delisha Boyd told committee members her own mother was raped for years by someone almost twice her age and pregnant at 15…:

CUT 09(10)      “…by a predator.”

Debbie Melvin, of Thibodeaux, spoke in opposition to the bill. She said the act of abortion is yet another trauma rape victims would endure…:

CUT 10(09)      “…to her.”

After lengthy discussion, the committee voted 10-to-5 to halt the bill’s progress; meaning it is likely dead for the remains of the session.

A bill requiring a person found guilty in fatal DUI cases to pay restitution to the surviving children of the victims until they reach 18 was approved by the House Criminal Justice Committee.  Supporting the bill was Shelby Strong, whose husband was killed by an impaired driver. She says there needs to be something in place to compensate families…:

CUT 08(11)      “…and myself.”

That bill proceeds to the House floor.

Gunned down while getting chicken. New Orleans Police say a man was shot while in his car in the parking lot of a Church’s Fried Chicken on St. Claude Avenue; a well-traveled part of town. The yet-un-named victim was taken to a hospital where he died. NOPD is seeking leads in the case.

State Police are investigating a non-fatal officer-involved shooting early this morning in Bunkie. Details are sketchy as yet, but troopers ask that anyone who may have seen what happened or even recorded it contact them right away.