A week before he was scheduled to die by nitrogen hypoxia, a federal judge in Baton Rouge has granted Death Row Inmate, Jessie Hoffman’s request for an injunction, blocking his March 18th execution. U.S. District Court, Judge Shelly Dick said there should be a trial to hear Hoffman’s claims that death-by-asphyxiation is a cruel or unusual punishment prohibited by the U.S. Constitution. The ruling came Tuesday afternoon after a daylong hearing. Attorney General Liz Murrill said, “We disagree with the district court’s decision and will immediately appeal to the Fifth Circuit.”
Three suspects have now been arrested in connection with the hazing death of Southern University student Caleb Wilson. Kyle Thurman was arrested in Port Allen yesterday, and Isaiah Smith turned himself in this morning. 23-year-old Caleb McCray turned himself in last Friday. Baton Rouge Police Lieutenant L’Jean (ELL-jeen) McKneely says
Caleb Wilson died after being punched in the chest during a hazing ritual with the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. McKneely says it’s possible that more arrests could be forthcoming.
Cut 11 (09) “…have been arrested.”
The city council president in New Orleans is blasting Mayor Latoya Cantrell for attending a mayor’s conference in Washington D.C., despite a city-wide travel ban for all nonessential travel. Sean Richardson has more.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”
There could be another black bear hunting season this winter, and this one would be even bigger than last year’s. The department is looking to expand the areas to include much of South Louisiana. John Hanks, the large carnivore program manager at the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, says the number of tags would go up from 11 to 26 – but your odds of scoring one would be quite long.
Cut 7 (11) “…for those permits.”
If approved, the bear hunting season would run from December 6th to the 21st. The department will accept written public comment through May 1st.