A lawyer for Officer Blane Salamoni is optimistic no state charges will be filed against his client for the shooting death of Alton Sterling. Emelie Gunn has more…
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Baton Rouge Police are gearing up for any potential weekend protests as a result of the feds’ decision in the Alton Sterling Case. Jeff Palermo has more…
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The Senate Transportation Committee approves a bill that requires traffic signs to be posted ahead of speed cameras. The proposal by New Orleans Senator Troy Carter is similar to one that passed last year requiring warning signs for red-light cameras. He says this prevents municipalities from using these cameras as a money grab.
The bill was amended to require signs within 500 feet of the camera, but no closer than 250 feet. Carter says this allows for proper signage to discourage the speeder with enough time to slow down safely.
The proposal requires signs to be posted ahead of both moveable and fixed speed enforcement cameras. Another amendment requires that the signs be clearly visible and at the same height of other street signs already in place. Carter says this is another added safety measure of the bill.
Cut 5 (10) “dangerous situation”
The proposal was approved without objection and now heads to the full Senate.
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More details are coming out about the fatal encounter between Alton Sterling and two Baton Rouge police officers on July 5. Community activist Gary Chambers met with DOJ officials following yesterday’s announcement, and he detailed the meeting to Jim Engster on Talk Louisiana. Chambers says Officer Blane Salamoni’s actions that night are disturbing.
Chambers says that comment speaks to the mindset of Salamoni, while Officer Howie Lake was trying to deescalate the situation. He adds Lake never fired his weapon, though he did use his Taser. He says this means Attorney General Jeff Landry can make a great case for state criminal charges against Salamoni.
Chamber says he never expected the DOJ to find civil rights violations because the burden of proof is so high for those charges. But he says state violations are much easier to prove. He’s also upset Salamoni is still receiving a paycheck from BRPD while on leave after this incident.
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John McLindon, the attorney for Blane Salamoni, believes Attorney General Jeff Landry will not seek state charges against his client. Salamoni is one of the officers involved in the fatal police shooting of Alton Sterling and he’s been cleared of any federal civil rights charges. McLindon points to the thorough investigation already conducted by the DOJ on why he thinks Salamoni will not be charged.
The Sterling family reports Salamoni threatened Alton Sterling’s life before the shooting. But McLindon says there was no criminal conduct in this case.
McLindon expects just like the federal investigation, the state’s probe will take a lengthy amount of time. He says these last 10 months haven’t been easy for anyone.
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Baton Rouge Police don’t expect any protests this weekend following the Department of Justice’s decision in the Alton Sterling case, but they’re prepared for anything. Cpl. L’Jean McKneely says they wanted to make sure they weren’t last minute in responding to any potential incidents. So BRPD made some adjustments in their work schedule.
McKneely says aside from three arrests at a protest outside BRPD headquarters the night the decision was leaked, things have been pretty quiet in the Capitol City. But just in case, Live After 5 in downtown Baton Rouge and a 5K scheduled for this weekend have been cancelled.
McKneely says there’s a signed agreement between protestors and law enforcement that demonstrators would abide by the law and police would protect their right to protest. He says officers will be on hand to make sure everyone is safe.
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