Not all DAs support the November amendment option that would require unanimous jury verdicts in felony trials, including the 21st Judicial District…
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The overnight hours saw some wild weather pass through the Bayou state. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”
There’s been growing support for the number two amendment option on the November ballot, but not all District Attorneys are on board with the move to require unanimous jury verdicts in felony cases. Tangipahoa, Livingston, and Helena Parish District Attorney Scott Perrilloux says he’s concerned it would delay justice for victims.
DAs in four of Louisiana’s largest parishes, along with both Republican and Democratic state parties have come out in support of the initiative.
Supporters of the amendment say non-unanimous jury laws are racist Jim Crow relics, but Perrilloux the US Supreme Court declared them constitutional, and disallows racial rigging of juries.
During the legislative session Baton Rouge Senator and former prosecutor Dan Claitor came out in support of the amendment saying he knows attorneys would game the system and seek harsher sentences because non-unanimous juries made them easier to try. Perriloux says that’s not true.
Over two million dollars has been raised for a campaign that supports unanimous juries.
The overnight hours saw wild weather passing through the bayou state and brought significant damage to areas across Louisiana, with downed trees, closed roads, and debris. Among the areas impacted, Washington Parish Chief Deputy Mike Haley says two elderly men were injured when the mobile home they were in was turned over by the force of the winds.
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One of the men sustained minor injuries, while the other suffered a broken arm. The parish is declaring a state of emergency. Haley says the area is fortunate to not have seen a worse impact.
Cut 7 (06) “…report of fatalities.”
Rapides Parish also saw downed trees and some businesses are reporting damage as a result of the widespread storm. Sheriff’s office spokesperson Capt. Tommy Carnline says many of the roads were impassable for first responders when checking on residents.
Cut 8 (09) “…sustained any injuries.”
Carnline says it’s important that residents stay off the roads if they don’t have to be there as now is not the time for sightseeing the destruction.
Cut 9 (08) “…these roadways clear.”
Four people were also hurt in Concordia Parish as a result of the storm.
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There’s another month left of the hurricane season, but State Climatologist Barry Keim says it’s highly unlikely we’ll be hit by a notable system in the next 30 days. Keim says if we do get hit, it would be a historic event.
Keim notes there’s always a chance of some development, but the late season climate just isn’t suited to producing hurricanes.
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And if a hurricane were to pop up, chances are it’s staying away from the central and western Gulf of Mexico.
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Thousands lost power in central Louisiana today as the result of a nasty post-Halloween storm that moved through the area early this morning. Cleco spokesperson Jennifer Cahill says they’re calling in extra help to get the lights back on.
Cut 13 (09) “…restoration efforts.“
Cleco had outages in Rapides, Avoyelles and Grant Parishes. Cahill says there’s a chance power could still be out thought he night so if you or someone you know is vulnerable, you may want to make some plans to stay with someone else.