Fiery debate in a House committee today as legislators argue over whether or not a resolution to study policing policy should mention race or George Floyd. The resolution mentioned the killing of black men by white police officers and questioned the treatment of minorities by law enforcement. Haughton Representative Dodie Horton called it racist.
But resolution sponsor Baton Rouge Representative Ted James says people should instead be insulted by ongoing issues of police brutality.
The resolution ultimately passed but was amended to remove any mention of George Floyd. It moves to the House floor.
Louisiana records its 44,000th confirmed COVID-19 case today.
A lawyer representing the family of Thomas McGlothen, a 44-year-old black man who died in police custody, says the four police officers shown in a video beating him, should be fired and charged with murder. McGlothen died April 6th, and the coroner says McGlothen’s death could have been preventable if officers reacted to his medical condition he experienced during the incident. Attorney James Carter says that’s enough proof the responding cops should be fired…
During the regular session, lawmakers passed criminal justice reforms that advocates say will cut down on recidivism. Pelican Institute CEO Daniel Erspamer pointed to one of the reforms, a resolution continuing a commission dedicated to studying criminal justice system funding. He says right now much of the funds come from fines and fees on poor people…