Two death row inmates in Caddo Parish have learned their execution dates this week. Andrew Greenstein reports Caddo Parish has a disproportionate number of death row inmates in the state – despite it having a Democratic district attorney.
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Baton Rouge prosecutors reach a plea deal with a man who killed his pregnant girlfriend and her two-year-old son three years ago. Colleen Crain reports…
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Louisiana tax filers can use United Way Southwest Louisiana’s My Free Taxes app, a free online tax filing service. Sean Richardson has more.
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Despite having a Democratic district attorney, Caddo Parish, which includes Shreveport, has a disproportionate number of inmates on death row. In general terms, Republicans tend to support capital punishment much more than Democrats. So why the anomaly? LSU Shreveport political science professor Jeff Sadow (SAD-ow) says many of those death row inmates were sentenced years ago.
Cut 4 (09) “…anti-death penalty.”
In fact, those district attorneys employed prosecutors who were very aggressive in seeking the death penalty. Sadow says the current district attorney, James Stewart, fully supports the judgement of his predecessors.
Cut 5 (08) “…to capital sentences.”
Sadow says Stewart will not stand in the way of judges signing death warrants, like what Judge Donald Hathaway did this week in setting execution dates for Darrell Draughn and Marcus Reed.
Cut 6 (07) “…in the past”
The 53-year-old Draughn is scheduled to be executed May 28th for stabbing his neighbor, 64-year-old Lauretta White, to death in 2000. The 47-year-old Reed will be put to death June 4th for killing three young men who he had erroneously thought had stolen his ex-girlfriend’s X-Box.
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A Baton Rouge man who killed his pregnant girlfriend and her two-year-old son reaches a plea deal with prosecutors. Three years ago, 23-year-old Brynnen (BRIN-in) Murphy shot and killed his pregnant girlfriend, 24-year-old Kaylen Johnson, and he threw her two-year-old son, Kaden, off a bridge. East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar (HILL-er) Moore says Johnson’s family wanted to avoid a trial.
Cut 7 (15) “…for some time.”
Murphy pleaded guilty to two counts of manslaughter and one count of first-degree feticide. Moore says he would have had no trouble convicting Murphy of the second-degree murder charges he was originally facing.
Cut 8 (11) “…and their future.”
Despite the lesser charges that Murphy pleaded guilty to, Moore says he will never see the light of day again from outside a prison setting.
Cut 9 (14) “…a life sentence.”
Murphy will be formally sentenced June 10th.
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United Way Southwest Louisiana has launched My Free Taxes, a free online tax filing service for U-S tax filers earning up to 84-thousand dollars a year. The platform helps users file federal and state taxes quickly, with most completing their returns in under an hour. United Way Southwest Louisiana Associate Director of Community Impact Kimberlie Heckard says it includes guides for small business owners, gig workers, and those affected by federally declared disasters.
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Heckard says since 2020, the program has saved nearly 30-thousand people over three-million-dollars in tax prep fees while ensuring they claim eligible deductions and credits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit.
Cut 11 (12) “…forms that you get”
Heckard says the program guarantees secure and accurate tax filing.
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Free services cover W-2 income, self-employment, education expenses, and more. Taxpayers can file online at MyFreeTaxes.com, or they can schedule an appointment with a volunteer at unitedwayswla.org/vita or by dialing 211.
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Senator Bill Cassidy has introduced “The Defining Male and Female Act.”
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Senator Cassidy says the legislation he introduced last week with Kansas Senator Roger Marshall, who like him is also a doctor, would codify one of President Trump’s executive orders.
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Cassidy says his legislation would make accommodations for people born with chromosome variations.
Cut 15 (10) “…allows for that.”
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Derek Carr is set to return for his third season as the Saints starting Q-B but that hasn’t stopped first-year head coach Kellen Moore from doing his homework on the quarterbacks in the upcoming draft. Moore traveled to see Miami’s Cam Ward and Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart perform at their pro days. Moore on what he looks for when he’s evaluating a quarterback…
Cut 16 (14) “…you can.”
Moore spoke with reporters at the NFL Owners’ meetings. Moore says the team added real value during free agency, highlighted by the signing of safety Justin Reid, who just won a Super Bowl with Kansas City….
Cut 17 (22) “…up with him.”
The Saints also re-signed tight end Juwan Johnson to a three-year, 30.8 million dollar deal. The 28-year-old Johnson had a career-high 50 receptions last season, but Moore believes he can make Johnson an even bigger threat in the passing game.
Cut 18 (20) “…add to his game.”