Ex-New Orleans Police Officer Gets 25 Years for Slaying Unarmed Civilian in Katrina Aftermath
Expressing disgust at what he called an intentional killing of a man police apparently mistakenly believed to be a looter, federal judge today sentenced a former New Orleans officer to more than 25 years in prison for gunning down an unarmed 31-year-old civilian in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
A rookie at the time, David Warren contended that he had felt menaced by Henry Glover, but U.S. District Judge Lance Africk called that claim absurd, according to the Associated Press and the Times Picayune.
“You killed a man. Despite your tendentious arguments to the contrary, it was no mistake,” the judge told Warren.
He was convicted by a jury in December of manslaughter and deprivation of rights under color of law, reports CNN.
The officer is white and the victim was black.
The judge sentenced another former New Orleans police officer, 26-year veteran Greg McRae, to a 17-year prison term for burning Glover’s body after other civilians drove the victim to a school to try to find treatment for him. Instead of seeking to assist Glover, however, authorities arrested the good samaritans, they contend.
Police allegedly drove the car away with Glover’s body in it and burned it. Glover’s body subsequently was unidentified for a year.
A Pro Publica article provides additional details.
