Rayne Police Officers who Fatally Shot Black Man 21 Times Returning to Duty

Two Rayne police officers facing manslaughter charges are set to go back on patrol after almost two years. A judge ruled the men can once again can carry firearms, because prosecutors have taken too long to bring the case to trial. Daniel Boulet and Marlo Forman are accused of misusing deadly force in the September 2003 shooting of 30-year-old Derrick Francis. The firearms restriction had confined the men to desk jobs while the shooting is investigated. Police Chief Geroge Melancon says he plans to return the officers to regular patrol duty today (Thursday). The family of Derrick Francis has filed a wrongful death suit against the city and the two officers. The officers were responding to complaints that a car was ramming other vehicles in Rayne. The officers allegedly fired a total of 20 bullets at Francis, who was not armed. Francis died from a shot to the head. On Wednesday, Trahan lifted the restriction, ruling that the maximum 180 days had passed since the men filed for speedy trial in February 2004. "I have never seen anything like this," Francis' father, Bradley Francis, said of the officers returning to patrol. "They killed my son. His hands were up, and they shot him."  Assistant District Attorney David Smith said the delay occurred because the case was reassigned to him. District Attorney Mike Harson has declined to comment on the reason for reassignment, but said, "the action should have been moved along a little quicker." The officers, who have denied wrongdoing, could be sentenced up to 40 years in prison if convicted of manslaughter. [more] and [more]