The Wife of a Black Officer Pulled out of car by her hair
New Orleans' police department, its image already suffering in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, is investigating new allegations of brutality: claims that three white officers beat up the wife of a black officer this week. The probe comes less than a week after two former officers _ both white _ were indicted on felonies in the French Quarter beating of a black retired teacher, violence caught by an Associated Press news crew covering the storm's aftermath in October. On Wednesday, Jonie Pratt had a black eye, a swollen forehead and a brace on her fractured left wrist. Pratt's mother-in-law, Dulcie Scott, said the injuries were inflicted after police pulled Pratt over, claiming she ran a stop sign. Pratt is the wife of Desmond Pratt, a 10-year veteran of the police department, and sister of officer Nancy Parker, a three-year member of the force. "It's my understanding that one of the officers spoke the word 'black' during the incident," said Lt. Simon Hargrove, president of the Black Organization of Police. "Why would a person do that if race wasn't involved?" The FBI said it is conducting a preliminary inquiry to determine whether the case warrants further investigation. Pratt was charged with flight from an officer, battery, resisting arrest, running a stop sign and making an illegal turn. The woman drove to her house in a middle-class area of the city before pulling over. "I saw an officer pull Jonie out of the car by her hair," said Scott, who was baby-sitting her grandchildren at the couple's house. "He was swearing at her and pounding her into the car. I said, 'Stop that, that's Officer Pratt's wife.'" Scott said the officer twisted Pratt's arms behind her and sprayed Mace in her face. She said that two more white officers arrived and that the three shoved the 5-foot-2 Pratt to the ground and knelt on her back, and an officer kicked her in the head. The white officers refused to believe that Pratt, a schoolteacher on leave since Katrina, lived in the house she claimed was hers, Scott said. [more]
- Citizen panel to advise New Orleans police [more]
Charges dropped against Black man Beaten by New Orleans police
The retired teacher whose beating by New Orleans police officers was caught on videotape says prosecutors have decided to drop the charges that had been filed against him. Robert Davis had pleaded not guilty to charges including public intoxication, resisting arrest and battery on a police officer and public intimidation. His lawyer had said last month that he expected the charges to be dropped. Two officers are charged with battery against Davis, while a third is charged with battery against a reporter who witnessed the October incident. An Associated Press Television News crew covering the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina captured it on video. [more]