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TWO CIVIL RIGHTS GROUP HAVE FILED A FEDERAL LAWSUIT OVER THE BAIL SETTING POLICIES IN THE 15TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT, WHICH INCLUDES LAFAYETTE, ACADIA AND VERMILLION PARISHES. THE CIVIL RIGHTS CORPS AND THE MACARTHUR JUSTICE CENTER SAY JUDGES IN THE 15TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT SET BAIL WITHOUT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE DEFENDANTS ABILITY TO PAY IT. THE LAWSUIT FILED MONDAY WAS oN BEHALF OF 37-YEAR-OLD EDWARD LITTLE OF CARENCRO, WHO HAS BEEN SITTING IN JAIL AWAITING TRIAL ON A FELONY THEFT CHARGE BECAUSE HE CANNOT PAY A THREE THOUSAND DOLLAR BAIL. THE TWO GROUPS WANT LOCAL BAIL POLICIES TO BE DECLARED UNCONSTITUTIONAL AND REQUIRE JUDGES TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT A DEFENDANT’S FINANCES WHEN SETTING BAIL.
TWO MEN WHO TRIED TO FLEE FROM POLICE IN SULPHUR WERE CAUGHT AFTER A MANHUNT YESTERDAY AFTERNOON. SERGEANT JAMES ANDERSON OF STATE POLICE TROOP D SAYS A TROOPER ATTEMPTED TO PULL OVER A DRIVER FOR A TRAFFIC VIOLATION, BUT THE DRIVER, 33-YEAR-OLD RONALD ETIENNE OF SULPHUR, ATTEMPTED TO FLEE. WHEN HE DROVE INTO A FIELD AND GOT STUCK, HE AND HIS PASSENGER, 30-YEAR-OLD KENDRICK NELSON SHEPHERD, FLED ON FOOT INTO A WOODED AREA, BUT, WITH THE HELP OF POLICE CANINES, THEY WERE LATER CAPTURED. ETIENNE HAD AN OUTSTANDING ARREST WARRANT WITH THE CALCASIEU PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE.
EUNICE POLICE ARE INVESTIGTING A SHOOTING THAT HAPPENED LAST NIGHT ON EAST MAPLE AVENUE. JULIE DARCE HAS MORE.
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Electric car company Tesla says it will be unable to sell cars directly in Louisiana, under a bill Gov. John Bel Edwards signed into law. Tesla enthusiasts had urged the Democratic governor to veto the legislation, but it was on a list of signed measures released by Edwards’ office Tuesday. The electric car brand is sold through a direct-to-customer model, rather than the franchise dealership relationships other auto manufacturers use. The bill strips language in law that allows limited exemptions to a Louisiana ban on manufacturer-to-consumer sales.
Legislation seeking to protect controversial speakers’ appearances at Louisiana colleges and calling on campuses to penalize students who disrupt them has won final passage from lawmakers, but only after its punishment provisions were watered down. Rep. Lance Harris, chairman of the House Republican Delegation, has said his bill is a response to university decisions to scrap events like Berkeley’s canceling of conservative commentator Ann Coulter’s speech. Harris’ proposal, given final passage with a 94-1 House vote Tuesday, calls on colleges to establish sanctions for students who interfere with “the free expression of others.” But provisions establishing mandatory penalties and allowing campuses to be sued were stripped by the Senate.
Traffic camera enforcement in Lafayette could be on hold, as its local government determines what company will manage the program. The Advocate reports the contract between Lafayette and Redflex ended on Sunday as government leaders were still negotiating with a competing company to run the traffic cameras. Mayor President Joel Robideaux says the cameras will continue taking photos and keep track of violations, although citations will not likely be issued until a new contract is linked. He says all outstanding citations issued through June 4 are considered valid, and others could be issued if a provisional agreement is reached with Redflex.
The trial date has been set for a former sheriff’s deputy in Louisiana who faces charges including sexual battery and malfeasance in office. The American Press of Lake Charles reports that on May 31 Judge Robert Wyatt set Dec. 11 as the trial date for ex-Calcasieu Parish sheriff’s deputy Cody Onxley. Authorities say while on duty in April 2016, Onxley called a woman and went to her home under false pretenses. The victim says Onxley touched her in a sexually inappropriate manner when he was inside her residence.
A LAFAYETTE EDUCATOR IS ONE OF NINE FINALISTS FOR THE STATE TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARD. IT IS SARAH GROS, WHO IS A SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER AT J-W FAULK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN LAFAYETTE PARISH. ALSO TWO ACADIANA ADMINISTRATORS ARE FINALISTS FOR PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR…SARAH ALLEN OF ST. MARTINVILLE PRIMARY AND THOMAS BYLER OF NORTH VERMILLION HIGH SCHOOL. THE WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT A SYMPOSIUM IN BATON ROUGE ON JULY 28TH.
