60 New Orleans police officers fired for abandoning posts during Katrina News
60 New Orleans police officers fired for abandoning posts during Katrina

[JURIST] New Orleans Police Chief Warren Riley [official profile] said Thursday that the city has fired 60 police officers and suspended 25 more for failing to show up for duty during Hurricane Katrina [JURIST news archive]. Riley, who was sworn into office on Nov. 28, stated that cleaning the police department's image was a top priority. During the hurricane many officers were stranded and unable to communicate with bosses, others are accused of abandoning their posts. Police officials have completed 42 of 228 disciplinary hearings [JURIST report] of officers accused of abandoning their posts. AP has more.

Previously in JURIST's Paper Chase…

THIS DAY @ LAW

38 Santee Sioux hanged by US for rebellion

On December 26, 1862, 38 Santee Sioux men were hanged in a mass execution for their roles in a rebellion against US authorities in Minnesota which left hundreds dead and made refugees of some 40,000 white settlers. Government annuities promised under a treaty with the Sioux had failed to arrive on schedule and credit for purchases was not advanced in the meantime, threatening the tribe with starvation. The Santee Sioux Tribe's members were deported first to South Dakota and ultimately to Nebraska, where they remain today. Learn more about the 1862 Minnesota Sioux Rebellion.

Louis XVI put on trial during French Revolution

On December 26, 1792, Romain de Sèze, a defense attorney for deposed King Louis XVI, presented a defense of his client. The former King was on trial before a French Revolutionary court on thirty-three charges, including treason and other crimes against the state. He was convicted on January 15, 1793 executed by guillotine on the following January 21.