Louisiana AG launches investigation into Katrina hospital, nursing home deaths News
Louisiana AG launches investigation into Katrina hospital, nursing home deaths

[JURIST] Louisiana Attorney General Charles Foti [official profile] announced Monday that six hospitals, including the state's major public hospital, Charity Hospital, and thirteen nursing homes are under investigation [JURIST report] to determine whether they mishandled evacuations, abandoned, or euthanized patients when help did not arrive quickly following Hurricane Katrina [JURIST news archive]. At least 140 elderly patients are believed to have died in nursing homes and hospitals during and after the storm. Tenet Healthcare Corporation [corporate website] issued a statement [press release] Sunday that the Attorney General had "removed certain records and other materials" from one of its New Orleans facilities and that the company intends to search all of its facilities under investigation. Last month, Louisiana filed negligent homicide charges [JURIST report] against the owners of a nursing home where 34 elderly residents died. AP has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Charlemagne crowned Holy Roman Emporer

On December 25, 800 A.D., Charlemagne was crowned Holy Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III in Rome, Italy. During his lifetime, Charlemagne united most of Western Europe for the first time since the fall of the Western Roman Empire. He is credited with spreading the rule of law throughout his dominions as well as starting the French and German monarchies.

President Andrew Johnson pardoned Confederates

On December 25, 1868, President Andrew Johnson granted an unconditional pardon to all who had been involved in "insurrection or rebellion" during the US Civil War.