Archive for January, 2012
Bloom Legal Video Blog: Seth talks about DWI
January 31st, 2012 | Posted in Personal Injury by bloom | No Comments »
Is NOPD’s Practice of Revealing Slain Victims’ Rap Sheets Racist?
January 30th, 2012 | Posted in Courts, Local Issues, NOPD by bloom | No Comments »
Harry “Mike” Ainsworth was walking his two sons to the bus stop when he heard a woman scream. He ran to the scene to discover she was being carjacked – and intervened. The woman escaped physically unharmed, while Mike Ainsworth was shot to death by the carjacker.
When police released details of Ainsworth’s murder, they also announced he had been arrested for drug possession and other non-violent crimes in the past, keeping with a year-old policy in which the criminal records of murdered victims are available to the public.
NOPD says this practice gives the public a more complete picture of the incident and shows that many victims of violent crimes are themselves convicted criminals. Police Superintendent Ronal Serpas said publicizing arrest records gives a better picture of the killing, which authorities said usually involves young men who are killing people with similar backgrounds.
Serpas estimated 62 percent of those killed in 2011 had prior felony arrests.
Families of the dead victims say the practice is insensitive at a time when they are trying to cope with the loss of a loved one. Others are outraged with the policy, saying that it carries racial overtones – that African Americans and other minorities are predominantly violent criminals – and implies that the victims got what they deserved.
This is obviously a contentious issue – what do you think? Is NOPD just trying to better-inform the public or are they unfairly profiling victims? Comment below or reply to @BloomLegal on Twitter.
If you or anyone you know has been arrested and charged with a violentcrime, call Bloom Legal at 504-599-9997 for immediate help and a free case evaluation.
Connecticut Man Sentenced to Die for “Unimaginable” Crime
January 27th, 2012 | Posted in Legislation, National Issues, Personal Injury by bloom | No Comments »
A Connecticut judge has sentenced Joshua Komisarjevsky, 31, to die today for the brutal murder of a mother and her two daughters during a home invasion in 2007. “This is a terrible sentence, but one you have written for yourself,” Judge Jon Blue told Komisarjevsky in New Haven Superior Court. “Your crime was one of unimaginable horror and sadness,” the judge said. “Your fate is now in the hands of others. May God have mercy on your soul.”
Jennifer Hawke-Petit, 48, was raped and died of strangulation. Her daughters died of smoke inhalation as the home was set afire. Hawke-Petit’s husband, Dr. William Petit Jr., was tied up and beaten, but escaped before their home went up in flames. “July 23, 2007, was my own personal holocaust,” Petit Jr. said. “Evil does live among us.”
Komisarjevsky targeted Hawke-Petit and her younger daughter at a grocery store and later went with Hayes to their home as the family slept, police said he confessed to investigators. He bashed Petit with a baseball bat, tied him up and ransacked the home.
Police caught Komisarjevsky and his accomplice, Steven Hayes, 48, as they tried to flee.
Komisarjevsky’s sentencing brought to 11 the number of men on the Connecticut’s death row, according to the Death Penalty Information Center.
Connecticut has executed only one person, in 2005, since the death penalty was reinstated in the United States in 1976, the center said.
DWI Checkpoint Friday Night 1/26 – Faubourg Marigny!
January 26th, 2012 | Posted in DUI/DWI, NOPD, Traffic by bloom | No Comments »
NOPD has issued a statement today indicating that it will be conducting a sobriety checkpoint FRIDAY NIGHT (1/26) in the Faubourg Marigny area from approximately 10pm to 5am. No specific indication as to the location of the checkpoint will be released.
Drivers are advised to have the proper documentation (proof of insurance, registration, driver’s license, etc) available if requested.
Check out our printable Glovebox Reference Guide for information regarding how to respond when pulled over or arrested for DWI.
While we certainly do not condone this type of behavior, should you or someone you know get behind the wheel after a night at the bar and get arrested or charged with a DUI/DWI, Bloom Legal is here (504-599-9997) to provide assistance to you in getting all of your affairs back in order.
-Bloom Legal LLC 700 Camp St Ste 212 New Orleans, LA 70130-
Jazz Fest 2012 Adds a Surprise Headliner: Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band
January 25th, 2012 | Posted in Local Issues by bloom | No Comments »
Springsteen performs at Jazz Fest in 2006
In 2006, during the first Jazz Fest since Hurricane Katrina, Bruce Springsteen arguably gave the most powerful and emotionally-charged performance the four-decade long festival had ever seen. “I thought it was one of the most extraordinary things I’ve ever seen, and I’ve seen thousands of shows,” Quint Davis, the festival’s longtime producer and director said. “Reverend Springsteen held church, and ministered to a flock.”
Now, after a six year absence, the Boss will return to headline the Acura Stage on April 29, the first Sunday of Jazz Fest. His opening acts will be Dr. John and John Mayer, artists that would be major headliners themselves anywhere else.
The deal was done last-minute, and involved both savvy business maneuvers and musical diplomacy to secure a full set for Springsteen. Given Springsteen’s history with Jazz Fest, he is “part of our festival DNA,” Davis said. “We’re thrilled that he still has New Orleans in his heart and that he’s coming back to play Jazz Fest with the E Street Band.”
Notorious ‘Bama Fan, Brian Downing, Released on $10,000 Bond
January 23rd, 2012 | Posted in Celebrity Justice, Sexual Harassment, Sports by bloom | 1 Comment »
Brian Downing being booked at Central Lockup in New Orleans
What Russell County Sheriff and Downing’s second cousin, Heath Taylor, described as a “minute of misconduct” following Alabama’s National Championship victory on January 9 will likely haunt Mr. Brian Downing for the rest of his life.
32-year-old Downing faces a felony charge of sexual battery for allegedly putting his genitals on an unconscious LSU fan’s face at the Krystal on Bourbon St. following the game. The incident was videotaped and went viral across the internet within days. If convicted, he will have to register as a sex offender nationally and notify authorities whenever he changes his home address.
To make matters worse, Downing was fired from his job at Hibbett Sports shortly after it became public that police had identified him in the video. He is also married and has a newborn daughter. Surely, Downing’s severe consequences illustrate how a brief episode of irresponsibility can damage someone’s life for a very long time.
If you or anyone you know has been arrested, call Bloom Legal at 504-599-9997 for immediate help and a free case evaluation.
Alabama Man Arrested for Involvement in Viral Post-BCS Video
January 20th, 2012 | Posted in Legislation, Local Issues, NOPD, Personal Injury by bloom | No Comments »
Brian Downing, 32, of Smiths Station, Alabama, was arrested late Wednesday in connection with an incident that involved abusing an unconscious LSU fan at the Krystal on Bourbon Street. The event was videotaped and uploaded to the internet, where it spread like wildfire.
Police booked Downing on charges of sexual battery and obscenity. He was videotaped Jan. 9 “placing his genitals on an LSU fan’s face. The LSU fan appears to be heavily inebriated and practically unconscious,” a police statement said.
Downing surrendered himself to police peacefully after meeting with his attorney in New Orleans. He was encouraged to give himself up because of his family connection to Russell County, Ala., Sheriff Heath Taylor, who earlier Thursday had said Downing was on his way from Alabama to New Orleans to surrender.
If you or anyone you know has been arrested, call Bloom Legal at 504-599-9997 for immediate help and a free case evaluation.
One Party Ends, Another Begins
January 10th, 2012 | Posted in Local Issues, Mardi Gras, Sports by bloom | No Comments »
The pigskin revelry may be over in New Orleans after Monday’s college National Championship game, with Alabama shutting out LSU 21-0, but the city is far from done. Mardi Gras kicks off in just over a month, and another sports nirvana – the Final Four – will be hosted here at the end of March. Not only will New Orleans continue to be the focus of a powerful media lens, but the economic boom of thousands of tourists spending money on hotels, restaurants, and merchandise will grow even stronger. It’s a good time to be a New Orleanian!
Saints Move on in Playoffs – Next Stop: San Francisco
January 9th, 2012 | Posted in Local Issues, Sports by bloom | No Comments »
Saints' safety Roman Harper tackles 49ers quarterback Alex Smith
The Saints ended the Lions’ season Saturday night with a scintillating 45 to 28 victory. Their next stop on the road to the Superbowl are the San Francisco 49ers, who hold the #2 seed in the NFC and arguably boast the league’s best defense. This will be an extremely close game, for sure. Here are three key things the Saints need to do to come out on top:
1. Keep the pressure off Brees. The 49ers have an excellent defensive line in Aldon and Justin Smith, so Saints’ center Brian De La Puente needs to step up and protect the pocket so Brees has time to throw.
2. Score in the red zone. The Saints are only 7 for 22 on touchdowns scored in the red zone on grass this year. They will have to make the most of their opportunities in this game because the Niners allow red zone TDs only 25% of the time.
3. Maintain the run game. Much of the reason why Brees has been so deadly this season is that the Saints’ offensive attack is multidimensional with the addition of Darren Sproles and the strong play from both Pierre Thomas and Chris Ivory. The Niners have the league’s best run defense. To win this game, the Saints must be a threat on the ground to create more opportunities to score.
The game kicks off at 4:30 PM Eastern time this Saturday, January 14th.
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