Amid applause and some protests, 7 New Orleans police officers surrender on murder charges

NEW ORLEANS (AP) _ Seven police officers charged in a deadly bridge shooting in Hurricane Katrina's aftermath waded through a roaring crowd of supporters on their way to jail, accepting hand shakes

Wednesday, January 3rd 2007, 6:11 am

By: News On 6

NEW ORLEANS (AP) _ Seven police officers charged in a deadly bridge shooting in Hurricane Katrina's aftermath waded through a roaring crowd of supporters on their way to jail, accepting hand shakes and hugs along the way. Jeers from several protesters only made the cheers grow louder.

Six of the men remained behind bars Tuesday night, charged with at least one count of murder or attempted murder in the Sept. 4, 2005, shootings on the Danziger Bridge less than a week after the hurricane hit. Two people died and four people were wounded.

In a show of solidarity, more than 200 supporters greeted the officers before they were booked and led to their cells. One of the signs in the crowd read ``Support the Danziger 7.'' Another read ``Thanks for protecting our city.''

Near the jail's entrance, a protester shouted ``Police killings must stop!'' and ``Racism must go!'' but was shouted down by the crowd yelling: ``Heroes, Heroes!''

``These men stayed here to protect our city and protect us and this is the thanks that is given to them,'' said Ryan Maher, 34, of New Orleans, who described himself as a civilian with friends in the police department.

Defense attorneys say the seven officers are innocent of the charges.

``It's a serious injustice,'' said Sgt. Henry Kuhn of the Harahan Police Department, one of several uniformed officers from the suburbs who joined the crowd.

Sgts. Kenneth Bowen and Robert Gisevius Jr., officer Anthony Villavaso II and former officer Robert Faulcon Jr., were indicted last week on first-degree murder charges. Officers Robert Barrios and Mike Hunter Jr. were charged with attempted first-degree murder, and Officer Ignatius Hills was charged with attempted second-degree murder.

A judge said there would be no bail for the four accused of first-degree murder. Bail will be $100,000 per count for the other three officers.

Hunter posted bail Tuesday. Michael Glasser, president of the Police Association of New Orleans, said the two others couldn't immediately post bail in part because banks were closed for the national day of mourning for the late President Gerald Ford.

The officers are scheduled to be arraigned Friday. On Wednesday, their attorneys plan to file motions to set or reduce bail for the officers and to quash the indictments.

A first-degree murder conviction carries a possible death sentence. A spokesman for District Attorney Eddie Jordan said Tuesday that prosecutors haven't decided yet whether to seek the death penalty in the case.

The facts of what happened on the bridge remain murky. Police say the officers were responding to a report of other officers being attacked when they came under fire. Police also claim one of the men, Ronald Madison, was reaching for a gun. Madison, a 40-year-old mentally retarded man, and James Brissette, 19, were killed on the bridge.

The coroner said Madison was shot seven times, with five wounds in the back, but the officers' attorneys said all the wounds could have come from a single shotgun blast.

Madison's brother, Lance, denies he or his brother was armed. He said they were running from a group of teens who had opened fire on the bridge when seven men jumped out of a rental truck and also shot at them without warning.