"NOLA police officials have said race was not a factor in the incident."

[undergroundrailroad]

NOPD officers' account of beating disputed


NEW ORLEANS — A retired elementary school teacher who returned to the storm-struck city over the weekend to check on his properties was searching for cigarettes when he was arrested and repeatedly punched in the head by police, the man's lawyer and his father said today.

Robert Davis had not been drinking before he was beaten and taken into custody Saturday night, said attorney Joseph Bruno. The lawyer's comments contradict police reports that allege Davis was publicly intoxicated.

"I didn't do anything. I was going to get a pack of cigarettes and taking my evening constitutional," Davis said.

Meanwhile, a federal civil rights investigation was opened into the beating of the 64-year-old Davis, an incident that was captured on videotape.

[fortyfeetunder]

1. After all the crap that went on post-Katrina...

they expect us to believe race was NOT a factor? I don't think so.

[Karenina]

4. Not 'A' factor

'THE' factor. :eyes:

[jmm]

2. Hi Ma

I just saw the video on tv and it was a whole lot worse than I could've possibly imagined from the article. The following article has links to both the beating and an interview with him afterwords.


NOPD officers' account of beating disputed

[undergroundrailroad]

3. Hi sweetie. Thanks for getting the link to both the beating and interview.

I feel so sorry for Mr. Davis and his family. When I saw that video it made me physically sick and angry.

Thanks J.

Mom :cry: :hug:

[mandyky]

5. I hope the reporter who got it on film can shed more light

A witness is always helpful - I believe the reporter was from the AP...

I can't believe the nerve of them saying race wasn't a factor. It is pretty ovious to anyone with eyes that this was racial. That beating was brutal, and to an old man? yeesh!

[Catherine Vincent]

6. Mr. Davis said he doesn't think it was racial.

Bless his heart. But when me and my mom was discussing this, I told her how does he know it wasn't racial? He doesn't know what was in those cops mind at the time.