NEW ORLEANS (CBS/AP) Michael Hunter stood quietly as a judge sentenced the former New Orleans police officer Wednesday to eight years in federal prison for his role in the coverup and deadly shooting of unarmed civilians after Hurricane Katrina.
The sentence from U.S. District Judge Sarah Vance was the maximum allowed, and nine months more than sentencing guidelines recommended.
Vance called the police shooting on the Danziger Bridge that killed two and wounded four civilians, "sickeningly brutal."
Hunter admitted firing at the people on the bridge, even though he knew they were unarmed and posed no threat, but said he did not hit anyone. But Vance pointed out that he did nothing to stop his fellow officers from firing, in fact watching "an officer shoot Ronald Madison in the back at close range."
Ronald Madison, 40, and mentally disabled, and James Brissette, 19, were killed and four wounded as they crossed the bridge in search of food five days after Katrina struck Aug. 29, 2005...[Full Article]
