[StBernard] St. Rita's owners plead not guilty in hurricane deaths

[Westley Annis]

St. Rita's owners plead not guilty in hurricane deaths
The owners of a St. Bernard Parish nursing home where 35 residents died
during flooding from Hurricane Katrina pleaded not guilty today to charges
of negligent homicide and cruelty to the infirm.

Mabel and Salvador Mangano, who own St. Rita's nursing home near the
community of Poydras, entered their pleas in state district court in
Chalmette before Judge Jerome Winsberg, who is hearing the case.
Winsberg has not set a trial date, but did set Dec. 7 and Dec. 8 as a
hearing date for any pre-trial motions that might be filed.

The Manganos declined to address the media outside the courthouse. Several
relatives of St. Rita's residents who died during the hurricane gathered at
the courthouse, some carrying signs with pictures of loved ones.

The Manganos remain free on bond.