[StBernard] [LANDRIEU] Landrieu Calls for Reconciliation Following Jena 6 Dismissal

[Westley Annis]

Sen.  Landrieu Calls for Reconciliation Following Dismissal of Jena 6
Conviction Requests Justice Dept. Review of Cases

 

            WASHINGTON - U.S.  Senator Mary L.  Landrieu, D-La., today
called for reconciliation and clarity in the case of six African-American
high school students accused of assaulting a white classmate following
months of racially motivated incidents at their Jena, Louisiana, high
school.  The June conviction of one of the students, 17-year-old Mychal
Bell, on a reduced charge of aggravated assault was earlier this afternoon
overturned by the Louisiana Court of Appeals.

            "There remains unsettled allegations of unfair treatment of
those indicted," Sen.  Landrieu wrote in a letter today to the U.S.
Department of Justice.  "These allegations have divided the community and
caused concern throughout Louisiana and the country.

            "I believe that the charges and counter-charges have left
everyone unsure and uneasy.  In order to attain real reconciliation in Jena,
we need to bring clarity to the facts of these allegations and to the
handling of all events leading up to the assault.  I believe it is
appropriate for the Department of Justice to conduct a thorough review of
these cases and establish a comprehensive public record of the facts.  It is
vital for the people of Jena, my state and our nation to have full
confidence that justice has been served in this matter."

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