Comments on: Blood & Ink

By: E.J.

E.J. — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 19:40:47 +0000

I plan to write a letter to the T-P also, and kudos to you for spreading the word and encouraging folks to write the author and the paper. Steve makes a good point; there was a fair amount of detail. The bigger issue is the placement and overall amount of coverage of his murder.

By: Steve

Steve — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 15:18:24 +0000

As a former newpaper reporter from the New Orleans area, I thought the story provided a fair amount of detail on Tank and his life. In the 90s, another era when the citizenry marched on City Hall to protest out of control crime, murders and mysterious deaths would often warrant little more than a paragraph or two in the Metro section.

By: Karen

Karen — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 05:33:30 +0000

I felt pretty gob smacked by the face lift story.

What where they thinking when they wrote that story?

I plan on asking the TP what they are going to do to address our Crime Problem. We were told at out Nonpak meeting tonight that the statistics are avaliable to the TP.
Perhaps we should force the issue with them a bit

By: cord

cord — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 21:33:41 +0000

I read the article about Tank as well…it contained a link to his Myspace page: myspace.com/9thwardwordman

By: mominem

mominem — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 21:26:38 +0000

I think the court watcher thing would be great. If it gets to court.

Does anyone know if the court dockets are on line anywhere? If they aren’t published I don’t know how you could track a single case.

By: dangerblond

dangerblond — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 20:48:49 +0000

The mayor said something in one of his many press conferences about court-watchers, but I’m sure nothing has been done to implement that program. What about assigning each 2007 murder to a blogger or activist who would take on the responsibility of at least finding out what is going on with the investigation/prosecution? That way, we could figure out what the glitches are. Is there really no one coming forward to give information? If someone is arrested, how long before they get back on the streets? Does the person have a record of violent crime? Did the witnesses show up at court? Was there a conviction? Why or why not? What was the sentence?

I’m appalled that Doyle’s murder is being given the page-25 treatment, but the main goal to me is to put the murderer away so he can’t kill anyone else.

By: Sean

Sean — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 18:55:55 +0000

Thanks for pointing out that TP article. I’ve got one earlobe that sags lower than the other… But seriously, do we require permit to purchase a handgun or background check on secondary sales??? I don’t think so, but maybe I looked at old law. I’m not for restricting civil liberties, but just consider the requirements in operating and selling a vehicle.

By: dsb nola

dsb nola — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 17:21:32 +0000

I just wrote Mr. Ussery an email encouraging him and the Times-Picayune to follow up on the story of Tank Johnston’s murder as well as all of the other murder victims’ stories. I actually have a lot of respect for the Times-Picayune and I expressed that to Mr. Ussery. I simply asked him and the Times-Picayune to partner with the citizenry to hold the N.O.P.D. and the Orleans Parish D.A.’s office to account. We’re engaged and these institutions need to recognize that fact. The Times-Picayune could play an essential role as we try to move forward.