Trial delay makes time for plea deal in post-Katrina deaths

NEW ORLEANS – A federal judge has granted a delay in the trial of a former New Orleans police officer charged in the coverup of deadly shootings by colleagues in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

The new trial date for Gerard Dugue (DOO’-gay) is Oct. 24. He had been set for trial this month.

Prosecutors recently asked for more time to complete plea negotiations.

Dugue faces obstruction of justice and other charges in connection with the investigation of shootings at the Danziger Bridge. Two unarmed people were killed and others were wounded there by police on Sept. 4, 2005, days after levee failures caused catastrophic flooding.

Dugue is the lone remaining Danziger defendant. Earlier this year, four ex-officers pleaded guilty in the shootings; another pleaded guilty in the coverup.

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