Prison Sentences of the Day

Four former New Orleans police officers charged with shooting unarmed civilians in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina have been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Kurt Engelhardt to more than 30 years in prison. A fifth, Arthur Kaufman, received six years for his part in a cover-up of the crimes. "The officers who shot innocent people on the bridge and then went to great lengths to cover up their own crimes have finally been held accountable for their actions. As a result of today's sentencing, the city of New Orleans can take another step forward," said Thomas Perez, head of the Justice Department's civil rights division. [nola]