For art's sake: Rumors have been flying for nearly a week about an artist who was "beaten" in Jackson Square last Friday (4.10.09) morning while he was setting up his exhibit. The incident has been on the TV news several times and other artists have been squawking like magpies about how the NOPD is not taking the "crime" seriously.
Here's what we know so far:
- Gang Hu, known as "Kenny" to the other artists on the Square, was found lying on the ground around 4:30 a.m. that Friday. Another artist who spotted him laying there thought he was passed out drunk--then remembered Kenny didn't drink. Upon investigating, he found Kenny lying in a pool of blood and called 911. The dispatcher logged it as a "medical" call and EMTs were sent.
- 8th District NOPD officers arriving a couple of minutes after the EMTs found Kenny had suffered a single blow to the side of his head and determined neither his money or other valuables were taken.
- Kenny suffered a severe brain injury and has been in a medically induced coma at the hospital. Lt. Eddie Selby, head of the 8th District detectives, has been at the hospital every morning to see if Kenny has emerged from the coma so he can be interviewed to try to determine what happened.
- At this point, there is no evidence it was an assault. The doctor treating Kenny said he sees no evidence the victim suffered an attack. There is speculation that Kenny might have fallen off the stone ledge beneath the wrought iron fence while hanging his artwork.
Ho, ho, ho: A trio of 17-year-old vixens turned their first trick in the French Quarter on Easter night (4.12.09)--though it involved pepper spray rather than sex.
The 3 girls, all black, approached a white man of unreported age who was walking in the 700 block of St. Louis Street (between Bourbon and Royal streets) about 11:30 p.m. As they closed in, one of the girls pulled out a can of pepper spray and allegedly sprayed the victim. Another gi
rl attempted to take the victim's wallet from his pants pocket while he struggled with the noxious fumes.
He resisted long enough for cops to arrive on the scene and arrest for attempted simple robbery:
rl attempted to take the victim's wallet from his pants pocket while he struggled with the noxious fumes.He resisted long enough for cops to arrive on the scene and arrest for attempted simple robbery:
- Keera Alexander (top), $10,000 bond, sitting in OPP
- Jenee Pedesclaux (middle), $25,000 bond, sent home with an ankle bracelet by Magistrate Harry Cantrell;
- Tomalesha Smith (bottom), $25,000 bond, sitting in OPP
It does raise the question of why officers in the Bourbon Promenade (assigned to stroll this adult playground) didn't notice these "children" out in violation of curfew.
Jackson jive: 8th District detectives arrested Jamal Jackson, 25 (DOB 4.12.84), and c
harged him with an armed robbery in the Quarter on 2.28.09. He's not to be confused with 5 other Jamal Jacksons who have records in Orleans Parish and all of whom were born in the 1980's--particularly the Jamal Jackson who was arrested Wednesday (4.15.09) and charged with a drive-by shooting death.The 4.12.84 Jackson is enough trouble as it is. He's charged with 3 armed robberies, domestic battery, and a couple of probation violations. He was charged in the robbery of 2 young black men in their early 20s who were walking in the the 1000 block of St. Louis Street around 3:45 a.m.
Jackson is being held in OPP on $475,000 bond. An alleged accomplice is still on the loose.
Bourbon bash: Just because it was Easter weekend doesn't mean it was any less tame in the touristy stretch of Bourbon Street:
- 10:45 p.m. Saturday (4.11.09): 2 black guys got into an argument at Bourbon and St. Louis Street when one of them pulled what was believed to be a box cutter and
slashed the other guy across the back of the neck and on his inner wrist. The assailant fled on foot toward Canal Street and the 31-year-old victim was hauled to the hospital by ambulance for treatment.
Two days later, detectives showed a photo line-up to the victim and he positively identified his assailant. Police arrested Raynell Walsh, 33, and charged him with aggravated battery. He is in OPP in lieu of $25,000 bail.
- 2:35 a.m. Saturday (4.11.09): A white guy inside a club in the 400 block of Bourbon (Jazz Emporium? Beerfest? Wouldn't it be nice if the police report didn't paint all the clubs in a given block with such a broad brush?) was asked to step outside with a black dude who offered to sell him drugs. The white guy declined the offer and started to re-enter the club when another black dude came up and struck him, knocking him to the ground and then taking his wallet.
Both perps fled on foot toward Canal. Both were described as 20 to 25 years old and 5'11" tall. One had a thin build and weighed 170 pounds, and was wearing a white T-shirt and blue jean shorts; the other had a muscular build, short corn rows, and was wearing a gray muscle shirt and blue jean shorts.
...and the CBD too: A black in the 300 block of Tchoupitoulas Street (between Gravier and Natchez streets, about a block from Harrah's Casino) was accosted by another black guy had his hand in his shirt, like he had a weapon. He said he had a gun and demanded the victim's wallet. The perp then hopped into an older model maroon Nissan driven by a black chick and fled.
He was described as in his 20's, 5'9" tall, 145 pounds, with a goatee and shoulder-length dreadlocks, wearing a black T-shirt and dark jean shorts.
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As always, your comments and suggestions are welcome at NOcrimeline@gmail.comThom Kahler
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