Aaron Broussard, during his emotional breakdown on Meet The Press, September 4, 2005
Two trials are underway here in New Orleans that have folks re-living the days leading up to Hurricane Katrina, which struck the city on August 29, 2005. In state court, 24th Judicial District Judge John Peytavin presides over a civil class-action lawsuit against the Parish of Jefferson. The plaintiffs charge that the Parish (which is just to the west of the city of New Orleans) implemented an unnecessary “doomsday plan” prior to Katrina's landfall that left the residents defenseless from street flooding and caused billions of dollars in damage. In Federal court downtown, another jury hears testimony in the corruption trial of former New Orleans Mayor C. Ray Nagin, who is accused of using the storm's aftermath for personal gain, at the expense of residents. Both trials bring back a flood of memories, anger, and post-traumatic stress among locals.
(more below the squiggle)