Prometheus 6

Quote of note:

"No one is sleeping on it," Russo said. "Everybody is working to resolve it. But the criminal justice system is at a standstill. We will be forced to make a decision as to which of these defendants are going to have to be released."

Justice Is Another Victim of Katrina
Some suspects go free because the system lacks the means to charge them; more wait behind bars. And cases mount along with new crimes.
By Scott Gold
Times Staff Writer
November 26, 2005

NEW ORLEANS — It was telling, one recent morning, that despite the presence of prosecutors, defense attorneys, bailiffs and 27 shackled inmates in orange jumpsuits, New Orleans Magistrate Anthony J. Russo felt compelled to point out: "This is a court."