Attorneys for New Orleans' "most notorious street criminal" seek court order to identity of witnesses (1 Viewer)

[Broadmoor74]

Telly Hankton's attorneys seek court order to get identity of some witnesses, FBI records | NOLA.com

Attorneys for convicted murderer Telly Hankton are seeking a court order to force federal prosecutors to reveal the identity of some witnesses and to turn over investigative records that led to federal charges against Hankton and some members of his family.

U.S. Attorney Dana Boente's office has refused to give Hankton's attorneys the names and locations of certain witnesses, citing "concerns regarding witness security," according to court records. In a June 17 letter, prosecutor William Quinlan Jr. cited the 2009 killing of Hasan Williams, "who was killed as a result of his cooperation against Telly Hankton."

Their filing said "alleged concerns" over witness safety "cannot trump" Hankton's constitutional right to due process and to exculpatory information in the hands of prosecutors.

"At a minimum, the defense should have equal access to these witnesses who might very well end up as defense witnesses," the motion said.

Hankton's attorneys are also raising questions about former New Orleans Police Department homicide detective Desmond Pratt, who investigated Reed's killing.

In an unrelated case, Pratt was arrested and booked in April with the forcible rape of a 15-year-old girl. Pratt, now a 6th District officer, was suspended without pay after his arrest.

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Slippery slope indeed.

 

[krushing]

Attorneys for New Orleans' &quot;most notorious street criminal&quot; seek court order ...

That's a tough one because even the worst criminals deserve to see everything and everyone against them. The punishment for tampering with one of the witnesses should be so severe that friends of the criminal wouldn't even think about it. The last thing we need is people testifying behind the scene. Would any of us want to be accused of a crime without even knowing who is accusing us? It's definitely a tough call.

 

[Zack Lee]

That's a tough one because even the worst criminals deserve to see everything and everyone against them. The punishment for tampering with one of the witnesses should be so severe that friends of the criminal wouldn't even think about it.

what punishment do you suggest? It seems hard to give punishment harsher than for first degree murder and that is exactly what the Hankton crew have proven they will do to a witness again and again. It is a tough situation but if we don't figure out a way to keep witnesses safe then we won't ever successfully prosecute this kind of criminal.

 

[NYCsaint]

That's a tough one because even the worst criminals deserve to see everything and everyone against them. The punishment for tampering with one of the witnesses should be so severe that friends of the criminal wouldn't even think about it. The last thing we need is people testifying behind the scene. Would any of us want to be accused of a crime without even knowing who is accusing us? It's definitely a tough call.

Yea, they've killed witnesses and families. They aren't just giving them dirty looks. The penalty for what they've willingly, and repeatedly done is death.


I was once in a jury pool for a case related to Hankton. I feel bad saying but boy am I glad I wasn't selected. There was all kinds of extra security and warnings

 

[krushing]

what punishment do you suggest? It seems hard to give punishment harsher than for first degree murder and that is exactly what the Hankton crew have proven they will do to a witness again and again. It is a tough situation but if we don't figure out a way to keep witnesses safe then we won't ever successfully prosecute this kind of criminal.

Teh Feds have figured this out for the most dangerous, most powerful and largest criminal organizations in the country. Surely they can figure it out for for street criminals in New Orleans. It's just thow many resources and how much money they decide to use to protect witnesses and clean this mess up. The Gulf Coast faced the same problem with the Dixie Maffia until the Sherry murders when the Feds decided to put the resources into it and shut it down at all costs. It can be done.

 

[FLIPPY]

Like I said on NOLA.. What could go wrong...? I think Telly just wants to treat the witnesses to a nice daiquri on Claiborne....

 

[Broadmoor74]

Teh Feds have figured this out for the most dangerous, most powerful and largest criminal organizations in the country. Surely they can figure it out for for street criminals in New Orleans. It's just thow many resources and how much money they decide to use to protect witnesses and clean this mess up. The Gulf Coast faced the same problem with the Dixie Maffia until the Sherry murders when the Feds decided to put the resources into it and shut it down at all costs. It can be done.

The witness protection program is largely a federal program for informants who rat on their associates.

The WPP consists of changing your identity, cutting ties with friends, co-workers, and some family members, relocating, getting a new job, and in some cases, reconstructive facial surgery. Sorry, but i'm probably not willing to go through that as a potential witness.

 

[NYCsaint]

The witness protection program is largely a federal program for informants who rat on their associates.

The WPP consists of changing your identity, cutting ties with friends, co-workers, and some family members, relocating, getting a new job, and in some cases, reconstructive facial surgery. Sorry, but i'm probably not willing to go through that as a potential witness.

it tends to be especially challenging in a city like new orleans where "home and family" is EXTREMELY deep rooted in the culture

 

[Zack Lee]

The WPP consists of changing your identity, cutting ties with friends, co-workers, and some family members, relocating, getting a new job, and in some cases, reconstructive facial surgery. Sorry, but i'm probably not willing to go through that as a potential witness.

but for the typical situation, they probably have more leverage on their witnesses than they would on a law abiding citizen.

 

[bclemms]

reconstructive facial surgery. Sorry, but i'm probably not willing to go through that as a potential witness.

Huh, I figured you'd prefer that over having to wear that stupid mask all the time.

 

[NYCsaint]

but for the typical situation, they probably have more leverage on their witnesses than they would on a law abiding citizen.

so your saying the feds should just scare the witnesses more than the gang members scare them, essentially.

 

[bornnraisedwhodat]

You can guarantee these witnesses will be dead or threatened. This dude is ruthless and feared on the streets

Sent from phone via Tapatalk

 

[krushing]

Don't need a " witness relocate program". What they did in Biloxi was put real pressure on every single associate to the point that all the accomplishes had no choice but to pack up and leave. They even locked down the folks in jail. Don't have to hide the witnesses, just lock down the perps

 

[Zack Lee]

dollars to donuts this is still related to the Telly Hankton gang activity whether for his guys or against them. Same Daiquiri shop they used to beef at and it seems like the same kind of contact style hit.

'They were scattered all over the parking lot' - Minister encounters horrible scene

Some witnesses told The Advocate that video showed a man being chased by two people firing weapons. The man ran into the crowd at the strip mall, but the firing did not stop. At one point the suspects stood over a man and fired at him at close range.

 

[guidomerkinsrules]

dollars to donuts this is still related to the Telly Hankton gang activity whether for his guys or against them. Same Daiquiri shop they used to beef at and it seems like the same kind of contact style hit.

'They were scattered all over the parking lot' - Minister encounters horrible scene

not good
i also hate it for people who are out in the Saturday night outfits, and then tragedy strikes and they have the news plaster them grieving in halter tops or whatever

 

[Domefan504]

Sources: New Orleans gang associate the apparent target in deadly 10-victim shooting

Gangs seems to be motive