Latest news with #LouisianaDepartmentofCorrections
NZ Herald
23-06-2025
- Politics
- NZ Herald
Top US court takes case of Rastafarian whose hair was cut in prison
The US Supreme Court has agreed to hear the case of a devout Rastafarian whose knee-length dreadlocks were forcibly shorn while he was in prison in the southern state of Louisiana. Damon Landor is seeking permission to sue individual officials of the Louisiana Department of Corrections for monetary damages for
France 24
23-06-2025
- Politics
- France 24
Top US court takes case of Rastafarian whose hair was cut in prison
Damon Landor is seeking permission to sue individual officials of the Louisiana Department of Corrections for monetary damages for violating his religious rights. Landor, who had been growing his hair for nearly two decades, was serving the final three weeks of a five-month sentence for drug possession in 2020 when his hair was cut. Landor presented prison guards with a copy of a 2017 court ruling stating that Rastafarians should be allowed to keep their dreadlocks in line with their religious beliefs. A prison guard threw the document away and Landor was handcuffed to a chair and had his head shaved, according to court records. An appeals court condemned Landor's "egregious" treatment but ruled that he is not eligible to sue individual prison officials for damages. Louisiana Attorney General Elizabeth Murrill, in a brief submitted to the Supreme Court, acknowledged that the treatment of Landor by prison guards was "antithetical to religious freedom." "The State has amended its prison grooming policy to ensure that nothing like Petitioner's alleged experience can occur," Murrill said. But federal law does not permit "money damages against a state official sued in his individual capacity," she added. The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in the case during its next term, which begins in October. Rastafarians let their hair grow, typically in dreadlocks, as part of their beliefs in the religion which originated in Jamaica and was popularized by the late reggae singer Bob Marley.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Man pleads guilty to 2017 Gonzales homicide
The suspect in a 2017 Gonzales shooting death plead guilty to manslaughter. According to the District Attorney's Office, 27-year-old Joshua Harris was tried for the killing of 25-year-old Jerrod Brown. He was sentenced to 20 years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served. On June 24, 2017, Harris and Brown were involved in an argument when Harris pulled out two firearms and fired multiple shots. Harris then fled the area on foot. Ascension Parish Sheriff's Deputies found Brown suffering multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to a local hospital where he later died. Harris was later arrested and booked into the Ascension Parish says he warned Netanyahu against actions on Iran over nuclear talks Comedic stage play 'The Repass' to debut May 31 Nebraska Republican interrogated over GOP megabill during tense town hall The Ultimate NOLA Golf Experience 2025 with Timberlane Golf and Recreation Katrina 20th Anniversary: Free Agents Brass Band Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-02-2025
- Yahoo
Louisiana inmate dies of natural causes before March execution date
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — An 81-year-old death row inmate died in the Louisiana State Penitentiary after spending over 30 years on death row. Christopher Sepulvado passed away at approximately 8:45 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 22, at the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola. According to the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections, Sepulvado's death was due to natural causes, stemming from complications related to pre-existing medical conditions. Sepulvado had been in the custody of the Louisiana Department of Corrections since May 24, 1993, after being convicted of first-degree murder in DeSoto Parish. Louisiana judge gives ruling on execution procedures for death row inmates Just one day before, on Feb. 21, the DPS&C received an execution warrant for Sepulvado, with an execution date set for March 17. Louisiana inmate dies of natural causes before March execution date Ukraine's Zelenskyy says he'd be ready to give up presidency if it brought peace, NATO membership Lynne Marie Stewart of 'Pee-wee's Playhouse,' 'It's Always Sunny' dies: reports New Uber feature may overcharge you. Here's how to turn it off Why pharmacies are closing – and what to do if yours shuts its doors Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
