Two officers fired; third suspended in tape beating

WWL-TV
Dec. 21, 2005

The New Orleans Police Department has fired two officers accused of beating a 64-year-old man on Bourbon Street on October eighth. A third officer was suspended after being accused of grabbing a reporter.
At least one police officer repeatedly punched 64-year-old Robert Davis, accused of public intoxication, and another officer assaulted an Associated Press Television News producer as a cameraman taped the confrontations.

Superintendent Warren Riley announced the dismissal of officers Robert Evangelist and Lance Schilling. Officer Stuart Smith was suspended for 120 days.

The incident was caught on tape by the A-P and was publicized highly throughout the media as coverage was still intense in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

The tape appeared to show several blows being delivered to Davis that caused his head to slam against a wall.

Attorney Frank DeSalvo, who represents the three officers, said Davis was stumbling on Bourbon Street and fell into a police horse when officers came to his aid.