And that’s just not groovy
Even a rock star has trouble finding justice in the New Orleans courts these days.
For the second time since they first brought the case three years ago, Orleans Parish prosecutors Thursday dismissed all charges against a man accused of robbing and shooting rock ‘n’ roll legend Ray Davies in the Faubourg Marigny.
Instead of facing trial for the 2004 armed robbery and aggravated battery, Jerome Barra, 28, was freed and the case was closed at Orleans Parish Criminal District Court.
District Attorney Eddie Jordan’s office said charges were dropped because Davies, of London, who emerged during the 1960s British Invasion as the frontman for The Kinks, didn’t appear Thursday for trial.
Prosecutors sent word of the trial to Davies only a few days ago, asking him to come testify, according to the rock musician. Davies’ absence at a scheduled trial in 2005 prompted Jordan’s office to drop the case then, reserving the right to take a second swipe at Barra.Davies, however, said he couldn’t possibly have made it to New Orleans with what he called such scant notice.
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