[Deathpenalty] death penalty news----LOUISIANA

[Rick Halperin]

Nov. 4


LOUISIANA:

Church members react to Coleman getting off death row


Members of First Baptist Church Blanchard are shocked to learn the man
convicted of brutally murdering a former preacher, then disabling his wife
is off death row.

Friday, the Louisiana Supreme Court overturned the conviction and death
sentence of Robert Coleman. He was convicted of savagely murdering pastor
Julian Brandon and permanently disabling his wife, Alice, in a home
invasion on New Year's Day 2003.

The court's opinion, which orders a new trial, said a black man was
improperly excluded from the jury. People who knew and loved Brandon can't
imagine the family going through another trial.

"Skin color means nothing if 12 people thought he was guilty, to me that
means he's guilty," said Hixie Hayes, church member.

The Caddo district attorney says he will re-try Coleman and seek the death
penalty again.

(source: KTBS News)