WBRZ - Baton Rouge

A federal judge has refused to postpone a sentencing hearing for a former New Orleans police officer who pleaded guilty to helping cover up deadly shootings of unarmed residents on a bridge in Hurricane Katrina's aftermath.

The former officer, Michael Hunter, is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 17.

Prosecutors had asked for more time to evaluate his cooperation, but U.S. District Judge Sarah Vance denied that request Monday.

Vance said prosecutors can ask her to reduce Hunter's sentence once he finishes cooperating.

Hunter faces a maximum sentence of eight years in prison.

Police shot and killed two people and wounded four others on the Danziger Bridge less than a week after the August 2005 storm.