WBRZ - Baton Rouge

Tagged News

• AP sources: Pentagon to cut civilian furlough days

  May 14, 2013 7:53 AM

  WASHINGTON - U.S. military officials say the Defense Department leaders trying to find ways to deal with mandatory budget cuts are poised to trim the number of civilian furlough days from 14 to at least 11 and allow the military to exempt thousands of additional workers from the unpaid day... more »

• Prosecutors, defense rest in Louding murder trial Play Video

  April 25, 2013 5:07 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Prosecutors and defense attorneys rested their respective cases this afternoon in the murder trial of "Marlo" Mike Louding, who's accused of killing six people. Louding is accused of killing Terry Boyd in October 2009 at the direction of Torrence Hatch, also known as the rapper Lil... more »

• BP plans to begin its trial defense Monday

  April 3, 2013 2:41 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - BP plans to call its first witness Monday at a trial designed to identify causes of its April 2010 well blowout and assign fault to the companies involved in the deadly disaster. A federal judge heard testimony Wednesday by two expert witnesses for Halliburton, BP's cement contractor... more »

• Defense starts for companies in Gulf spill trial

  March 18, 2013 10:16 AM

  NEW ORLEANS - The owner of the drilling rig that exploded in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010 has started to present its defense at a trial designed to determine the causes of the deadly disaster and assign fault to the companies involved. Transocean Ltd. called its first witness Monday... more »

• Reese drops insanity defense, pleads guilty

  March 14, 2013 2:16 PM

  ST. FRANCISVILLE - Trevor Reese, the teen accused of killing an 8-year-old boy almost three years ago, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder charges today after he dropped his insanity defense. Reese was scheduled to go to trial Monday on first-degree murder charges. A date for a sentencing hearing has... more »

• No. 25 Louisiana Tech's success built on defense

  March 1, 2013 4:02 PM

  RUSTON - Second-year Louisiana Tech coach Michael White quickly realized his team wasn't the best at shooting, rebounding or handling the ball. But these Bulldogs run - constantly. It's working for No. 25 Louisiana Tech, which is on a 17-game winning streak mainly because of its frantic, full-court press that's... more »

• Fla. judge: No trial delay in Trayvon Martin case

  February 5, 2013 9:04 AM

  SANFORD, Fla.- A judge in the case of a former neighborhood watch leader accused of shooting Florida teenager Trayvon Martin has denied a defense request to delay the trial. George Zimmerman's attorneys presented a motion Tuesday asking Judge Debra Nelson to push the trial from mid-June back to November. They... more »

• Panetta: Drone strike decisions don't come lightly

  February 4, 2013 2:45 AM

  WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Leon Panetta says decisions to strike potential terrorist targets with unmanned drones don't "come lightly." Panetta says those who authorize the drone strikes make sure they "are focused on somebody who is ... a direct threat to the United States." In an interview released Sunday by... more »

• Two Saints defense coaches let go

  January 24, 2013 5:43 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - The Saints announced this evening they let go Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and Secondary Coach Ken Flajole from the organization. The Saints announced the change on their official Twitter account and their website. "I personally want to thank Steve and Ken for their contributions during... more »

• Military women could soon be in combat

  January 24, 2013 6:56 AM

  WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Leon Panetta is expected to announce today that women will now be allowed to serve in combat roles. That presents a challenge for the Pentagon as military leaders will have to decide which, if any, jobs they believe should be open only to men. ... more »

• Prosecutor defends actions in Swartz hacker case

  January 17, 2013 3:28 PM

  BOSTON - A federal prosecutor who has been sharply criticized following the suicide of an Internet freedom activist appeared to fight back tears as she defended her office's handling of a hacking case against him. U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz says Aaron Swartz's family has suffered a "horrible tragedy" and that... more »

• Panetta defends Obama's gun control package

  January 17, 2013 6:42 AM

  VICENZA, Italy - Defense Secretary Leon Panetta says he doesn't understand why anyone outside the military needs assault weapons or armor-piercing bullets. During a visit with U.S. troops in northern Italy on Thursday, Panetta defended President Barack Obama's sweeping gun control package. A soldier asked Panetta what steps... more »

• Obama: Hagel 'leader our troops deserve'

  January 7, 2013 5:44 PM

  WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama says Chuck Hagel, his choice as the new secretary of defense, is "the leader that our troops deserve." Obama formally announced his choice of Hagel in the White House East Room on Monday even as critics questioned the pick over issues including Hagel's views on... more »

• Congress completes $633B defense bill

  December 21, 2012 2:41 PM

  WASHINGTON- Congress has completed a $633 billion defense bill for next year and is sending it to President Barack Obama. The Senate voted 81-14 for the sweeping policy measure. The White House has threatened a veto, but it remains unclear whether the president would reject the legislation. The bill covers... more »

• 'Fiscal cliff' offers hint at more defense cuts

  December 5, 2012 7:51 AM

  WASHINGTON - House Republicans' "fiscal cliff" counteroffer to President Barack Obama hints at billions of dollars in military cuts on top of the nearly $500 billion that the White House and Congress backed last year, and even the fiercest defense hawks acknowledge that the Pentagon faces another financial hit. ... more »

• Senate passes $631 billion defense bill

  December 4, 2012 4:51 PM

  WASHINGTON - The Senate has voted for a sweeping, $631 billion defense bill that calls for accelerating the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan and tightens sanctions on Iran. The vote was 98-0. The legislation would authorize money for weapons, aircraft and ships and provide a 1.7 percent pay raise... more »

• Eagles fire defensive line coach Jim Washburn

  December 3, 2012 10:38 AM

  PHILADELPHIA - The foundering Philadelphia Eagles have fired defensive line coach Jim Washburn as they try to fix a broken pass defense amid an eight-game losing streak. Eagles coach Andy Reid on Monday announced former defensive line coach Tommy Brashear is replacing Washburn. The Eagles hired Washburn before last season,... more »

• Panetta: Aircraft not close to stop Libya attack

  November 9, 2012 2:19 PM

  WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Leon Panetta is telling Congress that the military did not have armed aircraft near Libya that could have helped defend against the Sept. 11 attack on the U.S. Consulate that killed Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans. In a letter to Republican Sen. John McCain... more »

• Dominant defense is way of life at Alabama, LSU

  October 31, 2012 5:20 PM

  BATON ROUGE - For Alabama and LSU, defense is more than just a vital part of the game. It's who they are. Both teams have dominated the defensive rankings in recent years, and this season is no exception. Top-ranked Alabama lost six starters off last year's team in the NFL... more »

• LSU defense confident it can contain Manziel

  October 18, 2012 3:23 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Kevin Minter doesn't envision LSU's defense fretting over any quarterback, not even explosive Texas A&M dual-threat freshman Johnny Manziel. Minter, a senior linebacker, has been part of a unit that held Oregon in check last season, and which last week racked up four sacks against South Carolina's... more »

• Zimmerman wants better management of evidence

  October 15, 2012 12:00 PM

  ORLANDO, Fla. - Attorneys for former neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman say prosecutors are dragging their feet on turning over some evidence and not turning over other information in a timely manner. On Monday Zimmerman's attorney's also said prosecutors are providing some discovery in a format that's useless for defense... more »

• LSU's Sam Montgomery fueled by teammates' dreams

  September 27, 2012 4:21 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Sam Montgomery will hop around like a frog near the line of scrimmage if that's what it takes to fire up LSU's defense. Once the center snaps the ball, the defensive end is as ferocious as he is goofy. He had 3 1/2 tackles for losses last... more »

• Obama makes a pitch to veterans, military families

  September 27, 2012 3:19 PM

  VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - President Barack Obama has appealed to veterans and military families in defense-focused southeast Virginia, casting himself as a president who is ending foreign entanglements and aiding returning soldiers with educational opportunities. Obama chided rival Mitt Romney for saying, in secretly taped remarks months ago, that nearly... more »

• Romney decries impending defense spending cuts

  September 27, 2012 3:17 PM

  SPRINGFIELD, Va. - Mitt Romney is calling the across-the-board defense spending cuts scheduled to take effect in January "a gun-to-your-head kind of approach." He says the deal President Barack Obama made with Congress "was a strange proposal in the first place," and he says "it's even stranger that we're seeing... more »

• Saints point to defensive improvement as a positive

  September 27, 2012 10:35 AM

  METAIRIE - Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan refuses to let his unit's dreadful statistical rankings discourage him. Jordan describes the Saints' defense as a veteran unit that not only isn't panicking or fracturing, but is "re-energized" and focused on mastering first-year coordinator Steve Spagnuolo's schemes. The Saints have... more »

• Ryan: Obama weak on defense in battleground Ohio

  September 24, 2012 4:21 PM

  LIMA, Ohio - Republican vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan says President Barack Obama's attempt to cut military spending is putting Americans at risk overseas. Ryan on Monday kicked off three days of campaigning in battleground Ohio by the GOP presidential ticket. Ryan campaigned in the town of Lima (LY'-muh) that's... more »

• Montgomery named SEC Def. Player of the Week

  September 24, 2012 10:28 AM

  BATON ROUGE - LSU defensive end Sam Montgomery has been named the Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Week Montgomery, a junior from Greenwood, S.C., had four tackles, 3.5 of which went for losses in LSU's 12-10 win over Auburn. Montgomery's first tackle for loss resulted in a safety and... more »

• Stingy 49ers defense denies Detroit in 27-19 win

  September 17, 2012 10:14 AM

  SAN FRANCISCO - San Francisco's stingy defense denied Matthew Stafford another milestone, Vernon Davis caught touchdown passes of 21 and 23 yards from Alex Smith, and the 49ers beat the Detroit Lions 27-19 on Sunday night in a September showdown of NFC powers. Smith completed 20 of 31 throws for... more »

• Saints' defense struggling after first 2 weeks

  September 17, 2012 10:08 AM

  CHARLOTTE, N.C. - As long as Drew Brees stays healthy, the New Orleans Saints' offense is going to be just fine. The defense? Now that's a concern. The Saints got pushed around for the second straight week, allowing 463 total yards in a 35-27 loss to the Carolina Panthers on... more »

• 13 defense executives bemoan uncertainty of cuts

  September 10, 2012 1:12 PM

  WASHINGTON - Thirteen defense executives are complaining that the threat of automatic, across-the-board cuts to military spending is creating uncertainty that's already affected their industry. Seven senators released copies of the executives' letters on Monday. The six Republicans and independent Joe Lieberman are trying to ratchet up the political pressure... more »

• Syrian defense minister killed in suicide blast

  July 18, 2012 7:04 AM

  BEIRUT - Syria's state-run TV says the country's defense minister has been killed in a suicide blast in the capital. Wednesday's attack struck the National Security building in Damascus during a meeting of Cabinet ministers and senior security officials. State-run TV said some of the officials were seriously wounded.... more »

• Report: 2M jobs lost if automatic cuts kick in

  July 17, 2012 9:00 AM

  WASHINGTON - A new report on the government's looming automatic spending cuts estimates they will cost the economy more than 2 million defense and domestic jobs. The study was done by Dr. Stephen Fuller of George Mason University and Chmura Economics and Analytics. It was conducted for the Aerospace... more »

• US to begin new phase of hypersonic flight program

  July 6, 2012 6:04 PM

  LOS ANGELES - The Defense Department's research arm will seek proposals next month for solutions to technology hurdles in super high-speed flight with a goal of testing a full-scale hypersonic X-plane in four years. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency said Friday it will host a so-called Proposers' Day on... more »

• State launches defense of voucher program

  June 29, 2012 3:34 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - State officials are launching their legal defense of Louisiana's new tuition voucher program. The program lets thousands of students from low-performing public schools get taxpayer-funded private school tuition. Opponents' lawsuits say the program is unconstitutional for several reasons. One argument is that Louisiana's constitution requires that money... more »

• Defense: I would be shocked if Sandusky acquitted

  June 22, 2012 5:02 PM

  BELLEFONTE, Pa. - Jerry Sandusky's lawyer says an acquittal of his client on all charges would be "a shock," as jurors deliberate the former Penn State assistant football coach's fate on 48 criminal counts. Joe Amendola told reporters inside the Centre County Courthouse that Sandusky was spending time with his... more »

• Sleepwalking used as defense in attempted robbery

  June 7, 2012 12:41 PM

  NEW LONDON, Conn. - A Connecticut man accused of attempting to rob a woman at knifepoint in an elevator at the Mohegan Sun casino says he was sleepwalking at the time. The Norwich Bulletin reports Winston Riley told his attorney he was awakened on March 18 by the woman when... more »

• Ruling against Defense of Marriage Act won't be applied until Supreme Court acts

  May 31, 2012 12:24 PM

  BOSTON - A federal appeals court is rejecting part of the Defense of Marriage Act -- but today's ruling won't be enforced until the U.S. Supreme Court decides the case. That means same-sex married couples won't be eligible to receive the benefits denied to them under that law until the... more »

• Defense rests without Edwards testifying

  May 16, 2012 10:57 AM

  GREENSBORO - John Edwards' defense team has rested their case without the former presidential candidate or his mistress taking the witness stand. Edwards' defense team rested Wednesday morning. Some court watchers had expected the former U.S. senator and trial lawyer to testify in his own defense. The move signals... more »

• Edwards defense to ask judge to throw out case

  May 11, 2012 7:39 AM

  RALEIGH, N.C. - Defense lawyers for John Edwards will ask a judge today to dismiss corruption charges against their client, arguing prosecutors failed to prove the former presidential candidate intentionally violated the law. Such motions are very rarely successful. But after 14 days of testimony and evidence presented by prosecutors,... more »

• Prosecution and defense rest in Lil Boosie case Play Video

  May 10, 2012 2:49 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Defense attorneys for the rapper known as Lil Boosie rested their case without calling any witnesses, shortly after prosecutors rested this afternoon in Baton Rouge district court. Attorney Jason Williams stated they felt the state, which has the burden of proof, did not prove their case.... more »

• Tigers defense seeks spot in LSU history

  November 15, 2011 6:04 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Cornerback Morris Claiborne says he and teammates often talk about how they'd like the Tigers' 2011 defense to be remembered as best LSU ever had. That's a tall order considering the strong defenses fielded by LSU national title teams in 2003 and 2007, which each sent... more »

• LSU-Alabama an old-fashioned showdown

  November 4, 2011 12:22 PM

  TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The LSU and Alabama showdown promises to be a throwback of old-school football. Both the top-ranked and barely-tested Tigers, and No. 2 and mostly-unchallenged Alabama are built on power runs and run-stuffing defenses in a time when spread offenses are en vogue and huddles are optional.... more »

• LSU-Alabama: It's (almost) all about the defense

  November 1, 2011 1:13 PM

  TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Two of the nation's best defenses will take center stage when LSU and Alabama square off. Both rank among the top 5 nationally in the major defensive categories going into Saturday night's matchup of the top-ranked Tigers and No. 2 Crimson Tide. LSU has quarterback... more »

• Jefferson's attorney files for hearing over charges

  September 16, 2011 3:42 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The defense attorney for suspended LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson filed a motion today calling for a hearing to have the allegations against his client cleared. Lewis Unglesby stated in the motion that while Jefferson had been arrested in connection with a fight outside a Baton Rouge... more »

• Defense rests in Nelson trial

  June 21, 2011 4:14 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The defense for former New Road Mayor Tommy Nelson has finished calling witnesses in his federal bribery trial in Baton Rouge. Attorney Page Pate rested his case after questioning FBI agent Darin McAllister about his involvement in the Operation: Blighted Officials investigation of Nelson. McAllister... more »

• Defense attorney questions witness in Nelson trial

  June 14, 2011 6:29 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The defense had a chance to cross-examine prosecutor's star witness in former New Roads Mayor Tommy Nelson's bribery trial today. Attorney Page Pate questioned William Myles about the FBI's tactics during their undercover investigation of Nelson. Myles posed as a corrupt businessman trying to sell local... more »

• Defense attorneys ask for postponement in Katrina bridge shooting trial

  June 7, 2011 2:07 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - Attorneys for five current and former New Orleans police officers charged in the fatal shootings of unarmed residents on a bridge after Hurricane Katrina have asked for more time to prepare for trial. The defense team, in a court motion, says it is overwhelmed by material... more »

• Defense rests in Greg Harris murder trial

  April 8, 2011 11:54 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Attorneys for Greg Harris rested their defense this morning in Baton Rouge district court. Harris is accused of second-degree murder in the death of his wife, attorney Chiquita Tate, who was found stabbed to death in her office. Harris did not take the stand in... more »

• Prosecution rests in Greg Harris murder trial

  April 7, 2011 12:12 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Prosecutors have rested their case against Greg Harris, who's accused of killing his wife Chiquita Tate at her law office in Baton Rouge. Prosecutor Prem Burns rested after about two weeks of testimony, which included blood and DNA evidence taken from Tate's office and couple's home... more »

• Mallett will face tough test in LSU defense

  November 25, 2010 6:41 PM

  FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) - Ryan Mallett has made record-breaking almost a weekly occurrence in less than two full seasons at Arkansas. He has set 37 school or stadium records in 24 games with the Razorbacks, and his career passing efficiency (158.6) is third in Southeastern Conference history, For all of... more »

• Group wants truck stop tiger removed

  November 23, 2010 11:55 AM

  BATON ROUGE – An animal rights group has asked state officials to revoke a truck stop’s permit to have a live tiger named Tony on display. The Animal Legal Defense Fund filed a petition with the state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, claiming the tiger’s conditions and habitat at... more »

• LSU-Auburn: Last of SEC's unbeatens meet

  October 22, 2010 12:30 PM

  Lucky, plucky or just plain good? Fifth-ranked Auburn and No. 6 LSU are the Southeastern Conference's survivors, winning with gutsy comebacks and playcalling, and even being on the right side of officiating rulings. Neither team has been perfect, but their records remain so at least until after Saturday's... more »

• Road Home program for storm shutters to begin

  October 19, 2010 5:10 AM

  Homeowners who did not receive the maximum Road Home grant award will soon be able to apply for $7,500 to install storm shutters and other defenses on their homes to protect against hurricanes. This week, letters will be sent to homeowners telling them how they can apply for the grant.... more »

• Corps to shore up trouble spot in NO flood defense

  October 16, 2010 11:14 AM

  The Army Corps of Engineers is doing more work to strengthen the Inner Harbor Navigational Canal, a spot in New Orleans where floodwalls broke during Hurricane Katrina. The corps says it will reinforce levees and floodwalls along the IHNC to meet beefed-up standards the corps is using in the wake... more »

• Tiger defense leads the SEC

  September 28, 2010 2:13 PM

  LSU's defense moved atop the Southeastern Conference in a pair of categories this week, taking over the top spot from Alabama in both total defense and rushing defense. After allowing just 177 total yards to West Virginia, LSU is now limiting opponents to an SEC-best 254 yards per game. The... more »

• No defense witnesses to be called in Anna Nicole Smith trial

  September 23, 2010 2:53 PM

  Defense lawyers in the Anna Nicole Smith drug conspiracy trial say they will call no witnesses after the prosecution rests. Lawyers for Smith's boyfriend Howard K. Stern and her two doctors said Thursday in Los Angeles they will rest their case with no testimony. Stern, Dr. Sandeep Kapoor, Dr.... more »

• Attorneys appointed in quadruple slaying case

  September 17, 2010 8:15 AM

  Defense attorney Richard Bourke, director of the Louisiana Capital Assistance Center in New Orleans, has been appointed to represent 52-year-old Lee Roy Williams in a Calcasieu Parish quadruple slaying case. The appointment came during a Thursday court hearing. The American Press reports Lake Charles defense attorney Charles St. Dizier was... more »

• LA judge's impeachment lawyers begin mounting defense

  September 16, 2010 10:53 AM

  Defense attorneys for a Louisiana judge facing an impeachment trial in Congress have begun trying to undermine the case against him, calling witnesses such as his son who said money he took from lawyers wasn't graft. U.S. District Judge G. Thomas Porteous is accused of accepting cash and other gifts... more »

• LSU's defense thriving on youth movement

  September 15, 2010 1:27 PM

  Dominant defense won LSU national titles twice in the past decade. That wasn't expected to be the case this season with new starters at seven spots. Yet even as No. 15 LSU's offense struggles to find its rhythm, the Tigers' youthful defense is making big plays to win... more »

• State Police say 'No Refusal' weekend has been successful

  September 6, 2010 5:52 PM

  State Police said a DWI crackdown has been a success for the holiday weekend. The official end of the weekend is tomorrow morning. So far, authorities said there have been no alcohol-related deaths reported in Louisiana State Police Troop A. Police said DWI arrests are at about half normal levels.... more »

• Gates retiring as U. S. Defense Secretary

  August 16, 2010 11:37 AM

  Defense Secretary Robert Gates says he plans to leave his job next year. A Republican and holdover from the Bush administration, Gates had agreed to stay on at the request of President Barack Obama. The move was intended to maintain stability at a time of two wars, although Gates has... more »

• Mistrial called: Prosecutor didn't turn over gun

  July 29, 2010 4:55 AM

  An Orleans Parish judge called a mistrial in a murder case because the defense lawyer had just learned prosecutors had the alleged murder weapon. Kendell Stewart remains jailed on $500,000 bond charged with helping kill 15-year-old Javonte Morgan outside a fast-food restaurant in 2008. The judge rescheduled trial in October.... more »

• Mock NFL draft experts say Saints looking to sure up defense

  April 22, 2010 7:52 AM

  The Super Bowl champions New Orleans Saints are picking last in the first round of the NFL draft, but that's a small price to pay coming off their first Super Bowl title. The Saints are set to pick No. 32 overall in round one of the draft Thursday night.... more »

• Saints sign former Bucs DE Wilkerson

  April 20, 2010 11:34 AM

  The New Orleans Saints have signed former Tampa Bay defensive end Jimmy Wilkerson. Saints spokesman Greg Bensel says the 29-year-old Wilkerson, who visited the club last week, has signed a one-year deal. Wilkerson has played seven seasons in the NFL, the first five with Kansas City and the... more »

• Analyst predicts Saints will go for "D" in NFL Draft

  March 29, 2010 9:00 AM

  The NFL Draft is coming up April 22-24, and a senior analyst at NFL.com predicted the Super Bowl champion-New Orleans Saints will go for a defensive player in the first round. Pat Kirwan projected the Saints will select Florida defensive end Carols Dunlap with the final pick of the... more »

• Injured Freeney still hopes to play in Super Bowl

  February 2, 2010 10:54 AM

  Indianapolis Colts All-Pro defensive end Dwight Freeney still hopes to play in the Super Bowl despite a torn ligament in his right ankle. "Hopefully, towards the end of the week it starts to get better," Freeney said at Tuesday's media day. Freeney also said it's "very discouraging" not... more »