Black Man Recants Dragging Accusation

A black man who claimed he was dragged by three white men for 2 1/2 blocks has changed his story and told police it was the result of a drug deal gone bad. The June 13 attack on Cornelius Weaver, 23, of Slidell, had been investigated as a hate crime until he backed off the details this week and said it appeared to be a case of mistaken identity. A St. Tammany Parish sheriff’s spokesman said Weaver has recanted and given a taped statement to investigators that he fabricated the story. Investigators have also talked to two women who confessed to dragging Weaver after they ripped him off in a drug deal and he tried to get into the car. Possible charges include filing a false police report, distribution of cocaine, carjacking and battery.