Bouncers Indicted in New Orleans

Four bouncers were indicted on manslaughter charges Thursday in the Bourbon Street death of a college student that black leaders allege was the result of racist policies in French Quarter bars.

The owners of the popular Razzoo Bar & Patio have denied racism was involved in the death of Levon Jones, 25, a black visitor from Georgia who was pinned to the ground and put in a chokehold early Dec. 31. A coroner ruled Jones died from “positional asphyxiation.”

The bouncers, all white, could be sentenced to as many as 40 years in prison if convicted. Three of the four were initially charged with negligent homicide -- a lesser charge that carries a maximum five-year sentence. Dist. Atty. Eddie Jordan said manslaughter charges were sought from the after his staff “reviewed every detail of the videotapes, and interviewed witnesses including police officers.”