Two former New Orleans Police Department officers were sentenced for their roles in the beating death of Raymond Robair, a case that exposed deep-seated corruption within the NOPD.
Former NOPD Officer Melvin Williams was sentenced to 262 months in prison for violating the civil rights of Robair, a 48-year-old man, by beating him to death on July 30, 2005. Williams also obstructed justice in the wake of the beating.
Williams was ordered to pay $11,576 in restitution for his crimes.
Williams’ partner, former NOPD Officer Matthew Dean Moore, was sentenced to 70 months in prison for obstructing justice and making false statements to the FBI during a federal investigation into Robair’s death.
According to the evidence presented at trial, Williams and Moore stopped Robair on a city street on the morning of July 30, 2005. While Moore restrained Robair, Williams kicked him in the side and struck him repeatedly with a metal baton. Robair suffered fractured ribs and a ruptured spleen, injuries that triggered massive internal bleeding.
Williams and Moore transported Robair to Charity Hospital, where they falsely advised medical personnel that Robair was suffering from a drug overdose. Robair was pronounced dead at Charity Hospital shortly after his arrival.
The case was prosecuted by Special Litigation Counsel Forrest Christian and Trial Attorney Jared Fishman of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, along with Assistant U.S. Attorney Jordan Ginsberg for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana.
Related Federal Cases
- Kristen Williams, Bank Robbery, Louisiana 2016 · Louisiana
- Colby Purkel, Civil Disorder, Louisiana 2021 · Louisiana
- Colby Purkel, Civil Disorder, Louisiana 2021 · Louisiana
- Kenneth Wayne Williams, Jr., Drug Trafficking, Louisiana 2023 · Louisiana
- Kristen Williams, Bank Heist, Louisiana 2024 · Louisiana
Key Facts
- State: Federal
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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