Federal Prosecutors oppose New Orleans Cop's Request for a New Trial

  • William Tanner's burned car, in which the remains of Henry Glover were found, on the banks of the Mississippi River. On 12/10/10 a jury found that police murdered Glover and then Officer McRae burned his body [MORE

From [HERE] NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Federal prosecutors are urging a judge to reject a New Orleans police officer's bid to overturn his convictions for burning the body of a man who was fatally shot by a different officer in Hurricane Katrina's aftermath.

In a court filing Friday, prosecutors said the jury made a "rational and credible" decision to convict Officer Gregory McRae of federal crimes in burning the body of 31-year-old Henry Glover.

McRae's lawyer is asking U.S. District Judge Lance Africk to throw out his convictions or order a new trial.

The attorney, Frank DeSalvo, says jurors didn't hear evidence to rationally conclude that his client tried to obstruct a probe of a police shooting.

Two other current or former officers who were convicted in the case also are asking Africk for post-trial acquittals or new trials.