New Orleans cops sentenced in 2005 fatal beating

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A New Orleans police officer has been sentenced to almost 22 years in prison for beating a handyman with a baton while his partner at the time was given nearly 6 years for helping cover up the crime.

The punishments were handed down Thursday.

Officer Melvin Williams was found guilty in April of violating Raymond Robair’s constitutional rights by kicking and beating him with a baton in the city’s Treme neighborhood on July 30, 2005. Officer Matthew Dean Moore was found guilty of submitting a false report and lying to the FBI.

The officers are expected to appeal their convictions.

The case was one of several Justice Department probes of alleged misconduct by New Orleans police officers.