Jury Gets Jefferson Parish’s Flood Case

Jurors seated to hear Jefferson Parish’s Hurricane Katrina flooding case should begin deliberations Wednesday. They will decide whether the local government and its former President Aaron Broussard are liable for the damage the plaintiffs say properties received because drainage pumps were idle during the storm.

The Times-Picayune reports Judge John Peytavin sent the jurors home Tuesday, telling them that the attorneys will give their closing argument Wednesday morning.

If the jury finds the parish and Broussard are liable for flooding damage, the trial will enter as second phase in which the question of monetary damages is addressed. If the jury finds no liability, the trial is over.

The parish’s attorneys rested their case Monday and the plaintiffs provided testimony from two witnesses to rebut the parish’s case.