- Harry Connick Sr., father of singer-actor Harry Connick Jr., has died peacefully in his New Orleans home at the age of 97.
- Connick Sr. served as the New Orleans District Attorney for thirty years and faced criticism for allegedly hiding evidence that could have helped defendants, resulting in overturned convictions.
- Notable cases include John Thompson, who spent 14 years on Death Row for a murder he did not commit, and Reginald Adams, who was released after 34 years due to concealed evidence.
Additional Coverage:
The father of singer-actor Harry Connick Jr., Harry Connick Sr., has passed away in Louisiana, according to the Associated Press. Connick Sr. died peacefully in his New Orleans home on Thursday, surrounded by his wife Londa and their two children Suzanna and Harry. The exact cause of his death was not disclosed.
Connick Sr. served as the New Orleans District Attorney for thirty years, beginning with his first election in 1973 when he defeated incumbent prosecutor Jim Garrison. He was reelected four times and developed support among the city’s politically powerful African American base. After retiring in 2003, Connick Sr. faced criticism for allegedly hiding evidence that could have helped several defendants, resulting in their convictions being overturned.
One notable case involved John Thompson, who spent 14 years on Louisiana’s Death Row for a murder he did not commit. Thompson later filed a lawsuit accusing Connick Sr. of withholding key evidence that would have proven his innocence. Although a judge awarded Thompson $14 million, the U.S. Supreme Court later overturned the decision in a 5-4 vote.
In 2014, another murder conviction from 1990 was overturned due to Connick Sr.’s actions. Reginald Adams was released from prison after serving 34 years when his attorneys proved that vital evidence had been concealed during his trial. Adams subsequently sued the D.A.’s Office and reached a settlement of $1.25 million.
Connick Sr. remained silent about his controversial tenure as D.A. for many years, but in a 2012 interview with The Times-Picayune, he defended his legacy. He passed away at the age of 97. Rest in peace.