Appeals Court Denies Ackal’s Judge Reassignment, Trial Relocation

Today, a federal appeals court has denied requests from Iberia Parish Sheriff Louis Ackal to reassign the Lake Charles judge who was originally assigned to the case.

Our news partners at KATC reported the court also denied Ackal's request of a trial relocation from Shreveport to Lafayette.

Ackal, Lt. Col. Gerald Savoy, and former Capt. Mark Frederick face trial Oct. 31 in a federal probe of physical abuse of inmates and cover-ups at the Sheriff's Office

Nine former deputies already pleaded guilty to the inmate beatings.

Defense attorneys said with their clients and themselves located in south Louisiana, it makes having a trial in Shreveport too much of a burden on them.