Appeals court rejects challenge of Confederate court statue

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A Louisiana appeals court has rejected a black man's request to move his trial to a courthouse without a Confederate monument out front.

The 2-1 decision Tuesday gave no reason for denying Ronnie Anderson's request to move his trial from the East Feliciana Parish Courthouse in Clinton, where he faces a weapons charge after a traffic stop.

Defense attorney Niles Haymer called the statue of a Confederate soldier in the courthouse entryway "offensive, intimidating and racially insensitive."

District Attorney Sam D'Aquilla said the defense didn't prove prejudice, and the parish tries to ensure justice is color-blind.

The Advocate reported that the judge who rejected Anderson's request in November said it's "just a piece of granite," and the American flag is the only symbol inside the courtroom.