Bella Musings

On March 21, 2022, New Orleanians were shocked and horrified to hear about the murder as the result of a carjacking of 73 year old Linda Frickey. Frickey had just put her things in her car after work and was prepared to return home when 4 teens ran up to her car with intent to carjack her. The 17 year old male of the group pulled Frickey from the driver’s seat, assaulted her, jumped into the car, and sped off into traffic. Frickey was caught up in the vehicle’s seat belt and was drug by the vehicle as it sped off. The force was so great, it tore off one of Frickey’s arms before her body broke loose from the seat belt as the four teens continued to travel at a top speed. Frickey went into shock and bled to death as she was waiting for the EMS vehicle to arrive. Concerned citizens were horrified at the site and rushed to her aid but there was nothing they could do to save her. However, it was because of those witnesses and their videos as well as nearby crime cameras the teens were quickly caught by the New Orleans Police Department. It is because there was so much outrage that the New Orleans District Attorney was quick to respond and will prosecute the teens to the fullest extent of the law. The four girls in the vehicle were fifteen years old but none of them at any time tried to stop the male driver out of concern for the elderly woman they were dragging along the street and the screams they could hear from her agony as she was being drug along the way. There was no compassion shown for that grandmother who was one month away from retirement or the family that has been left behind without her.

This is the most recent horror story of its kind. It’s most unfortunate that there have been far too many other stories related to gun violence or carjackings resulting in death in New Orleans! New Orleanians were outraged to learn that with New Orleans District Attorney Jason Williams had allowed far too many felony cases, many of which were violent crimes slip through the cracks. From 2019 – 2022, homicides have increased by 93%, shootings have increased by 220%, carjackings have increased by 450%, and robberies have increased by 74%. As reported by Fox 8, DA Jason Williams addressed the increase in “701 Releases” by his office in a press conference in February 2022. “701 Releases” refers to an article in Louisiana State Criminal Court that gives defendants the right to a speedy trial. It sets a time limit on how long the district attorney must file charges. In most cases, if the DA fails to bring charges, the defendant is released from jail after two months behind bars. If the defendant is already out on bond, in most cases, they are released from their bond obligations after 150 days. The number of “701 Releases” was staggering in 2021 allowing violent offenders to go free to commit more violent crimes as repeat offenders. The 17 year old male in the Frickey carjacking was arrested as an adult in a carjacking as a 15 year old by the prior District Attorney Leon Cannizarro, however, he was released along with the other offenders when DA Jason Williams came into office to repeat the same offense.

My prayers go out to all of the victims of violent crimes, their loved ones, and the citizens of the City of New Orleans who are also victims of these crimes. I pray for the criminals that they find peace in their lives. I pray for the first responders and the criminal justice system that they make the correct decisions for the good of the whole society. I pray for families, that they can foster love and support for each family member demonstrating that love from conception to the grave.

ACTION STEPS:

1. PRAY THE ROSARY FOR PEACE: http://www.marian.org
2. PRAY THE DIVINE MERCY CHAPLET FOR PEACE: www.thedivinemercy.org