‘Outrageous’ handcuffing of New Orleans journalist sends ‘chilling message,’ says media group

Danny Monteverde had been protesting the closure of a courtroom during indictment of state attorney general

The outrageous" handcuffing of a New Orleans journalist covering the indictment in July of Louisiana's attorney general - a case that ultimately was dismissed - conveyed a chilling message to members of the press and the public" for which there is no excuse, according to a prominent media rights advocacy organization.

An attorney for the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press (RCFP) made those assertions in a recent letter to the New Orleans criminal district courthouse where deputies temporarily detained WWL Louisiana investigative producer Danny Monteverde and outlet lawyer Elana Beiser in the course of their duties in early July.