I am sure that I speak for all of us at bloggingneworleans.com when I extend my deepest condolences to the friends and family of Nia Robertson, senselessly killed at Pal's bar in Mid-City Wednesday night by a clean-cut, unstable drifter.
Although her life is no more or less important than the lives of the hundred-ten plus other lives lost to violence in New Orleans this year, her killing might well be about the most shocking. Not infrequently in this city, murders are what criminologists refer to as "victim-precipitated," meaning that the victim had a hand in circumstances that brought about his or her death; in this one, Robertson is absolutely blameless. She was just having a drink at a local bar, just like a huge number of New Orleanians do every evening.
The killer, a maladjusted madman from up north, has been arrested largely due to a Mid-City hero named Allen Parks, who trailed the murderer to an apartment where he was likely to commit another killing. The killer's actions are those of a lunatic, and it is unfortunate that our wonderful city has become a sump for the nation's creepiest derelicts.
Mental health services are deplorable in town, but even if they were top-notch, it's doubtful the killer would have been identified and properly served. We, the sane, aren't powerless to oppose such madness, as the actions of Mr. Parks demonstrate. But we are caught in a web of insanity in the Crescent City. Politicians are insanely corrupt, criminals are insanely vicious, and agencies of "relief" are insanely bureaucratic. It's been said that half the city is in therapy, and the other half needs it.
The only thing we can get reliably, though, is a good stiff drink at a local watering hole. Thanks to one sorry, lone son of a bitch, though, lots of us might not even feel safe doing that for a while.
Rest in peace Nia Robertson
Reader Comments
(Page 1)2. Nia Robertson, RIP. The observation that New Orleans has to deal with more than its share of emotionally and mentally unstable individuals from outside Louisiana is, and has been, all too true.
My family members are among the victims of such an individual, Nicola Jagessar, a Trinidadian who fled California as an appeal court decision was going against her, and pursuant to which she may face criminal charges. Jagessar has taken temporary refuge in New Orleans.
Jagessar claims to be a volunteer and activist, but we've learned she was ostracized from a Whittier College student NOLA relief group when she was in California, and while she now claims she has been associated with Common Ground Relief, Malik Rahim says Jagessar has not and won't be associated with CGR.
The danger Nicola Jagessar poses to herself and others can be seen at www.whittiergate.com. We may not be so quick as Allen Parks, but we have forewarned you about a known dangerous individual in your midst.
Best luck, you all.
Sincerely,
Bart Brown
Posted at 2:14AM on Aug 20th 2007 by Bart Brown
3. We have known the family for years. We knew Nias' mother before Nia was born. Our prayers are with the family and friends of the Robertsons.
May God be with them in this time of their lost of this beautiful young woman and whomever else was injuried in this senseless situation.
Sincerely,
The Brown Family
Posted at 7:49PM on Aug 21st 2007 by The Browns
4. Friends from Southern California send their condolences
to the Robertson family."May the warm memories of the past help you through this time of sorrow."
God Bless you,
The Browns and many friends
Posted at 7:51PM on Aug 21st 2007 by The Browns
1. Well, one step in the right direction might be furnish help to people with propensities for violence at an early age, instead up propping up the military-industrial complex by rewarding violent behavior, and turning people with troubled minds into psychopathic murderers.
I, too, am profoundly saddened by Nia's death.
Posted at 9:00PM on Aug 17th 2007 by Schroeder