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Why are accurate descriptions of crime suspects so difficult to come by? (Live coverage of Loyola Law Review symposium)

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Accurate descriptions of suspects have proven to be extremely difficult to come by, even under the best of circumstances, a noted criminologist said Friday morning during the 2018 Loyola Law Review Symposium, “Protecting the Innocent: Louisiana’s Reform of Eyewitness Identifications.” The quality of witness descriptions is heavily influenced by both the quality of the witness’s memory and the techniques used by law enforcement to elicit those details, said Dr. Jennifer Dysart of John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City. For example, the presence of a weapon in a robbery often occupies the victim’s attention more than the suspect’s face, and brain research simply shows that all people have more trouble identifying facial features of races different from their own. New research has identified techniques to improve the accuracy of these descriptions, Dysart said, so law-enforcement training should begin to include them. The symposium also included a presentation by Robert Jones, who was wrongfully convicted of a crime spree in New Orleans in the 1990s, but went on to become Angola’s prison counsel for nearly 20 years before he was exonerated and released in 2017.

arts, books and music

Loyola production of ‘Merchant of Venice’ enters final weekend run

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If you missed the premiere weekend of Loyola University’s production of Shakespeare’s “Merchant of Venice,” you have a few remaining chances to catch it through Saturday. For details, see the news release below:

The world of William Shakespeare comes to life in November as the Department of Theatre Arts and Dance at Loyola University New Orleans presents the bard’s groundbreaking dramatic masterpiece, “The Merchant of Venice,” an unforgettable tale of mercy and justice, generosity and greed. Directed by associate theatre professor Laura Hope, Ph.D., the play will run in the Marquette Theater on Loyola’s main campus Nov. 1, 2, 7, 8 and 9 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 3 at 2 p.m.

“The Merchant of Venice” mixes elements of comedy and tragedy to provide a complex exploration of religious and ethnic discrimination, hypocrisy and rampant materialism.

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Light “Sneaux”-fall creates sense of winter joy on Loyola lawn

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Despite temperatures in the mid-60s, the front lawn of Loyola University hosted a giant snowball fight on a carpet of snow Wednesday night for the annual “Sneaux” event. In addition to the snow, the university also provided hot chocolate, s’mores, cookies, Christmas music, activities for children and an appearance by Santa Claus.

arts, books and music

Loyola presentation of Leonard Bernstein’s “Candide” in January to feature record-size orchestra

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The Loyola Opera Theatre, backed by the largest orchestra ever used in a Loyola opera, will perform Leonard Bernstein’s ‘Candide’ Friday (Jan. 18) and Sunday (Jan. 20). For more information see the following press release from Loyola University’s Office of Public Affairs:

‘Candide’ features largest orchestra ever used in a Loyola opera

The Loyola Opera Theatre brings the legacy and genius of American composer Leonard Bernstein to life with its new production of the fast-paced comic operetta, “Candide,” Friday, Jan. 18 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Jan.

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Sneaux@Loyno will blanket Loyola University lawn with snow

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Snow will cover the Marquette Horseshoe lawn at Loyola University, along with a visit from Santa and other holiday festivities on Wednesday evening (Dec. 5). For more information see the following press release from Loyola:

Twenty tons of manufactured snow will blanket the Marquette Horseshoe lawn at Loyola University New Orleans next month, creating a winter wonderland for faculty, staff, students and neighbors. The annual Sneaux@Loyno event, sponsored by the University Programming Board, will take place Wednesday, Dec. 5 from 6-8 p.m.

Festivities include hot chocolate, Christmas cookies, a face painting station and pictures with Santa and his elves.

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Prosecutors, activists and professors to discuss U.S. immigration detention system

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A panel of prosecutors, federal officials, Loyola University professors and social-justice advocates will discuss the United States immigration detention system at Loyola University in an all-day symposium Friday (Nov. 30) called “Dialogues on Detention: Applying Lessons from Criminal Justice Reform to the Immigration Detention System”. For more information see the following press release:

Loyola University New Orleans College of Law and nonprofit Human Rights First are hosting local and national immigration and criminal justice/corrections experts Friday, Nov. 30 for a symposium designed to tackle challenges plaguing the U.S. immigration detention system. The event will focus on lessons learned in Louisiana as the day’s panelists discuss ways to improve U.S. immigration detention practices, bringing them in line with basic human rights principles.

arts, books and music

Loyola Theatre premieres five-day run of ‘El Nogalar’ on Wednesday

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Loyola University will premiere “El Nogalar,” a contemporary adaptation of Chekhov’s “The Cherry Orchard” set in Mexico, Wednesday (Nov. 28) with five performances running through Dec. 2. For more information see the following press release:

Loyola Theatre presents New Orleans premiere of ‘El Nogalar’

The Department of Theatre Arts and Dance at Loyola University New Orleans continues its season with the New Orleans premiere of Tanya Saracho’s “El Nogalar,” an explosive tale of humor and heartache in today’s changing Mexico. The play will run in the Lower Depths Theater in the Communications/Music Complex Nov.

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State’s first African-American chief justice to speak on race at Loyola

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Louisiana’s first African-American chief justice will speak on race at Loyola University’s symposium on higher education at 5:30 p.m. Friday (Nov. 9). For more information see the following press release from Loyola University:

The Hon. Bernette Johnson, J.D., current associate justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court and future chief justice next year, will deliver the keynote address for a Nov. 9 symposium on race in higher education hosted by the Loyola University New Orleans College of Law and the Journal of Public Interest Law.

arts, books and music

Friday night performance of TV, film scores and classical works by Loyola orchestra among free concerts in November

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Beginning with a Friday-night orchestral performance of TV and film scores and classical works, Loyola University is hosting a series of major music ensembles open to the public throughout November. For more information see the following press release from Loyola University:

Montage November concerts showcase major music ensembles

The Montage Fine and Performing Arts Series continues this month with performances by some of the major music ensembles at Loyola University New Orleans. All events are free and open to the public. The New Orleans Volunteer Orchestra will offer a concert on Friday, Nov. 9 at 7:30 p.m. in Roussel Hall featuring contemporary music from film and television as well as classical works from Gustav Holst and Maurice Ravel.

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Issues of legal transparency to be discussed at Loyola University forum

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Issues of transparency in the legislative process, criminal justice, the courtroom and in private contracts will be discussed this week in a two-day forum at the Loyola University College of Law. For details, see the following news release:

Is today’s information society really the best breeding ground for transparency in government? Scholars hailing from Europe and North America will convene at Loyola University New Orleans to discuss that question along with the many facets of openness in government for the XIIth Congress of the International Association of Legal Methodology. The free two-day event hosted by the Loyola University New Orleans College of Law is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 1, from 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. and Friday, Nov.