In the early hours of March 29, 2015, a dispute that began inside a New Orleans bar tragically escalated, claiming the life of 33-year-old Gregory Journee. An African American male, Journee was fatally shot outside the establishment on North Broad Street at approximately 1:10 a.m. The entire incident was captured by surveillance cameras.
The conflict originated when Journee's cousin threw a cup at the bartender, Cornell Augustine, who was 38 years old at the time.
In response, Augustine jumped over the bar to confront the cousin, and the altercation quickly moved outside. Journee intervened in an attempt to de-escalate the situation and was seen on video putting Augustine in a headlock to separate the two men.
After breaking free from Journee's grasp, Augustine produced a firearm and shot Journee five times in the chest, back, and arm as he tried to flee the scene. Journee succumbed to his injuries.
Cornell Augustine was subsequently arrested and charged with second-degree murder. On the day his trial was set to begin, in a resolution described as the first of its kind for the Orleans Parish District Attorney's office, Augustine agreed to a plea deal facilitated through mediation with Journee's family. He pleaded guilty to the reduced charge of manslaughter. In accordance with the plea agreement, Cornell Augustine was sentenced to a 30-year prison term.
