Harry Connick Sr., the father of actor/singer Harry Connick Jr. and district attorney in New Orleans, died at the age of 97. This article will discuss the cause of death and obituary announcement for Harry Connick Sr.
Harry Connick Sr. dies at 97. Cause of death and obituary announcement
At his New Orleans residence, on Thursday, January 25, 2024, Connick departed “peacefully.” According to an obituary published by Connick Jr.’s publicist, family members who were with him included the 56-year-old Independence Day star, his wife Londa, and daughter Suzanna.
The cause of the death has not been made known to the general public. Connick Jr., 56, shared a selfie with his father in November, and the two looked to be beaming broadly.
“Spending time with my father is my absolute favorite thing in the world!” he captioned the adorable photo. It’s not enough, even though I get to see him once a month in New Orleans! He’s still my hero and inspiration at ninety-seven years old. Father, you have my undying love!
Connick Sr., a thirty-year district attorney in New Orleans, was later charged with ordering his staff to conceal evidence that would have favoured defendants.
Connick defeated prosecutor Jim Garrison in a 1973 election. His ability to garner support from both races allowed him to win reelection four times, even as the city’s political power base shifted to African Americans.
Connick went unbeaten the entire time before retiring in 2003. But later on, he was plagued by questions about whether his office had buried evidence that would have favored the defendants.
The issue gained attention after the United States Supreme Court ruled in 2011 in favor of John Thompson, who was released from Louisiana’s death row after serving 14 years for a murder he did not commit.
Overturning a $14 million award for Thompson, the Supreme Court ruled in a 5-4 decision that the district attorney’s office in New Orleans should not be penalized for failing to specifically train prosecutors on their duties to share evidence that could prove a defendant’s innocence.
In a scathing dissent, Judge Ruth Bader Ginsberg criticized “Connick’s deliberately indifferent attitude…”.
