NEW ORLEANS AP – Prosecutors created a ”mess” by compelling three of the seven police officers charged in deadly bridge shootings in Hurricane Katrina’s aftermath to testify before the grand jury that later indicted them, the judge presiding over the case said Friday.

Attorneys for Sgt. Kenneth Bowen and officers Mike Hunter Jr. and Ignatius Hills claim prosecutors improperly used their clients’ court-ordered grand jury testimony to secure indictments against them.