A last-minute plea by former New Orleanian Ricardo J. Irvin put to rest the speculation whether a jury might convict and subsequently send him to Louisiana’s death chamber.

This story might tempt some folks to associate everyone who has relocated from New Orleans to New Iberia following Hurricane Katrina with crime, but they should not.

On Aug. 2, Daily Iberian reporter Jim Mustian in detail explained how Irvin blew into town months after Hurricane Katrina in 2005 wiped out his hometown. But Irvin first spent time in Houston, during which time he is accused of gunning down two men. One was killed; the second survived even after spending three days beneath a mattress where he was left for dead. That is tragic, but those monstrous things should be associated only with Irvin himself.

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No doubt, there are several cases of people from New Orleans who now call New Iberia home and are model residents and good contributors to the community.

Just look at Ronald Stanfield who played piano with the likes of Irma Thomas, Fats Domino and Aaron Neville. He retired as a nursing home activities coordinator and moved from New Orleans after the storm. Now he’s a part-time custodian at Highland Baptist Christian School where he has found a home.

Or look at Kimberly Johnson-Nagle and her family. They lost everything to Katrina’s wrath. Johnson-Nagle has found a place in New Iberia. Her husband, Fergus, works in the community, she is enrolled in South Louisiana Community College and soon could have her daughter Noelle, who recently graduated from New Iberia Senior High, join her in a quest to better themselves.

Certainly there must be many more good examples like these folks, more so than the ones such as in Irvin’s case.

It is easy to lump people together by the bad actions of a few. We should take the high road and judge individuals by their actions.

JEFF ZERINGUE

MANAGING EDITOR