Suspect in rape of two girls - and on his way to being appointed police chief: "There's no way to stop this"
Christopher Paul (48), arrested on suspicion of raping two 13-year-old girls about 20 years ago, is expected to be appointed police chief in the town of Elizabeth, Louisiana, after his only opponent withdrew from the race. Local law allows taking office as long as there is no conviction, and residents are working to change the appointment system.
A storm in the town of Elizabeth, Louisiana: Christopher Paul (48), arrested last month on suspicion of raping two 13-year-old girls about 20 years ago, is expected to become the town's police chief. Paul is now the only candidate for the position after his opponent, Zachary Lacaze, withdrew from the race due to federal law restrictions (Hatch Act). Under Louisiana law, a candidate is disqualified from office only upon conviction of a crime, not due to unresolved charges. The town's mayor, Mandy Leo Green, clarified that she has no authority to disqualify his candidacy. Meanwhile, the Youth Peace & Justice Foundation called on Paul to withdraw his candidacy. The town council approved a local referendum in December to decide on changing the method of selecting the police chief from direct appointment to appointment with council approval. Paul himself refused to comment on the matter.