Pubdate: Thu, 04 Sep 2003 Source: Ogdensburg Journal/Advance News (NY) Copyright: 2003 St. Lawrence County Newspapers Corp Contact: P.O. Box 409, Ogdensburg, New York 13669 Website: http://www.ogd.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/689 Note: Accepts LTEs by mail only! Must be signed w/phone# Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine) CASE THROWN OUT NEW YORK- A federal judge has thrown out a manslaughter case against a Drug Enforcement Administration agent who fatally shot an unarmed drug suspect in the back, calling it an "ill-advised prosecution." The agent, Jude Tanella, "demonstrated restraint, sound judgement and courage in the proper exercise of his sworn duty to protect the public," U.S. District Judge Nickolas Garaufis wrote in a 35 page decision issued Wednesday in Brooklyn. The rare manslaughter case against a veteran agent had outraged DEA officials, who said Tanella acted in self-defense while struggling with a dangerous suspect on May 1. 2002. The suspect, Egbert Dewgard, was carrying more than six pounds of cocaine before he was killed, authorities said. The decision "says that agents who are sworn to protect the public don't give up the right to protect themselves," said Tony Placido, head of the DEA's New York office. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin