MAN NOW SAYS DRAGGING ATTACK WAS A DRUG DEAL GONE BAD

SLIDELL, La. -- A black man who claimed he was dragged by three white men
for 2 1/2 blocks has changed his story and told police it was actually a
drug deal gone bad.

The attack last Saturday on Cornelius Weaver, 23, had been investigated as a
hate crime until he backed off the details earlier in the week and said it
appeared to be a case of mistaken identity.

James Hartman, a spokesman for the St. Tammany Parish sheriff, said Friday
that Weaver now has recanted and given a taped statement to investigators
that he fabricated the story.

Investigators have also talked to two women ``who confessed to dragging
Weaver after they ripped him off in a drug deal and he attempted to invade
the car,'' Hartman said.

The women, who were not identified, said they bought three rocks of crack
cocaine from Weaver but gave him a blank piece of paper instead of the $50
bill they promised.

Hartman said the case has been turned over to the district attorney. A
variety of charges are possible, ranging from filing a false report to
distribution of cocaine, carjacking or battery, he said.

Weaver's original report to police was similar to the recent assault on
James Byrd Jr., 49, who was dragged to death in a racial attack in Jasper,
Texas, earlier this month. Three white men believed to have ties to white
supremacist groups are suspects in that case.

Checked-by: Melodi Cornett