Tales of terror

By Rebecca Fraser
NARRE Warren hurricane survivor Ashley McDonald has told of the frightening ordeal he faced in two Louisiana jails after he says he was ‘virtually left for dead’.
The 30yearold was missing for almost two weeks after flying to America to visit his Tennessee based sister.
He said his family feared that he had been killed when Hurricane Katrina struck on 29 August.
But, in fact, Mr McDonald was struggling to survive in prison as he shared cells and exercise yards with death row inmates convicted of murder and rape.
Mr McDonald was detained in Bourbon Street, New Orleans, shortly after his arrival for being drunk and disorderly but all charges have since been dropped.
The factory worker and brake press operator who works for ShearForm Construction in Dandenong spoke to the News from Tennessee this week.
He said he was glad that his ‘nightmare’ was finally over.
“In New Orleans Parish Prison they left us for dead and we were put into lock down on the Monday before the storm hit.
“They did not come back until Thursday to get us and we had no food, no toilet, no water and no air conditioning.
“When we did get fed they just threw peanut butter sandwiches over the fence and everyone fought for them.
“During this time some inmates got out of their cells and there were riots and they even smashed through bullet proof glass.
“One hundred odd prisoners even got up onto the roof and escaped,” he said.
Mr McDonald said he was then transferred to Baton Rouge’s Elayn Hunt Correctional Centre where he witnessed numerous stabbings and bashings.
“When we got there 7500 prisoners were put out in an exercise yard the size of a football field.
“There was a rumour that there was a gun going around and I was mugged for my prison shirt.
“I tell you, when there is a screw driver to your ribs you give things up pretty quick.
“Everyone had homemade knives and in the middle of the night you could even hear people sharpening them on the concrete.
“They knew what they were doing so I just pulled up a patch of grass and stuck to it and tried to keep to myself,” he said.
Despite his ordeal, Mr McDonald said he could now look back on the incident with some amusement, but also with a tinge of embarrassment.
He also said he had been shocked by all of the media attention.
“I am just an ordinary taxpayer. I did not think people would know and care so much.
“I just got caught in the wrong place and at the wrong time,” he said.
Mr McDonald’s sister Jasmine Mutnansky said his family had feared the worst when reports surfaced that his credit cards and wallet had been found.
“When his wallet turned up but he did not it did not look good at all,” she said.
“He had planned to contact me on the 28th but it turns out that he was so eager to get down to Bourbon Street that he did not call,” she said.
Ms Mutnansky said what her brother had experienced had been worse than a hurricane and they were still trying to locate his belongings.
Ms Mutnansky said she hoped the suitcase showed up soon as she was awaiting the arrival of some Australian treats which Ashley had brought out for her.
“There were Tim Tams, Milo, cordial, lollies and Vegemite in the suitcase for me.
“Now I will have to wait until next time to get some,” she said.