Son of Miss. legislator killed by parade float

updated 11:05 a.m. ET Feb. 4, 2008

NEW ORLEANS - The son of a Mississippi political leader was killed by a float in one of the city's Mardi Gras parades.

Joseph P. "Jody" Compretta Jr., 39, was pronounced dead at the scene after being run over during the Krewe of Endymion parade on Saturday, police said.

Compretta had been riding on the second section of the three-part Endymion captain's float, Captain Eddy's S.S. Endymion. Police said witnesses told investigators that riders had to disembark from the rear float sections when it approached the Superdome near the end of the parade route. As Compretta got off, the float lurched forward and the third section ran over him, police said.

John Gagliano, the police department's chief investigator, said no one else was injured and no charges were filed.

Compretta owned a medical supply business in Bay St. Louis, Miss. His father, state Rep. Joseph Compretta, is speaker pro tem of the Mississippi House.

Police said a driver towing a float also ran over his 16-year-old brother Saturday, killing him. A man was shot in the arm on Friday night, and five people were shot Saturday shortly after the Endymion parade had passed.

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