In a surprising twist to Louisiana’s legal landscape, the state’s Republican Attorney General, Liz Murrill, faces serious charges. A grand jury in New Orleans has indicted her on accusations of attempting to intimidate local officials who opposed a controversial law that reshaped the local judiciary.
According to the indictment, Murrill warned eight officials in New Orleans, including Mayor Helena Moreno and District Attorney Jason Williams, about potential job removal for their resistance to the legislation. This law notably abolished the role of Orleans Parish criminal court clerk shortly before Calvin Duncan, a man wrongfully imprisoned for many years, was to assume the position after being elected with 68% backing.
The legislation, passed swiftly at the behest of Republican Governor Jeff Landry, was seen by Duncan’s supporters as an attempt by a largely conservative, white legislature to undermine voter intentions in a predominantly Black, Democratic city within a Republican-dominated state.
Governor Landry expressed outrage over the indictment through a social media post, pledging to expedite a pardon for Murrill. “The criminal justice system is a circus at its finest in Orleans, and we will not have any of that!” he stated on X, denouncing the process as a “Kangaroo court.”
The Republican Attorneys General Association echoed Landry’s sentiment, labeling the indictment as both “outrageous” and “dangerous.” They defended Murrill’s actions as merely providing a legal opinion and cautioning public officials about the law, a standard part of her role. However, critics argue it was an attempt to pressure officials into compliance.
Prior to the official commencement of Duncan’s role, local officials held an unofficial swearing-in ceremony outside the Orleans Parish Criminal District Court, even as legislators deliberated over the law to eliminate his position. Mayor Moreno, a Democrat, refrained from commenting on the specifics of the indictment, stating, “My focus, as always, remains on fulfilling the responsibilities the people of New Orleans elected me to carry out.”
Assistant Attorney General Laurie White, leading the prosecution, addressed the media post-indictment. She emphasized the importance of ensuring that New Orleans officials remain free from intimidation or threats. White projected confidence in the case’s simplicity and anticipated a straightforward trial, remarking, “Let’s get her convicted, and then he can pardon her,” in reference to Landry’s pardon promise.
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Associated Press reporter Jack Brook contributed from New Orleans.
