The Louisiana Supreme Court has halted the criminal case against State Attorney General Liz Murrill, a Republican, just a day after she was indicted on accusations of threatening the jobs of officials in New Orleans. The court stated that the local court and special prosecutor involved in the indictment process did not follow proper procedures.
The ruling puts the case on hold, and Murrill has indicated her intention to seek its dismissal. The situation highlights a significant division between Republican state officials and the Democratic leadership of Louisiana's most populous city.
Court Cites Procedural Flaws in Indictment
The 16-count indictment, issued by a New Orleans grand jury, had charged Murrill with intimidation and malfeasance. However, the Louisiana Supreme Court identified substantial issues with the charges. In its filing, the court noted, "This indictment appears to turn the law on its head and flows from what appear to be extraordinary procedural defects and improprieties."
Key concerns raised by the court include potential conflicts of interest involving the special prosecutor, Laurie White, a former state judge. The court pointed out that the attorney general's office is defending White against a sexual harassment lawsuit, creating a likely conflict.
Furthermore, the court examined the legal basis for the intimidation charge, noting that the relevant statute requires threats to be "unlawful or include a threat of bodily harm or death." The Supreme Court's filing suggested that Murrill is likely to succeed in having the case dismissed and would suffer irreparable harm if the proceedings continued.
The order was supported by four Republican justices and one Democrat, though two other justices, a Democrat and an independent, dissented. Justice John Guidry, a Democrat, expressed criticism of the swift decision, stating, "Due process and equal protection under the law does not allow anyone to cut the line and have their matters considered more preferentially than others."
Case Originates from Court System Shake-Up
This legal action is a consequence of a recent political dispute in Louisiana concerning the state's court system. Earlier this year, the position of the New Orleans criminal court clerk was abolished and merged with another clerk position. This change occurred months after Calvin Duncan, who had previously been imprisoned before his murder conviction was overturned, was elected to the criminal clerk office.
Murrill and other Republican officials have not publicly acknowledged Duncan's innocence, despite his inclusion in the National Registry of Exonerations. The court also identified Duncan's prior representation by White as another "likely conflict of interest."
The indictment followed a letter from Murrill to New Orleans city council members and Mayor Helena Moreno. The letter was sent after the city council scheduled a special election that would have allowed Duncan to contend for the combined clerk role. Murrill warned officials that they could face removal from their offices for supporting what she deemed an unauthorized officeholder.
Murrill has maintained that her actions were in line with her duties. Following the indictment, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, a Republican, announced his intention to pardon Murrill and ordered state police to investigate alleged improprieties within the grand jury process. On Friday, the governor commended the Supreme Court's decision and characterized the indictment as a "political witch hunt."