A New Orleans grand jury delivered a 16-count indictment on Thursday against Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill, a Republican, on charges including intimidation and malfeasance. The state's highest-ranking legal official is accused of issuing threats to local public servants amid a contentious political disagreement concerning the Orleans Parish criminal court clerk's office.
This indictment specifically alleges that Murrill, who is the first woman to serve as Louisiana's attorney general, threatened to remove local officials from their positions if they pursued actions she contended were in violation of state statutes.
Attorney General Faces Multiple Charges
Assistant District Attorney Laurie White, who is leading the prosecution, stated on Thursday that she anticipates the case will be "very simple" and "very open and shut."
In response to the indictment, Attorney General Murrill posted on X, characterizing the charges as "retaliatory, meritless, and unconstitutional." She affirmed her intention to promptly appeal the decision to the Louisiana Supreme Court.
I will not back down. I will continue enforcing the law, fighting corruption, and doing the job the people of Louisiana elected me to do.
Court records indicate that bond for Attorney General Murrill was established at $400,000 on Thursday.
Official Reactions and Gubernatorial Defense
Governor Jeff Landry, also a Republican, swiftly came to Murrill's defense, declaring his intention to pardon her "as fast as the law allows." Governor Landry asserted that Murrill "will not have to worry about having her reputation tarnished by this kangaroo grand jury or the Orleans Kangaroo court."
He further criticized the local judiciary, remarking, "The criminal justice system is a circus at its finest in Orleans and we will not have any of that!"
Subsequently, Governor Landry issued another post calling for an inquiry into the grand jury's actions.
Based on the information contained in the motion by @AGLizMurrill, I am ordering the State Police to immediately begin investigating the alleged improprieties of this grand jury and those who ran it!
Roots of the Political Contention
The charges against Murrill are rooted in a protracted disagreement, spanning several months, involving state leaders and New Orleans officials concerning the Orleans Parish criminal court clerk's office.
This contentious situation originated when Louisiana lawmakers, spurred by Governor Landry, passed a Republican-supported legislative reform. This reform abolished the elected position of Orleans Parish criminal court clerk subsequent to Calvin Duncan's victory in the election for that office. Duncan had previously spent nearly three decades incarcerated before his conviction was ultimately overturned. The new legislation reallocated the clerk's responsibilities to the parish's civil court clerk, thereby precluding Duncan from assuming the role.
When New Orleans officials attempted to facilitate Duncan's installation or devise a method for him to take office, Attorney General Murrill issued warnings that such actions could lead to their removal under Louisiana's "usurper" statutes. These laws specifically forbid providing support to an individual holding an unauthorized public office. Prosecutors contend that these explicit warnings constitute the foundation for the criminal charges now brought against her.
"We’re very interested in elected officials in New Orleans not being intimidated or threatened by letter or any other way," Assistant District Attorney White informed journalists following the unsealing of the indictment.
