Louisiana's highest court has granted a stay of proceedings in a criminal indictment against the state's attorney general, Liz Murrill, a Republican, in the latest escalation of a political battle between Republican state leaders and Democratic officials in New Orleans. The Louisiana Supreme Court issued the stay on Friday, January 24, 2025, just one day after a New Orleans grand jury indicted Murrill on 16 counts of intimidation and malfeasance.
Details of the Indictment
The indictment, returned on Thursday, accused Murrill of attempting to intimidate New Orleans officials who opposed a law passed by Republican legislators to overhaul the city's courts. The charges include intimidation and malfeasance in office. Murrill, the first female attorney general in Louisiana, quickly moved for a stay, which the supreme court granted, citing "compelling argument concerning the disturbing defects in the grand jury proceedings and in the trial court's handling of those proceedings."
Political Reactions
Murrill described the charges as "retaliatory, meritless and unconstitutional" in a post on X, stating she would continue "doing the job the people of Louisiana elected me to do." Republican Governor Jeff Landry also defended her, promising a swift pardon and asserting that Murrill would not have her reputation tarnished by a "kangaroo court."
Courtroom Sealing Incident
The grand jury indictment was shrouded in secrecy. When Judge Leon Roche ordered the courtroom sealed for the return of the indictment, news media members were escorted out. WWL Louisiana, a local news outlet and Guardian reporting partner, protested the closure. An investigative producer, Danny Monteverde, and the outlet's attorney, Elana Beiser, were handcuffed and removed from the courtroom and an outside hallway. Judge Roche did not explain the sealing at the time, but a court spokesperson later stated that grand jurors must be physically present for indictments and that confidentiality protects their identities for free deliberation.
Background of Political Tensions
The conflict stems from a new law that abolished a court clerk office held by Calvin Duncan, who was exonerated after spending nearly 30 years in prison for a murder he did not commit. Murrill had warned eight New Orleans officials, including Mayor Helena Moreno and District Attorney Jason Williams, that they could face removal for opposing the law. Duncan believes state officials retaliated against him by eliminating his position, which he won with 68% of the vote in November. Murrill and Governor Landry have refused to acknowledge Duncan as exonerated, despite his listing on the National Registry of Exonerations.
Supreme Court Order
The supreme court's stay order allows Murrill to "assert any and all necessary defensive pleadings, including motions to quash." It also noted that the stay does not prevent the filing of motions for the recusal of either the special prosecutor, former judge Laurie White, or the trial judge. White had previously served as an attorney for Duncan, raising concerns about impartiality.
