A special prosecutor on Wednesday dismissed all felony criminal charges against Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill, who had been indicted on accusations of threatening New Orleans officials. The case was dismissed after a letter from city officials urging the prosecutor to drop the charges.
The dismissal of felony charges against Louisiana's Attorney General Liz Murrill resolves a legal dispute that highlighted political tensions between the state's Republican leadership and New Orleans' Democratic officials, potentially impacting future intergovernmental relations and the administration of justice in the state.
A special prosecutor on Wednesday dismissed all felony criminal charges against Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill. Murrill had been indicted on accusations of threatening the jobs of New Orleans officials who opposed a Republican-led overhaul of courts in the city.
The case was put on hold shortly after the July indictment when the Louisiana Supreme Court questioned the procedures followed by the local court and the special prosecutor. The dismissal by special prosecutor Laurie White came a day after New Orleans District Attorney Jason Williams, Mayor Helena Moreno, and five City Council members sent a letter urging White to drop the case.
Murrill, a Republican, stated that the case should never have been started as there was no crime. She vowed to continue investigating the actions that led to the charges. Orleans Parish online court records indicated that White submitted letters from city officials to a judge before dismissing each count, leading to the case being ordered closed.
The dispute originated from tensions between the Republican-led state and Democratic leaders in New Orleans over a new law that abolished a court clerk office previously held by Calvin Duncan, an exoneree. Supporters of the law claimed it would improve efficiency, while New Orleans leaders opposed it. Murrill had warned local officials they could face consequences for violating state laws by supporting an unauthorized officeholder.
Governor Jeff Landry had previously pledged a swift pardon for Murrill, asserting her reputation should not be tarnished by what he called an "Orleans Kangaroo court."