Indictment of Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill Amid Political Dispute

A grand jury in New Orleans has indicted Liz Murrill, Louisiana’s Republican Attorney General, on charges including intimidation and misconduct. These allegations, it seems, stem from a contentious political battle involving the Orleans Parish criminal court clerk’s office.

The indictment consists of 16 counts, suggesting that Murrill, who holds the distinction of being Louisiana’s first female attorney general, allegedly threatened to remove local officials should they proceed with actions she deemed unlawful.

Laurie White, the Assistant District Attorney assigned to the case, remarked that she anticipates the proceedings will be “very simple” and “very open and shut.”

Murrill took to social media, labeling the charges as “retaliatory, meritless, and unconstitutional.” She expressed her intent to appeal the decision to the Louisiana Supreme Court, asserting, “I will not back down. I will continue to enforce the law, fight corruption, and do the job the people of Louisiana elected me to do.”

In support of Murrill, Republican Governor Jeff Landry stated he intends to pardon her “as soon as the law allows.” He also criticized the grand jury, describing it as a “Kangaroo Grand Jury” and suggested that Murrill’s reputation should remain intact despite the indictment.

Landry didn’t hold back, characterizing the local criminal justice system in New Orleans as “a high-end circus.” He called for an investigation into the conduct of the grand jury following this incident.

The charges follow a lengthy conflict between state authorities and officials in New Orleans regarding the Orleans Parish Criminal Court Clerk’s Office. After the election of Calvin Duncan—who had served nearly three decades in prison before his conviction was overturned—the Louisiana Legislature, influenced by Landry, enacted a review that abolished the elected clerk position. This law, in effect, transferred responsibilities to the civil court clerk, blocking Duncan from taking office.

As city officials attempted to facilitate Duncan’s appointment, Murrill cautioned them that they could face removal from their posts under Louisiana’s “usurper” law, leading to her prosecution.

Concerns about whether local officials felt threatened by Murrill’s actions were voiced by White after the indictment was unsealed. Meanwhile, Murrill’s bail has been set at $400,000.