Overview
- An Orleans Parish grand jury returned a 16-count indictment charging Attorney General Liz Murrill with eight counts of malfeasance and eight counts of public intimidation over letters she sent to New Orleans officials.
- The indictment followed Murrill’s May letters warning city leaders they could lose office under Louisiana’s usurper laws for recognizing a rival clerk after the legislature consolidated the criminal and civil clerk posts.
- A judge set Murrill’s bond at $400,000 and issued a warrant after the grand jury acted, and Murrill immediately vowed to seek emergency relief from the state’s high court.
- The Louisiana Supreme Court granted a stay early Friday, citing reports that reporters were barred or handcuffed during grand-jury action and noting that the special prosecutor, former Judge Laurie White, had prior ties to the matter that may create a conflict of interest.
- The case has widened partisan conflict: Gov. Jeff Landry pledged a quick pardon if Murrill is convicted and the dispute raises practical questions about who will handle prosecutions and the rules that govern grand juries and special prosecutors in Louisiana.