Felony Charges Against Louisiana Attorney General Dismissed

Felony charges against Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill were dismissed by special prosecutor Laurie White. Murrill was initially indicted on allegations of threatening New Orleans officials who opposed a Republican-led overhaul of courts in the city.

Shortly after the July 2 indictment, the Louisiana Supreme Court intervened, citing procedural issues. The dismissal followed a letter from New Orleans District Attorney Jason Williams, Mayor Helena Moreno, and five City Council members requesting the case be dropped.

What I did was not a crime, it was never a crime, said Murrill, asserting a malicious prosecution. The case highlighted growing tensions between Republican state leaders and Democrats governing Louisiana’s largest city. Orleans Parish records show White submitted the officials’ letters to a judge before each count was dismissed.

In a statement, White emphasized fulfilling her role as special prosecutor, noting the indictment was a grand jury’s decision. White expressed concern over interference in the prosecution, calling it truly unfortunate but offered no details.

Republican Governor Jeff Landry had assured a swift pardon for Murrill. He praised her at a news conference about Tropical Storm Bertha preparations, welcoming state and federal investigations into the indictment’s origins.
Landry questioned the case’s legitimacy, suggesting the feds need to come in.

The indictment related to accusations of Murrill threatening officials over a law merging jobs within the local judiciary, contested by New Orleans leaders. Murrill argued her actions were legal advice, not threats.

I didn’t write that law. The Legislature wrote that law. I just explained it to them, Murrill stated, dismissing claims of public intimidation or extortion.

The mayor and council members rebuffed Murrill’s warnings as legally implausible. In Tuesday’s letter, they expressed ongoing commitment to serving New Orleans despite the threats perceived in Murrill’s correspondence.