Louisiana AG Indicted Amid GOP Push for Pardon Support
WHO:
Alternet - Laurie White, the special prosecutor, stated, “The grand jury has returned an indictment, it is now a criminal matter.”
Alternet - Judge Leon Roche issued a warrant for Murrill's arrest.
AP News - Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry stated he would pardon Murrill “as fast as the law allows.”
AP News - Assistant District Attorney Laurie White, who is prosecuting the case, is a retired Orleans Parish criminal court judge.
AP News - Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill, Republican Governor Jeff Landry, Mayor Helena Moreno (D), District Attorney Jason Williams, Calvin Duncan, Laurie White (special prosecutor).
Alternet - Republican Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, Liz Murrill, former Judge Laurie White.
WDSU - Orleans Parish Judge Leon Roche, Calvin Johnson (interim clerk).
WHAT:
Alternet - The grand jury returned a 16-count indictment against Murrill, charging her with eight counts of malfeasance and eight counts of intimidation.
ABC News - Murrill warned local officials that they could lose their offices for violating state “usurper” laws.
AP News - Murrill's bond was set at $400,000 on Thursday, according to court records.
AP News - The grand jury returned a true bill, which means they found probable cause for the charges to move forward.
AP News - Murrill stated, “Let’s get her convicted, and then he can pardon her,” in response to Landry’s promise to pardon her.
ABC News - The Louisiana Supreme Court has halted for now the criminal case against Liz Murrill.
AP News - Murrill called the case against her “retaliatory, meritless, and unconstitutional.”
AP News - Murrill stated, “I will not back down. I will continue enforcing the law, fighting corruption, and doing the job the people of Louisiana elected me to do.”
AP News - The Republican Attorneys General Association described the indictment as “outrageous” and “dangerous.”
AP News - Liz Murrill was indicted on 16 felony counts, including eight counts of intimidation and eight counts of malfeasance, following accusations of threatening local officials.
Alternet - The grand jury returned its indictment after weeks of deliberation, and a warrant for Murrill's arrest was issued.
WDSU - Murrill's bond was set at $25,000 for each count, totaling $400,000.
ABC News - Murrill warned eight New Orleans officials, including Mayor Helena Moreno and District Attorney Jason Williams, that they could face removal from their jobs for opposing the law that eliminated the position of Orleans Parish criminal court clerk.
AP News - Liz Murrill was indicted on 16 felony counts, including eight counts of intimidation and eight counts of malfeasance.
Alternet - The grand jury returned its indictment after weeks of deliberation, and a warrant for Murrill's arrest was issued.
WDSU - Murrill's bond was set at $25,000 for each count, totaling $400,000.
WDSU - Murrill sent letters to New Orleans officials warning them of potential job loss due to a new law combining the city’s criminal and civil clerks of court.
WHERE:
AP News - New Orleans, Louisiana.
WDSU - Orleans Parish.
WHEN:
Alternet - The grand jury met on July 2 and returned a true bill.
AP News - The indictment was handed down on a Thursday.
WDSU - The grand jury met on July 2 and returned a true bill.
WHY:
ABC News - The indictment stems from accusations that Murrill threatened local public officials who opposed a Republican-led overhaul of local courts.
AP News - Murrill's actions were in response to a law that eliminated the Orleans Parish criminal court clerk position, which was won by Calvin Duncan, who spent nearly three decades in prison for a wrongful conviction.
AP News - The indictment stems from accusations that Murrill threatened local public officials who opposed a Republican-led overhaul of local courts.
WDSU - Murrill's letters warned that actions taken by the council and mayor could result in the forfeiture of their positions under Louisiana’s usurper laws.
HOW:
ABC News - Assistant District Attorney Laurie White stated she expects the case will be “very simple” and “very open and shut.”
WDSU - The public intimidation counts fall under Louisiana Revised Statute 14:122, which bars threats, intimidation, or pressure meant to influence how a public official does their job.
WDSU - The malfeasance counts fall under Louisiana Revised Statute 14:134, which applies when a public official is accused of intentionally failing to perform a duty required by law or improperly carrying out official duties.
AP News - Murrill warned local officials that their actions could result in the forfeiture of their positions under Louisiana’s usurper laws.
AP News - The assistant district attorney handling the case, Laurie White, stated she expects the case to be “very simple” and “very open and shut.”
AP News - Murrill's actions included sending letters to local officials warning them of consequences for supporting an unauthorized officeholder.
WDSU - The grand jury's investigation was initiated following the letters sent by Murrill to New Orleans city leaders.
(UPDATED July 3, 2026 21:18 UTC)
A grand jury has returned a 16-count indictment against Murrill, charging her with eight counts of malfeasance and eight counts of intimidation, according to special prosecutor Laurie White, who stated that this is now a criminal matter. Judge Leon Roche has issued a warrant for Murrill's arrest following accusations that she threatened local public officials opposing a Republican-led overhaul of local courts. White anticipates that the case will be “very simple” and “very open and shut.”
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(UPDATED July 3, 2026 17:29 UTC)
The Louisiana Supreme Court has temporarily halted the criminal case against Liz Murrill, whose bond was set at $400,000 following the grand jury's decision to move forward with charges. Murrill is facing counts of public intimidation and malfeasance, which relate to the influence of public officials and the failure to perform official duties as required by law. In a notable statement, Murrill expressed her intent to secure a conviction, referencing a promise made by Landry to pardon her afterward.
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(UPDATED July 3, 2026 11:46 UTC)
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry announced he would pardon Murrill “as fast as the law allows,” as Murrill, who is facing prosecution from Assistant District Attorney Laurie White, has called the case against her “retaliatory, meritless, and unconstitutional.” Murrill emphasized her commitment to enforcing the law and fighting corruption, stating, “I will not back down,” while the Republican Attorneys General Association labeled the indictment as “outrageous” and “dangerous.” This legal battle stems from Murrill's actions against a law that eliminated the Orleans Parish criminal court clerk position, previously held by Calvin Duncan, who endured nearly three decades in prison due to a wrongful conviction.
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(UPDATED July 3, 2026 08:01 UTC)
Liz Murrill has been indicted on 16 felony counts, including eight counts of intimidation and eight counts of malfeasance, after allegedly threatening local officials, including New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno and District Attorney Jason Williams. Following weeks of grand jury deliberation, a warrant for her arrest was issued, and her bond has been set at $25,000 for each count, totaling $400,000. The assistant district attorney handling the case, Laurie White, indicated that she expects the proceedings to be “very simple” and “very open and shut.”
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(UPDATED July 3, 2026 01:32 UTC)
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill has been indicted on 16 felony counts, including eight counts of intimidation and eight counts of malfeasance, following a grand jury's deliberation that led to a warrant for her arrest. Murrill's bond has been set at a total of $400,000, and the indictment arises from accusations that she threatened local public officials who opposed a Republican-led overhaul of the local courts. The grand jury's investigation was prompted by letters Murrill sent to New Orleans officials, warning them of potential job losses and consequences for supporting an unauthorized officeholder.