The Louisiana Supreme Court is giving the criminal probe into Attorney General Liz Murrill’s indictment and grand jury proceedings priority in an ongoing public records fight.
The Louisiana Supreme Court denied three separate writs tied to the civil case Murrill is pursuing against certain New Orleans leaders, including Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams and Special Prosecutor Laurie White.
Murrill’s civil attorneys, Blake Acuri and Laura Cannizzaro Rodrigue, have been pursuing records tied to the proceedings for weeks.
According to the Louisiana Supreme Court opinions, the court denied intervening in the fight for the records for the civil case due to the active criminal investigation underway.
According to the opinion, the criminal investigation comes first, and the civil case should not impede it.
The court’s opinion also stated that only Special Prosecutor Collin Sims can invoke the criminal investigation exemption tied to the Public Records Act.
White lost her ability to block records based on investigative grounds because she is no longer the special prosecutor in the case, according to the court’s opinion.
The court’s decision states that only Sims can protect records as part of an investigation.
Last week, Sims told WDSU that his investigation into the grand jury proceedings and indictment of Murrill was in the beginning stages.
Sims also told WDSU that as a professional courtesy, he sent letters to those involved that he would possibly be reaching out as part of the investigation.
Below is a review of Murrill’s indictment, her civil lawsuit, and the fallout between state and New Orleans leaders.
Murrill’s legal team accused city of blocking records:
Attorneys representing Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill in her civil lawsuit against New Orleans city officials connected to her now-dropped indictment claim that the city is now illegally blocking public records requests tied to the case.
Murrill’s legal team filed a public records request Monday for communications related to her now-tossed indictment this summer by a New Orleans grand jury.
In a statement to WDSU, Murrill’s attorney, Laura Cannizzaro Rodrigue, says, “We received text messages that indicate that members of the City Council who were listed as victims in the indictment, as well as the mayor, testified before the grand jury. If that is true, then we believe that there are public records that are relevant that should be produced at this time.”
City Attorney Charline Gipson issued a statement in response to the interview:
“It appears that former assistant district attorney, Laura Rodrigue, is attempting to discover the identities of witnesses ordered to testify before a grand jury along with the substance of grand jury testimony in clear violation of the Louisiana Constitution and Louisiana law. If Ms. Rodrigue believes she has a legitimate legal basis to pierce grand jury secrecy, she should be filing her request with a court instead of harassing City officials. The City has moved on. If Ms. Rodrigue is not interested in protecting the integrity of grand jury investigations or deliberations, we are prepared to address these issues in court.”
The request was issued through a letter to New Orleans City Attorney Charline Gipson and was seeking communications from Mayor Helena Moreno, J.P. Morrell, Matthew Williard, Jason Hughes, Aimee McCarron and Freddie King.
The request asked for any communications from June 1 through July 21 with Laurie White, who was the special prosecutor assigned to the case.
That request also included any communications involving Moreno and the council members arranging travel to the grand jury proceedings involving Murrill’s indictment, as well as parking and building access to the Orleans Parish Criminal District Court or Grand Jury.
The public records request from Murrill’s team can be viewed here.
Murrill’s legal team said the city Law Department responded asking that the public records request be narrowed, a move Murrill’s legal team says is illegal.
The Law Department’s request read:
“Please provide no more than five employee names, a timeframe of no more than two weeks, and no more than five search terms. Please be advised that you may be asked to further narrow your search.”
Murrill’s legal team responded to Gipson, telling her that the response was now lawful, and asked the city’s law department to respond within the legal deadline and begin the search for their request.
Murrill’s legal team said a response had not been received by Gipson at this time.
Gipson issued the following statement to WDSU regarding the request:
“It is disingenuous to say that the City rejected any public records request. That is not the case. An acknowledgment requesting narrower search parameters was issued, as is routine when requests are not sufficiently limited in scope. This helps ensure requests can be processed timely while allowing departments to fulfill their other legal and operational responsibilities.
“The City processes a significant volume of public records requests, including requests for communications that can require review of hundreds or thousands of individual records and attachments for applicable exemptions and redactions. The City continues to process today’s request in accordance with Louisiana’s Public Records Law to the extent that it applies.”
Mayor, council members subpoenaed by Murrill’s legal counsel:
New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno, five city council members and District Attorney Jason Williams were each issued subpoenas to testify in court.
An attorney for Murrill confirms to WDSU that she sought the subpoenas as part of a public records lawsuit filed last month against special prosecutor Laurie White.
Murrill’s attorney Laura Cannizzaro Rodrigue told us, “Elected officials in New Orleans publicly claimed they had absolutely no involvement with this matter. Now records we have obtained are proving otherwise. We are going to see this through.”
An Orleans Parish grand jury indicted Murrill on 16 counts of public intimidation and malfeasance in office over letters she sent to Moreno, Williams and five council members.
The Louisiana Supreme Court stayed the prosecution, and White dismissed the criminal case against Murrill on July 22.
Murrill’s indictment came after a public dispute played out related to the legislature’s controversial move this year to unify two court clerks’ offices in Orleans Parish.
City Attorney Charline Gipson issued the following statement on behalf of Mayor Moreno and the City Council:
“This is a civil case in which Blake Arcuri is suing the special prosecutor over her public records response. Neither the mayor nor any member of the council is party to this matter, and yet the City is being drawn in through subpoenas that were never issued by a judge. The City has moved on. The City Attorney’s Office will respond to this harassment in court.”
District Attorney Jason Williams’ office issued the following statement:
“The DA is in his second week of back-to-back homicide trials, doing the work of the DA’s Office for the people of Orleans Parish and of the State of Louisiana.
“He has not had time to review any of the subpoenas that the plaintiffs attempted to serve yesterday. Finally, as this matter is in active litigation, the DA’s office has no further comment.”
Bombshell allegations:
This comes just weeks after Murrill and Gov. Jeff Landry made significant allegations against New Orleans officials after the dismissal of a criminal indictment against Murrill.
Both Landry and Murrill called the indictment politically motivated and warned that actions taken during the grand jury proceedings could have broader consequences for the justice system.
VIDEO: Murrill, Landry call for federal investigation into indictment:
Murrill said the ordeal had been difficult on her family and thanked her husband for his support. She argued that a group in New Orleans “weaponized the grand jury system” to indict a sitting attorney general for conduct that “isn’t a crime,” maintaining that the letters at the center of the case were routine and lawful.
She said she had warned city leaders they were breaking the law by appointing an interim clerk and that “there are consequences for breaking the law.”
Murrill insisted her letters were never criminal and said the case set a dangerous precedent.
“It’s not over,” Murrill said, arguing that the use of the grand jury process against her could be repeated against others.
VIDEO: Murrill says indictment against her was “not a joke” vows to investigate;
While she said friendship with those involved is “not on the table,” she added that professional working relationships with city officials would continue and that her office would keep holding them accountable when they break the law.
Murrill also called the arrests of reporters “disturbing” and raised concerns about alleged conflicts of interest involving Special Prosecutor Laurie White.
VIDEO: Murrill’s full statement after the indictment against her was dropped
She said the law used to initiate the grand jury indictment had never been used before and pledged to work with lawmakers to change it, saying “rogue grand jury members” should not be able to bring indictments.
Murrill also said she had been given a $400,000 bond, specifically saying the judge had given lower bonds for accused murderers.
Murrill said she wants transparency and would like to see a federal investigation.
Murrill also questioned how the grand jury indictment came to be, saying she does not believe city leadership was uninvolved.
She specifically accused Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams of playing a role.
She also rejected the narrative that circulated after her indictment that Baton Rouge was “picking on New Orleans” and should leave New Orleans alone, saying state leaders will continue working with the city but will not stay silent when they believe laws are being broken.
Murrill described the indictment process as “the leakiest ship you’ve ever seen,” saying reporters appeared to know more about the proceedings than she did.
Landry then took over the podium, calling the alleged grand jury leak itself a crime and broadening his criticism to Orleans Parish judges, whom he accused of leniency in violent crime cases.
Landry also questioned why Mayor Helena Moreno’s shifting position on court consolidation had not drawn more scrutiny, noting her past support for consolidation in the Legislature and current opposition as mayor.
He argued that when city officials realized they could not sustain a case against Murrill, they painted themselves as victims and pushed to have the charges dropped.
Murrill said both Moreno and Williams had wrongly cited the law in public statements and media appearances by claiming her letters were criminal intimidation. She called those claims irresponsible.
Landry said he would consider a special legislative session, saying it is “not off the table,” as lawmakers seek to exert more control over New Orleans’ court system.
He again described New Orleans as “special,” reiterating that Orleans Parish was the only parish in the state that had separate civil and criminal courts.
He said lawmakers had tried to consolidate those systems for decades and argued that the city responded to recent changes by indicting its own attorney general.
Murrill said she is now trying to assess how much damage was done to the criminal justice system and plans to expand her request for public records.
She said multiple people have told her Williams was involved and vowed to find out what happened.
She also said she is considering civil litigation, calling the case “malicious prosecution.”
Landry declined to comment on any state police investigation into the grand jury but said both federal and state investigations are warranted.
He also said the Judiciary Commission and the state bar should examine the conduct of lawyers involved, specifically naming JP Morrell and Jason Williams, going as far as saying they should be disbarred.
Murrill said her legal fees have reached about $250,000, and Landry said New Orleans should reimburse her, adding that the cost will ultimately fall on taxpayers.
Murrill said this all stemmed from the city’s creation of what she called a “fictional office” during the week of a primary election, specifically citing the city council’s action of appointing interim clerk Calvin Johnson and calling for a special election after Calvin Duncan’s office was eliminated with the court consolidation law passed by state lawmakers.
She argued that the appointment of an interim clerk could have jeopardized ballots, voting machines and public confidence in the election.
Murrill said she urged city leaders not to appoint an interim clerk and to wait for the courts to review the law passed by the legislature.
According to Murrill, she personally called JP Morrell and Helena Moreno to warn them not to move forward with the interim clerk plan. She blamed Williams for starting the entire ordeal by sending the letter that led to the appointment of an interim clerk.
Murrill called this ironic, specifically because city leaders asked for the same when it came to her subpoenas in connection with the indictment.
Murrill outlined what she believed were possible crimes committed throughout not only the grand jury proceedings, but also the dispute surrounding the clerk position.
According to Murrill, possible crimes committed include interfering with a statewide election for federal office, conspiracy to violate civil rights laws, conspiracy to rig or interfere with a grand jury proceeding, obstruction of justice, wire fraud, injuring public records, malfeasance and public intimidation — the same charges she faced in her now-dropped indictment.
Murrill reiterated that she warned officials they may have violated the law, only to face what she called an “extortionist threat” to put her in jail for 80 years.
She also alleged city leaders dropped the charges not to restore normalcy but to avoid producing records after she issued subpoenas.
Murrill said more subpoenas are coming and suggested communications surrounding Williams’ letter to the city council and records tied to the grand jury proceedings could be expanded in her requests. Some records, she said, may require litigation to obtain.
Landry closed by saying the scales of justice are supposed to remain balanced, a principle he said he and Murrill share as they continue pressing for accountability.
Murrill issued the following statement after the news conference:
“Today, all charges against me were dismissed because what I did was never a crime.
“I want to thank my husband, my family, my legal team, my colleagues, law enforcement leaders, elected officials, and the countless people across Louisiana who stood with me throughout this entire ordeal.
“Sending those letters was a very ordinary thing. Lawyers do it. Attorneys General do it. Law enforcement officers do it. Advising someone what the law requires and explaining the legal consequences for violating it is not a crime. It’s exactly what the law requires me to do as Attorney General.
“This case was never just about me. What happened here set a dangerous precedent that could affect anyone. That is why this is not over. This is not about anger, retaliation, or “Baton Rouge versus New Orleans.” It is about ensuring our criminal justice system is never weaponized against anyone else.
“I was indicted, threatened with arrest, and given a $400,000 bond. I invite everyone to compare that bond to those routinely set in Orleans Parish by this same judge for people charged with second-degree murder. I can tell you the answer: it’s about $268,000.
“I will continue doing my job as your Attorney General without fear or intimidation, holding people accountable when they break the law and ensuring what happened here never happens again.”
“Governor Landry and I have spent more time, energy, and resources invested in New Orleans than any Governor or Attorney General has in decades. And we’re not leaving. We’re staying there.
“New Orleans is currently on pace to record its lowest annual homicide total since 1969.
“Over the past six months alone, my prosecutors have handled roughly one-quarter of the criminal docket in Orleans Criminal District Court every single day. We currently have more than 750 active cases from arrests made by Louisiana State Police’s Troop NOLA, and our prosecutors are in court every day fighting for justice for the people who live in and visit New Orleans.
“We will continue investing our time, our staff, and our resources in New Orleans and supporting the people of New Orleans. That does not mean we have to approve or support bad leadership or bad decision-making.”
WDSU has reached out to Moreno, Williams and White for statements regarding the allegations made by Landry and Murrill.
At the time of this publication, a response had not been received from Williams.
Moreno’s office declined to comment.
White issued the following statement about the charges being dropped:
“I performed my responsibilities as an appointed prosecutor in accordance with the law. It is important to understand that the grand jury brought this indictment, and that what followed was in accordance with their judgement. I respect the grand jury’s service and actions as we all should, and thank them for their service. Extraordinary interference in this situation has been truly unfortunate and we should all hope that it doesn’t set a precedent.
“Based on letters received from alleged victims in the case, as special prosecutor I have nolle prossed all 16 counts. Case dismissed.”
Charges dropped:
Special prosecutor Laurie White dropped the criminal case against LMurrill, ending a prosecution that began with a 16-count felony indictment in Orleans Parish.
White said she dismissed all 16 counts after receiving letters from the alleged victims in the case.
“Based on letters received from alleged victims in the case, as special prosecutor, I have nolle prossed all 16 counts,” White said. “Case dismissed.”
White defended how she handled the case and emphasized that a grand jury returned the indictment.
“I performed my responsibilities as an appointed prosecutor in accordance with the law,” White said. “It is important to understand that the grand jury brought this indictment, and that what followed was in accordance with their judgment. I respect the grand jury’s service and actions as we all should and thank them for their service.”
White also criticized what she described as interference in the case.
“Extraordinary interference in this situation has been truly unfortunate, and we should all hope that it doesn’t set a precedent,” White said.
The decision came after several New Orleans leaders asked White to dismiss the case.
The indictment accused Murrill of public intimidation and malfeasance in office. The allegations centered on letters she sent to Orleans Parish officials after a dispute over legislation involving the parish court system.
Murrill denied wrongdoing and questioned how authorities conducted the investigation and secured the indictment.
“This case should have NEVER been started because there was NO crime. This outcome will not deter my efforts to get to the bottom of this,” Murrill said in a statement. “The irresponsible and illegal actions that led to this abuse of the criminal justice system need to never happen again. I’ll have much more to say this afternoon.”
As her legal team challenged the case, Murrill’s attorneys sought communications and other records tied to the grand jury proceedings. A judge approved subpoenas directing White and Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams to produce records.
White later asked the court to quash the subpoena requiring her to turn over documents connected to the indictment. Murrill’s attorneys opposed the effort to withhold those records.
Every judge on the Orleans Parish Criminal District Court bench recused themselves from the case. The Louisiana Supreme Court then appointed a retired judge to oversee the proceedings.
The indictment stemmed from a letter Murrill sent after state lawmakers approved legislation involving the Orleans Parish court system.
READ MORE:Louisiana Supreme Court prioritizes criminal probe in Liz Murrill grand jury records fight
