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Special prosecutor drops all felony criminal charges against Louisiana Attorney General Murrill
City leaders said they were not intimidated and called the prosecution a distraction from public work.
Special Prosecutor Laurie White dismissed all 16 felony charges against Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill on Wednesday, ending the controversial prosecution following requests from New Orleans city leaders.
Allegations that Murrill illegally threatened elected officials, including District Attorney Jason Williams, sparked the 16-count indictment following legislative changes that abolished the Orleans Parish clerk's office.
Writing to White on Tuesday, Mayor Helena Moreno and other city council members argued the public interest is "better served by moving forward rather than by prolonging litigation," noting the Louisiana Supreme Court expressed significant concerns regarding the case's viability.
Murrill announced the dismissal Wednesday morning, asserting "this case should have NEVER been started because there was NO crime," and vowed to continue investigating the "abuse of the criminal justice system."
Ongoing political friction defines the relationship between New Orleans Democratic leadership and the Republican administration of Gov. Jeff Landry, as the case underscored divisions over state authority in Orleans Parish.