One legal analyst says the 16-count indictment against Attorney General Liz Murrill is going nowhere. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino who says the best evidence to support his legal opinion is that the Louisiana State Supreme Court issued a stay in the indictment less than 24 hours an Orleans Parish Grand Jury accused the AG of malfeasance and intimidation.
“The Supreme Court in not so subtle language made it very clear that she is likely to prevail on getting this indictment quashed and the matter is going to be over” Murrill said.
The stay puts the case on hold, but Ciolino says the state supreme court is allowing Murrill’s to file motions to quash the indictment. Ciolino says it’s possible a lower court will rule in the Attorney General’s favor, because the grand jury violated several laws in the handling of this case.
“It’s supposed to be secret, there were numerous leaks, the indictment was supposed to be returned in open court, it was returned behind closed doors,” Murrill said.
The indictment stems from letters that Murrill sent to New Orleans elected officials in May where she threatened, they could be removed from office if they didn’t stop interfering with a new state law that combined the city’s criminal and district clears of courts.
Ciolino says most legal observers would agree, Murrill’s letters did not violate state law.
“The Supreme Court is eventually, if the district court doesn’t do it, is going to shut this whole prosecution against Liz Murrill downs and then everybody just needs to cool off and let this pass,” Ciolino said.
Murrill calls the indictment a political witch hunt.
State Supreme Court Justice John Guidry was the lone justice to dissent to the ruling to stay the indictment. Judge Guidry said Murrill is receiving preferential treatment and this matter should be allowed to be vetted through the normal legal process.
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