"It's not over." Murrill, Landry seek to launch federal investigation into New Orleans leadership

"I got a lot of legislators wanting to go back into session," Governor Jeff Landry said at a joint press conference Wednesday alongside Attorney General Liz Murrill. "They want to look at ways they can take more control over the court system in New Orleans."

Both the Louisiana Governor and AG expressed, in thunderous detail, their desire to investigate the proceedings that led to a 16-count indictment of Murrill for public intimidation and malfeasance. All charges were dropped Wednesday morning by special prosecutor Laurie White following a series of letters from Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams, New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno, and members of the New Orleans City Council urging White to end the legal proceeding.

Murrill and Landry now say that, even though charges are dismissed, measures must be taken to ensure the same "malicious prosecution" doesn't happen again.

"It won't just happen to me. What they've done is open the door to something that can happen to anybody. And that's why it's not over," Murrill expressed, declaring that she does not view New Orleans leadership's push to toss the case as an olive branch she plans to reach out and take.

"You can't be friendly with someone who wants to put you in jail for 80 years," Murrill stated. "Friendship is not really on the table."

"I think this was a malicious prosecution," Murrill continued. "What I did was not a crime. It was never a crime."

Now, the state considers a multi-pronged approach to address what they see as a serious legal issue: On one hand, a potential federal investigation; on the other, a legislative push for Louisiana to gain more control over New Orleans court proceedings.

"The law that was used to start this whole thing - no one in history can ever remember it being used before. I have concerns about that law, and I intend to take that up later with the legislature," Murrill said in relation to the instigation of the grand jury that resulted in 16-felony counts, a $400,000 bond, and up to 80 years in jail.

"How many of you people actually believe that a grand jury of citizens in New Orleans just decided that a letter sent by the attorney general to the city council was a criminal act? How many of ya'll believe that? Those are the questions that need to be answered," Landry said.

When asked if it's her will to see a federal investigation launched into the city of New Orleans, Murrill replied, "Yes."

Attorney General will be on WWL AM/FM Thursday Morning at 11:10 am (CST) with Newell Normand. Listen at 105.3 FM / 870 AM or stream on the free Audacy app.