Perjury, jury tampering, public intimidation, and malfeasance are all possible charges investigators say could come from a state probe into the grand jury indictment of Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill.
Our partners at NOLA.com report that is what was listed in an August 12 request from Louisiana State Police to the state supreme court to appoint a special prosecutor. The supreme court appointed Washington/St. Tammany Parish District Attorney Collin Sims as special counsel to handle the case.
Gov. Jeff Landry ordered state police to carry out the investigation shortly after the charges against Murrill were announced in July.
A special grand jury in New Orleans issued the indictment on July 2, charging Murrill with 16 felony counts including public intimidation and malfeasance. The indictment came after Murrill said New Orleans officials could face removal from office for appointing an interim court clerk when the position of Clerk of Orleans Criminal Court was eliminated via a new state law.
Murrill said the actions of the mayor, city council, and Orleans D.A. Jason Williams unlawfully usurped the state legislature's authority.
The indictment of Murrill was dropped after New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno, the five city council members who voted the interim appointment, and Williams asked retired Criminal Court Judge Laurie White, the special prosecutor for that investigation, to dismiss the charges.
