The New Orleans District Attorney’s Office announced Friday that they plan to waive retrial objections for 22 state inmates convicted by a split jury.
As The Times-Picayune | New Orleans Advocate reports, the new trials apply to those inmates convicted between 1914 and 1974.
Back in April of last year, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled convictions under a split-jury verdict were unconstitutional.
Louisiana and Oregon were the only states still allowing criminal convictions with a 10 out of 12 juror verdict rather than a 12 juror unanimous verdict.
The 22 people were convicted of crimes including murder, rape, and robbery. However, the Supreme Court’s decision does not apply to those who have exhausted all of their appeals.
Most of the defendants agreed to plead guilty to lesser charges while others could see a new trial.
Speaking at a court hearing, DA’s Civil Rights Director, Emily Maw called the move, “A slow process to restore the confidence of all the citizens of New Orleans that our courts are applying equal justice.”
Maw also said "plenty of notice and opportunity” for crime victims to have their voices heard at the new trials.
This comes as Orleans District Attorney Jason Williams fulfills his campaign promise to reform the parish criminal justice system.
