New Orleans officials urge special prosecutor to drop case
The indictment, issued by an Orleans Parish grand jury on July 2, accused Murrill of threatening the jobs of eight New Orleans officials who opposed a Republican-led overhaul of courts in the heavily Democratic city. The restructuring, pushed by the GOP-controlled legislature, targeted the Orleans Parish criminal clerk post.
The Louisiana Supreme Court put the case on hold almost immediately after the indictment, ruling that the local court and White had not followed proper procedures. The stay remained in effect until White moved to dismiss the charges Wednesday.
Williams, Moreno and five members of the New Orleans City Council sent a letter to White on Tuesday asking her to end the prosecution. The letter was sent less than three weeks after the grand jury returned the indictment.
Murrill posted a statement on social media following the dismissal. “This case should have NEVER been started because there was NO crime,” she said. She added that the outcome “will not deter my efforts to get to the bottom of this” and that “the irresponsible and illegal actions that led to this abuse of the criminal justice system need to never happen again.” Murrill did not specify what further steps she intends to take.