After state AG's indictment for alleged intimidation, malfeasance, Louisiana Supreme Court steps in
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill speaks to the press in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on May 16, 2026. (Photo by Kathleen Flynn/Getty Images)
A grand jury in Orleans Parish, Louisiana, has indicted Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill on 16 felony counts that allege intimidation and malfeasance in office.
After the indictment Thursday, Orleans Criminal District Court Judge Leon Roche issued an alias capias warrant for Murrill’s arrest and set her bond at $400,000, NOLA.com reports. In separate orders Thursday and Friday, the Louisiana Supreme Court stayed the indictment and recalled the arrest warrant.
“This court’s July 3, 2026, stay obviously prevents the state from pursuing the attorney general’s arrest or any other step in the prosecution,” the state supreme court reportedly wrote in its second emergency ruling.
According to NOLA.com, Murrill had alleged that former New Orleans Judge Laurie White, who is the special prosecutor appointed to her case, refused to recall the arrest warrant despite the high court’s stay order.
Murrill’s indictment comes amid clashes between the Republican state attorney general and Democratic officials in New Orleans, NOLA.com reports. White announced after the indictment that the grand jury “chose to investigate” the state attorney general at the end of its six-month term. It considered evidence related to whether Murrill intimidated New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno, Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams and other local political officials.
In one specific incident, Murrill allegedly sent letters warning local officials that they were putting their jobs at risk in a dispute over the city’s criminal court clerk position, NOLA.com reports.
Last fall, voters in New Orleans elected Calvin Duncan, who had been freed from prison after a judge found him innocent of murder. Before he could take office, the Republican-led legislature passed a law that combined the civil and criminal clerk roles, effectively eliminating his position.
Moreno and Williams reportedly argued that there should be another election, and five city council members agreed, NOLA.com reports.
A law that forbids “public intimidation, retaliation, retribution by the use of force and threat” is the basis for eight counts in Murrill’s indictment, according to NOLA.com. The grand jury also found that she “intentionally refused or failed to perform any duty lawfully required of her,” which led to the eight malfeasance counts.
The Louisiana Supreme Court said Friday the prosecution can respond to Murrill’s defensive pleadings in district court, while the indictment stay order is in place, NOLA.com reports.
The Associated Press has additional coverage.
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