Liz Murrill indicted on 16 felony counts

Key Points:

• Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill has been indicted by an Orleans Parish grand jury on 16 felony counts, including eight counts of public intimidation and eight counts of malfeasance in office, related to a letter she sent warning Orleans Parish officials about the consequences of appointing a competing clerk of court.
• The indictment follows a bill passed by the state legislature merging Orleans Parish criminal and civil courts, which led to the ousting of Judge Calvin Duncan and a dispute over the appointment of an interim clerk, with Murrill asserting that no vacancy was created by the law.
• The grand jury found probable cause to proceed with the charges after reviewing evidence from special prosecutor Laurie White, and a total bond of $400,000 was set for Murrill.
• Governor Jeff Landry condemned the indictment as politically motivated, promising to pardon Murrill as soon as legally possible, while Murrill maintains she was unaware of the investigation until media reports and denies wrongdoing.
• New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno responded to Murrill's letter by calling it a threat and vowed not to be intimidated, urging the legal process to resolve the dispute.