Portrait of a woman in a red blazer with a white blouse, smiling against a backdrop of flags, representing leadership and professionalism.

Portrait of a woman in a red blazer with a white blouse, smiling against a backdrop of flags, representing leadership and professionalism.
AG Liz Murrill (Credit: National Association of Attorneys General)

The Louisiana Supreme Court on Friday temporarily halted criminal proceedings against Attorney General Liz Murrill, just one day after a New Orleans grand jury returned a politically motivated 16-count felony indictment accusing the Republican attorney general of intimidation and malfeasance.

The high court didn’t mince words. It cited the AG’s “compelling argument concerning the disturbing defects in the grand jury proceedings and in the trial court’s handling of those proceedings.”

The justices noted there is “considerable support” that Murrill is “likely to succeed on the merits” of a motion to quash this indictment due to “apparent procedural irregularities.”

The justices wrote in part:

Like the United States Supreme Court, in evaluating a stay, we often consider: (1) whether the applicant has made a strong showing that he or she is likely to succeed on the merits of their appeal; (2) whether the applicant will be irreparably injured absent a stay; (3) whether the issuance of the stay will substantially injure the other parties interested in the proceeding; and, (4) where the public interest lies. Nken v. Holder, 556 U.S. 418 (2009).

In this case the Attorney General makes a compelling argument concerning the disturbing defects in the grand jury proceedings and in the trial court’s handling of those proceedings. This indictment appears to turn the law on its head and flows from what appear to be extraordinary procedural defects and improprieties.

By all public accounts the Orleans Parish Criminal District Court violated express provisions of state law requiring that grand jury returns occur in the public eye, “in open court.” La. C.Cr.P. art. 383. Numerous media outlets have stated that reporters were handcuffed and removed from these otherwise public proceedings.

This dispute arises from the Attorney General’s defense of a recent duly enacted state law that abolished the office of Orleans Parish Criminal District Clerk of Court. Act 15 of the 2026 Regular Session was part of a package of bills directed at bringing the number of Orleans Parish judicial offices more in line with the other parishes of Louisiana. See e.g. Acts 746 and 748 of the 2026 Regular Session. This Court already held that Act 15 was a constitutional exercise of the legislature’s authority. Crockett v. State of Louisiana c/w Napoleon v. City of New Orleans, 2026-CD-00594 (La. 6/1/26), — So.3d —. The seat abolished would otherwise have been held by Mr. Calvin Duncan.

Laurie White, the special prosecutor appointed in the instant matter, was previously Mr. Duncan’s attorney. Ms. White is also currently being defended by Attorney General Murrill’s office in a sexual harassment suit against Ms. White. The likely conflicts of interest precluding her involvement in this matter, if accurately stated, should have been obvious.

The Attorney General raises significant constitutional and legal issues with the potential application of La. R.S. 14:122 to this situation. She argues that she was merely performing her constitutional duty to defend the state’s law and that her legal interpretation of that law was correct. She also contends that this particular criminal statute requires violence, force, extortionate threats, or true threats as defined by La. C.Cr.P. art. 14:122, which requires that those threats be unlawful or include a threat of bodily harm or death.

While the record before this Court is undeveloped, there is considerable support for the view that the Attorney General is likely to succeed on the merits of a motion to quash this indictment on either a legal basis or due to apparent procedural irregularities. She obviously also suffers irreparable harm by allowing this matter to proceed without these important issues being addressed.

The order allows Murrill to pursue legal challenges, including motions to dismiss the indictment and requests seeking the recusal of both the special prosecutor and the presiding judge.

Murrill, who has called the indictment “retaliatory, meritless, and unconstitutional,” welcomed the court’s decision and vowed to continue defending herself through the legal process.

She has argued that procedural irregularities, including alleged conflicts involving Special Prosecutor Laurie White and concerns surrounding the secrecy of the grand jury proceedings, undermine the legitimacy of the case.

Murrill wrote on X:

“I’m grateful to the Louisiana Supreme Court for swiftly issuing a stay in this matter. The constitution and laws of Louisiana impose a wide swath of duties on the Attorney General. I will continue to carry out those duties to the best of my ability.

This matter is not over. I will still need to file the necessary motions to seek a dismissal, which will be forthcoming. I want to thank the many friends and supporters who have expressed their support and encouragement.

I hope this political witch hunt is not a harbinger of things to come, but I fear that it is. Neither the grand jury investigation law nor the public intimidation law was intended to be used as a political weapon by a rogue, biased, vindictive special prosecutor, judge, and grand jury.

I hope the legislature in the future will ensure this cannot happen again. I hope everyone enjoys a safe and happy 4th of July. Happy birthday, America. Land of the Free and Home of the Brave!”

As The Gateway Pundit reported earlier today, a Democrat-controlled Orleans Parish grand jury, operating in secret with illegal leaks to the press, a closed courtroom in violation of Louisiana law, and a special prosecutor with blatant conflicts of interest, indicted AG Murrill on eight counts of malfeasance in office and eight counts of public intimidation and retaliation.

An arrest warrant was issued almost immediately. Bond was set at a staggering $400,000.

Read more:

New Orleans Kangaroo Court Issues ARREST WARRANT for Louisiana AG Liz Murrill After Grand Jury Indicts Her on 16 Felony Counts for Defending State Law Against Rogue Local Officials

The post UPDATE: Louisiana Supreme Court Temporarily Blocks Politically Motivated Indictment Against AG Liz Murrill appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.