Louisiana Supreme Court selects District Attorney Collin Sims to examine dismissed indictment against Attorney General Liz Murrill

The Louisiana Supreme Court has appointed St. Tammany and Washington Parish District Attorney Collin Sims to examine the decision to seek an indictment against Attorney General Liz Murrill.

Arrest and charges

Sims will determine whether the process used to pursue the indictment was proper and whether any criminal or ethical violations occurred.

“The special prosecutor is going to provide some guidance to the investigators as to what could potentially be state violations,” Goyeneche explained.

Murrill has accused the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office of using the grand jury as political retaliation for her efforts to address corruption in New Orleans.

Charges and court proceedings

An Orleans Parish grand jury indicted Murrill in early July on malfeasance and public intimidation charges, but the charges were later dismissed.

New Orleans Metro Crime Commission President Rafael Goyeneche says the investigation is unusual.

“And if there is an investigation in a particular parish that requires the assistance of a prosecutor, the local DA will do it; but he’s conflicted from this issue,” Goyeneche noted.

Goyeneche says State Police is already investigating, and having a prosecutor involved could help determine whether the grand jury was used appropriately.