News Summary
The Louisiana Supreme Court has ruled that Attorney General Liz Murrill can represent the state in capital post-conviction cases at local district attorneys’ request. This decision impacts high-profile cases like Antoinette Frank’s, a convicted officer in a notorious triple murder from 1995. With executions set to resume after a long hiatus, Murrill aims to expedite legal procedures for inmates on death row. Critics argue many inmates are ineligible for execution due to pending legal challenges, raising questions about the state’s approach to capital punishment.
New Orleans – The Louisiana Supreme Court has ruled that Attorney General Liz Murrill can represent the state in capital post-conviction cases at the request of local district attorneys. This important decision is particularly significant in the case of Antoinette Frank, a former police officer who was convicted of a notorious triple murder nearly 30 years ago.
The Supreme Court’s ruling overturned a May decision by Orleans Parish Criminal District Judge Kimya Holmes, who had denied Murrill’s office the ability to represent the state in Frank’s post-conviction case. This ruling comes as Murrill has been actively involved in several death row inmate cases since the state resumed executions after a 15-year hiatus. Louisiana recently added nitrogen gas and electrocution as options for carrying out executions, with the first execution by nitrogen gas occurring in March 2024 when Jessie Hoffman was put to death.
Since Hoffman’s execution, no further executions have taken place. Murrill is now pushing to accelerate legal procedures for the 56 inmates currently on death row. She argues that many of these prisoners have effectively abandoned their post-conviction claims by allowing their cases to stagnate. On the other hand, critics point out that none of the death row inmates are currently eligible for execution due to pending state post-conviction or federal habeas corpus processes.
Local district attorney Jason Williams has invited Murrill’s office to assist in the case of Frank, emphasizing shared issues across various cases. Earlier, Judge Holmes concluded that Murrill’s involvement was not constitutionally permissible, as the Attorney General could not adopt the role of the District Attorney. However, the Louisiana Supreme Court determined that post-conviction proceedings resemble civil proceedings more closely, validating Murrill’s participation.
In a dissenting opinion, Chief Justice John Weimer and Justice John Michael Guidry argued that Murrill’s office had filed the appeal too late, prompting a debate on procedural timeliness in the legal system.
Antoinette Frank was convicted in 1995 for the murders of fellow officer Ronald Williams II, as well as 17-year-old Cuong Vu and 24-year-old Ha Vu, at the Kim Ahn Noodle House in New Orleans. Frank maintains that a history of abuse influenced her and led her to be manipulated by her co-defendant, Rogers Lacaze, who has since been removed from death row.
In 2009, Frank’s attorneys filed a petition alleging prosecutorial misconduct and inadequate defense counsel. However, there was no response from the state during a lengthy period of inactivity until last year. Murrill has condemned attempts by Frank’s legal team to delay proceedings, asserting that the Supreme Court’s ruling dismissed what she termed “frivolous claims.”
An evidentiary hearing regarding Frank’s post-conviction claims is slated for December 16, 2024. This upcoming hearing will provide an opportunity for further examination of the claims brought forth by her legal representatives and may set the stage for subsequent appeals or procedural developments in capital punishment cases in Louisiana.
Overall, the Louisiana Supreme Court’s decision to authorize the Attorney General’s involvement could potentially reshape the landscape for capital post-conviction cases, emphasizing the state’s commitment to addressing the complexities surrounding death row inmate appeals.
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Author: STAFF HERE NEWORLEANS WRITER
NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER The NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewOrleans.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as French Quarter Festival, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and Essence Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce and Greater New Orleans, Inc., plus leading businesses in energy, healthcare, and education that power the local economy such as Entergy, Ochsner Health, and Tulane University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREShreveport.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.
