New Orleans Courtroom Closure Leads to Handcuffed Journalists and Dismissed Indictment

In early July, deputies at the New Orleans criminal district courthouse temporarily detained WWL Louisiana investigative producer Danny Monteverde and outlet lawyer Elana Beiser after they protested Judge Leon Roche’s decision to empty and close the courtroom where an indictment against Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill was to be returned. The pair were handcuffed outside the public building on 2 July. The following day, WWL issued a statement asserting that no journalist should be detained for seeking transparency about courtroom access.

The Guardian

The indictment stemmed from a grand jury returning charges of intimidation and malfeasance against Murrill after months of partisan conflict. Louisiana Republicans had pushed a law eliminating a long-held court clerk position held by Calvin Duncan, while New Orleans Democrats opposed the change. Murrill had warned city officials that their offices could be removed under state “usurper” statutes, prompting the grand jury’s action. Louisiana law requires grand jury returns to occur in open court, prompting Monteverde and Beiser’s objection to the courtroom closure.

The Guardian

Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press attorney Virginia Hamrick sent a letter on 5 August to Chief Judge Roche, arguing there were “no findings justifying closure” and urging the court to hear press objections before sealing proceedings.

The Guardian

Judge Roche later stated in court filings that he never instructed deputies to detain media members. The sheriff’s office, responsible for courthouse security, said its deputies acted according to the directives they received to protect grand jurors.

The Guardian

Louisiana’s state supreme court promptly put the indictment on hold, finding procedural flaws. A special prosecutor dismissed the case on 22 July, a day after New Orleans District Attorney Jason Williams, Mayor Helena Moreno, and five city council members urged dismissal. Murrill responded that the prosecution was “malicious” and not a crime.

The Guardian

• “The people of New Orleans are not served by this prosecution, which continues to alienate the city from the rest of the state and distract from the important work we have ahead.” — Jason Williams, orleans district attorney

The Guardian

• 2 July – Judge Roche closes courtroom; Monteverde and Beiser are handcuffed.

The Guardian

• 3 July – WWL issues statement condemning the detention.

The Guardian

• 22 July – Special prosecutor dismisses indictment against Murrill.

The Guardian

• 5 August – RCFP attorney Hamrick letters the court demanding proper hearing of press objections.

The Guardian