Louisiana Supreme Court Appointed Special Prosecutor
The court named Collin Sims to lead an investigation into a past grand jury indictment of the state's attorney general.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Criminal Justice
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On August 17, 2026, the Louisiana Supreme Court appointed St. Tammany and Washington Parish District Attorney Collin Sims to investigate the circumstances surrounding a July 2, 2026, grand jury indictment of Attorney General Liz Murrill. The court also appointed retired judge Robert Chaisson to oversee the investigation results.
Why it matters
The appointment aims to resolve questions regarding the legitimacy of an Orleans Parish grand jury indictment that was previously dropped by another special prosecutor. It marks a significant intervention by the state's highest court into criminal proceedings involving a high-ranking official.
A grand jury previously filed 16 felony charges against Liz Murrill, including counts of malfeasance in office and public intimidation. The new special prosecutor now has authority to empanel a new grand jury or pursue fresh criminal charges.
The players
Liz Murrill
She is the Attorney General of Louisiana who faced a grand jury indictment.
Collin Sims
He is the district attorney for St. Tammany and Washington parishes who was appointed as special prosecutor.
Robert Chaisson
He is a retired judge appointed by the Louisiana Supreme Court to exercise judicial authority over the investigation.
Jason Williams
He is the District Attorney for Orleans Parish whose office recused itself from the case.
Laurie White
She served as the previous special prosecutor who dropped the initial indictment against the attorney general.
The details
The investigation stems from letters Attorney General Liz Murrill sent in May 2026 to District Attorney Jason Williams, Helena Moreno, and various city council members. Following the recusal of District Attorney Williams' office on June 1, 2026, an initial indictment was later dismissed by special prosecutor Laurie White.
Timeline
May 2026: Murrill sent letters to city officials.
June 1, 2026: District Attorney Jason Williams' office recused itself.
July 2, 2026: A grand jury indicted Liz Murrill on 16 felony charges.
August 17, 2026: The Louisiana Supreme Court appointed Collin Sims as special prosecutor.
Legal Context
The appointment follows the established pattern for when local offices recuse themselves from cases involving high-ranking officials. This action by the Louisiana Supreme Court underscores the state's reliance on outside counsel to handle sensitive conflicts of interest.
This appointment ensures that the investigation into the state's top legal officer proceeds under independent supervision. Residents can expect continued oversight as the special prosecutor reviews the validity of the previous grand jury's actions.
The takeaway
The court's intervention highlights the critical role of independent oversight when legal disputes arise between high-ranking public officials. Maintaining the integrity of the grand jury process remains a primary focus as the investigation continues.
Further reading
Learn more about the state's legal proceedings in the Criminal Justice section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NOLA.
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