Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry has taken legal action against Governor John Bel Edwards, accusing him of disregarding the regulations set by the Board of Pardons. In a lawsuit filed on September 20th, Landry argued that the Governor's actions did not adhere to the proper eligibility and notice rules, timeliness requirements, and necessary steps of the process. The lawsuit specifically targeted the scheduling of Clemency hearings for 20 violent offenders who had previously been convicted and sentenced to the death penalty. These hearings were set to take place in October and November of 2023, allowing Governor Edwards to make decisions on these cases before his term ended in January of 2024.
According to Landry, the expediency displayed by the Governor in scheduling these hearings was a blatant disregard for the law. He expressed concerns about sacrificing the rule of law, the rights of victims, and public participation in order to achieve political objectives. Landry emphasized the importance of enforcing the laws and following proper procedures, stating that the court must ensure a legal and transparent clemency process. He also emphasized the need for truth, transparency, and justice for the victims of individuals such as Willie Tart and Larry Roy, who were convicted murderers.
Jeff Landry, who became the state's attorney general in 2016, has a diverse background that includes working as a local police officer, a sheriff's deputy, and serving in the military. He is a veteran of Desert Storm and has also worked in the oil and gas industry. Prior to becoming attorney general, Landry served as the Executive Director of the St. Martin Parish Economic Development Authority and was elected to the US House of Representatives in 2010. He is now fighting to ensure that the clemency process in Louisiana proceeds in a legal and transparent manner, prioritizing the rights of victims and the adherence to proper procedures.