Subpoenas go after NO district attorney's records

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill’s attorneys have moved to subpoena records from Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams and special prosecutor Laurie White, according to court filings.
Two motions filed Monday seek subpoenas duces tecum, which would require Williams and White to produce documents or other evidence specified by Murrill’s legal team.
The requests seek a broad range of records, including emails, text messages, phone records, draft indictments, internal communications and correspondence related to Murrill’s July 2 indictment.
They also seek communications involving Judge Leon Roche, Mayor Helena Moreno, Councilman JP Morrell, former U.S. Rep. Cedric Richmond, Times-Picayune reporter John Simerman and state Sen. Gary Carter, as well as records concerning White’s appointment as special prosecutor, the district attorney’s recusal, grand jury proceedings and the closure of the courtroom.
Franz Borghardt, a criminal defense attorney, said he expects the requests to face a challenge based on the legal protection afforded to prosecutors’ internal work.
“I would imagine that there will be a motion to quash based on what we call work product,” Borghardt said. “If the special prosecutor’s office is indicating in any emails about the prosecution, that would be subject to what is called work product.”
Borghardt characterized the request as overly broad.
“I think it’s a fishing expedition,” he said. “I don’t think that she’s entitled to that. I think it will be challenged.”
The judge has not yet ruled on the requests, and the docket does not indicate whether either subpoena has been issued or served.
The filings suggest Murrill’s defense is seeking evidence related to the origins and handling of the prosecution, including White’s appointment as special prosecutor and Williams’ role in the case.