Louisiana Republicans seek to eliminate court office of exonerated man

Calvin Duncan, who served 28 years for a wrongful conviction, won the election for Orleans parish clerk of criminal court with 68% of the vote last November. However, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry and the Republican-controlled state legislature are moving to eliminate his position before he can be sworn in on May 4. Duncan's election was seen as a chance to reform a judicial system that failed him, as he pledged to improve access to court records based on his own experiences in prison.

On Wednesday, Louisiana state senate Republicans voted to scrap Duncan's position, claiming it is part of a broader initiative to streamline the judiciary in New Orleans, a predominantly Democratic and Black area. Duncan believes this move is retaliation from officials who have long denied his innocence, despite his name being listed on the National Registry of Exonerations. He stated, "What this bill does, it says, ‘Thank you but you wasted your time.’ It disenfranchises everybody."

Republicans argue that the elimination of Duncan's office is not personal but rather a step toward government efficiency. Landry defended the initiative, stating it aims to clean up a system plagued by dysfunction and corruption. The bill's author, state senator Jay Morris, acknowledged that the civil court clerk might struggle with the influx of cases if Duncan's position is eliminated but suggested hiring additional staff as a solution.

Duncan's case has drawn significant attention, especially since he was pivotal in a 2020 U.S. Supreme Court decision that ended non-unanimous jury convictions. He has also founded a non-profit to help incarcerated individuals access the court system. As the legislature moves forward with the bill, it is poised to pass through the GOP-controlled house and receive Landry's approval, effectively preventing Duncan from taking office.

What to watch: The upcoming vote in the GOP-controlled house on the bill to eliminate Duncan's position.