Judge can’t remember whether he used fake subpoenas while working as prosecutor
Defense attorneys are seeking a new trial because their client was convicted after the victim received a fake subpoena.
Category
Criminal Justice
Asking why and how, and what needs to be done.
Lawyers ask judge to disclose whether he used fake subpoenas when he was a prosecutor
Judge Byron Williams was a prosecutor when the DA’s office used an earlier version of its fake subpoenas.
For years, defense lawyers told judges that New Orleans prosecutors were using fake subpoenas. Nothing happened.
Some have asked how Orleans Parish prosecutors used fake subpoenas for so long with no repercussions. We found several instances in which lawyers protested their use in court, but nothing happened. The practice stopped only when it was made public.
Orleans Parish judge sent misleading ‘DA subpoenas’ when she was a prosecutor
Criminal District Judge Karen Herman also issued arrest warrants to two women after they disobeyed fake subpoenas.
Orleans Parish prosecutors’ use of misleading ‘DA subpoenas’ goes back about 20 years
Former DA Harry Connick said there's a big difference between the notices his prosecutors used and the ones sent under the current DA.
District attorney plans to appeal ruling requiring him to turn over fake subpoenas to The Lens
But Cannizzaro’s office will continue to search case files for the documents, a spokesman said.
Lawyers say shooting victim was coerced with a fake subpoena into talking to police
They contend the defendant should get a new trial because the DA didn’t disclose two fake subpoenas and other evidence.
DA’s office says it can’t be held responsible for sending fake subpoenas, jailing people for ignoring them
Cannizzaro’s lawyer argues a federal lawsuit should be tossed because no one’s civil rights were violated.
Orleans Parish DA turns over first fake subpoena found in its files
A judge ordered the office to search cases that had been refused for prosecution. Next up: all cases closed in a 16-month period.
Orleans DA’s office is searching 150,000 case files to find fake subpoenas, arrest warrants for witnesses
For months, the DA has said it’s too hard to find fake subpoenas. Now he’s trying.
