Louisiana exoneree will not take office after Republicans eliminate position

Louisiana Republicans have eliminated the office an exoneree was set to take after being overwhelmingly elected to the New Orleans-based seat.

Republican Gov. Jeff Landry signed GOP-authored legislation to eliminate the position Thursday.

Republicans say abolishing the office is a consolidation effort meant to make the local judicial system more efficient.

But Democrats say the change is a targeted attack on the Democrat-elect and government overreach, essentially undoing an election in a predominately Black parish.

Calvin Duncan, who spent nearly 30 years behind bars for a fatal shooting before being exonerated in 2021, had been set to take office on May 4.