Louisiana GOP Moves to Nix Exonerated Man’s Court Job

Here’s What They Meant to Say

The Great Reform Promise

So, Calvin Duncan, a man who spent nearly three decades behind bars, decides to run for office in New Orleans. He wins with a whopping 68% of the vote, promising to fix the very judicial system that wronged him. Sounds like a redemption story, right? But hold your horses, because here comes the Louisiana GOP, led by Governor Jeff Landry, in a mad dash to eliminate Duncan’s position before he even starts. Apparently, giving a man a second chance is just too much to handle for the Republicans.

Duncan, who was exonerated after a judge finally recognized his wrongful conviction, saw his victory as a chance to bring real change. But the Republican-controlled state legislature, with its white majority, seems more interested in ‘streamlining’ the judiciary in New Orleans, a Democratic stronghold with a predominantly Black electorate. It’s almost as if they’re allergic to the idea of justice reform, especially when it comes from someone who’s lived through the system’s failures.

Efficiency or Retaliation?

Now, Republicans claim this isn’t personal. They say it’s all about government efficiency. Sure, because nothing screams efficiency like scrapping a job that a majority of voters wanted filled. Duncan himself believes this move is a retaliation by officials who have always questioned his innocence, despite his name being on the National Registry of Exonerations. But who needs facts when you’ve got political agendas?

The GOP’s efficiency argument is laughable. The legislative auditor claims the state might save a whopping $27,300 by eliminating Duncan’s position. But wait, the costs of combining the clerks’ offices remain ‘unknown.’ So, they’re ready to dismantle a democratically elected office for pennies, all while ignoring the will of New Orleans voters. It’s almost as if they’re more interested in silencing a reform advocate than actually saving money.

The Plea Deal Drama

Let’s not forget the GOP’s favorite talking point: the 2011 plea deal. Yes, Duncan accepted a plea to get out of prison after nearly 30 years, but that’s hardly an admission of guilt. Yet, Attorney General Landry and his successor Liz Murrill cling to this as if it’s the Holy Grail of their argument against Duncan. They’ve even threatened his law license if he dares call himself ‘exonerated.’

Murrill claims she has ‘no involvement’ in the move to eliminate Duncan’s office. Right, because it’s just a coincidence that the GOP is working overtime to erase Duncan’s victory. It’s almost as if they’re terrified of what he might accomplish if given the chance to serve. But hey, who needs justice when you can have political vendettas?

A Legacy of Reform

Calvin Duncan isn’t just some guy off the street. He’s the force behind a 2020 Supreme Court decision that ended non-unanimous jury convictions. He’s founded a non-profit to help incarcerated individuals access the court system. His election to the clerk’s office was supposed to be the culmination of his life’s work. But the GOP seems determined to crush that dream before it even begins.

State Senator Royce Duplessis called the move to eliminate Duncan’s position ‘barbaric.’ And he’s right. It’s a blatant attempt to undo the will of the people and silence a voice for reform. But history will remember this, even if the GOP hopes it won’t. Duncan’s story is one of resilience and hope, and no amount of political maneuvering can erase that.