Criticized NOLA DA shuffles staff, OKs outside review
by Laura Maggi - Times-Picayune (excerpt)

Facing mounting criticism of how his office handled a high-profile murder case, Orleans Parish District Attorney Eddie Jordan on Friday announced a staff shake-up that will shift the homicide cases to a more experienced team of prosecutors, while also asking a national organization to evaluate how his office is operating.

The "performance audit" by the National District Attorneys Association will replace a review that Attorney General Charles Foti had agreed to undertake on Thursday. Foti, who attended the news conference with Jordan, said it makes sense for a national group with expertise in the reviews to look at the office. Foti said he could help the New Orleans district attorney with more immediate problems.

If money is necessary to pay for the study, that will be covered by the New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation, a nonprofit organization, said Foti, who also will provide Jordan will several investigators and attorneys.

As Jordan made the announcements, four City Council members sent a letter to the Louisiana Supreme Court, asking that the justices look at the district attorney's office, potentially discipline Jordan through its powers over lawyers and determine whether they are able to appoint a special prosecutor to help run the office and prosecute violent crime cases.

The letter was written by Council President Arnie Fielkow and also signed by Councilwomen Cynthia Hedge-Morrell, Shelley Midura and Stacy Head. Midura on Thursday had sent another letter to Jordan, asking him to resign.