NEW ORLEANS — New Orleans prosecutors are appealing a judge’s order to release seven jail inmates because their cases have stalled amid uncertain funding for their defense.
In a court filing Friday, Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro’s office argued that Criminal District Court Judge Arthur Hunter erroneously “jumped to the most radical relief that could be granted.”
The Advocate reported that it’s unclear when the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals will rule on prosecutors’ challenge to Hunter’s April 8 ruling. Hunter stayed his ruling pending an appeal, so the seven inmates have remained jailed.
One of the inmates ordered released by Hunter is charged with murder. Another is charged with rape.
Hunter’s order says the inmates have been jailed for anywhere from about three months to more than three years. He ruled that the lack of state funding violated the seven defendants’ constitutional rights.