Opinion ID: 1625408
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: February, 1982 Ruling

Text: In February, 1982 Judge Bailes, after an evidentiary hearing, decided that the attorney general should supersede the district attorney. Judge Bailes made written findings of fact which do not depart from those of the court of appeal in the instant case, and made conclusions of law as follows: From the above enumerated findings of fact, this court concludes that the action of the district attorney, Leander H. Perez, Jr., in causing the dismissal of the additional grand jury was an illegal interference with the function of the additional grand jury and that it was a calculated and deliberate attempt, effort and action on his part to thwart the action of the legally constituted additional grand jury of Plaquemines Parish and to prevent the return of indictments against him and Delta Development Company, Inc., the latter of which he, the district attorney, was a principal stockholder. This action was taken by District Attorney Leander H. Perez, Jr., with full knowledge that the said motion contained false assertions of fact and knowing full well that the additional grand jury had, in fact, voted indictments as above set forth. Further, at the time this action was taken by the district attorney he was consciously aware of and had full knowledge of the fact that he had previously recused himself from investigations by the additional grand jury into matters involving his brother, Chalin O. Perez. Finally, this court concludes that the action of the district attorney in charging the additional grand jury foreman, James Elliott, with the crime of conspiracy and extortion was specifically designed and effected for the purpose of punishing him for his participation in the additional grand jury investigation and action and for attempting to return the above mentioned indictments. This court, on the application of the district attorney, denied writs in No. 82-0-0606. See In re Superseding of District Attorney of Twenty-Fifth Judicial District, 411 So.2d 469 (La.1982).