Exoneree Duncan Takes Orleans Clerk Post After Judge Blocks Law

A Louisiana man exonerated after nearly three decades in prison for a wrongful murder conviction took office Monday as Orleans Parish criminal district court clerk, following a federal judge's last-minute order blocking state legislation that sought to eliminate the elected position.

Calvin Duncan, 63, won the November election with 68 percent of the vote, defeating the incumbent and promising to improve access to court records based on his own experience navigating the justice system while incarcerated. His murder conviction was vacated in 2021 after evidence showed police officers had lied in court. Duncan, who taught himself law behind bars and later became a licensed attorney, climbed the steps to the New Orleans courthouse early Monday and expressed enthusiasm for the role.

The position's elimination came via a bill signed Thursday by Republican Gov. Jeff Landry, at the urging of the GOP-controlled state Legislature. The measure would have transferred the criminal court clerk's duties to the Orleans Parish clerk of civil court, consolidating the offices to match practices in the state's other parishes. Officials cited improved efficiency and cost savings of about $27,000...