Louisiana’s Attorney General, Liz Murill, has taken a significant step in addressing the backlog of death penalty cases in the state by appealing to the Louisiana Supreme Court. Murill is seeking the court’s guidance in developing clear standards that would expedite the executions of five inmates currently on death row.
These individuals, convicted of heinous crimes, have had their appeals processes extended over decades, delaying justice for the victims’ families. Murill argues that these prolonged delays are unacceptable and are preventing closure for the victims’ loved ones.
The Cases of the Five Inmates
The five inmates in question—Larry Roy, Antoinette Frank, Robert Miller, David Bowie, and Marcus Reed—have all been convicted of murder and sentenced to death.
Their cases have undergone the usual appeal processes, but the continued relief procedures have dragged on, giving the convicted offenders repeated opportunities to test constitutional defects in their convictions.
While this is not mandatory, it has created a situation where justice remains delayed for the victims’ families.
Larry Roy: Known as the “Cheneyville Slasher,” Roy was convicted for the brutal murders of his ex-girlfriend’s family in 1993, including her ex-husband and her aunt.
Antoinette Frank: A former New Orleans police officer, Frank was convicted for the 1995 murders of her partner and two restaurant owners during a robbery.
Robert Miller: In 1997, Miller raped, robbed, and murdered his landlord.
David Bowie: Bowie was convicted for murdering a man he had lost money to in 1996.
Marcus Reed: The most recent case, Reed was convicted in 2010 for the murders of three brothers.
While each of these cases has already gone through a sentencing and appellate review, they are now stuck in a lengthy relief process that the attorney general believes is preventing swift justice.
The Appeal for Expedited Justice
Attorney General Liz Murill has filed writs with the Louisiana Supreme Court, urging the justices to create a standard that would expedite these death row cases.
Murill’s complaint centers on the notion that the prolonged appeals have created unnecessary delays in justice, especially when the relief sought by the convicted offenders is optional. She emphasized that the delay in carrying out these executions is not just detrimental to the victims’ families but also prejudices the state.
Murill argued that some district courts have created exceptions in capital cases that are not authorized by law. She is hopeful that the Louisiana Supreme Court will clarify how post-conviction relief should be handled in cases where the applicant has waited decades to pursue relief.
If the court grants her request, the lower courts would have clear direction to move these cases forward more efficiently.
The Importance of Victim Justice
Murill has been vocal about her commitment to ensuring that the victims’ families receive the justice they deserve. “The family members of these victims deserve justice,” Murill stated, expressing her frustration over the prolonged wait for the executions to be carried out.
She described the delay as “shameful” and emphasized that it serves no valid purpose. As Louisiana’s Attorney General, Murill has promised to prioritize the victims’ families and ensure that their voices are heard.
The Resumption of the Death Penalty in Louisiana
This appeal comes at a time when Louisiana has recently resumed carrying out the death penalty after a 15-year hiatus. In March 2025, Jessie Hoffman became the first person to be executed in the state using nitrogen gas.
Hoffman had been convicted of the 1996 kidnapping, rape, and murder of a woman. This marked the first execution in Louisiana since the state reintroduced the death penalty, which had been on hold for over a decade.
With the resumption of executions and Murill’s push for a clearer framework in capital cases, it seems that Louisiana is looking to move forward with handling death row cases more decisively.
However, the debate over the fairness and effectiveness of the death penalty continues, with some arguing for reform, while others, like Murill, push for the timely enforcement of justice.
Attorney General Liz Murill’s appeal to the Louisiana Supreme Court represents a critical moment in the state’s criminal justice system. The prolonged delays in the executions of five death row inmates have sparked a call for clear standards that would expedite the process, ensuring justice for victims’ families who have been waiting for decades.
Murill’s focus on ending these delays and moving the cases forward reflects her broader commitment to putting the victims first. With the recent resumption of executions in Louisiana, the state is taking steps to address its backlog, but the conversation about the death penalty’s future remains ongoing.
