Summary
Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams recused himself from an investigation into a jailbreak that saw 10 inmates escape a New Orleans jail, following allegations of a conflict of interest from Sheriff Susan Hutson. The investigation was initiated by Governor Jeff Landry, and Williams faced accusations that his involvement favored his endorsed candidate for sheriff, Michelle Woodfork. Williams attributed his withdrawal to the investigation’s multi-jurisdictional nature while criticizing Hutson’s management and the delayed response to the escape, which has drawn scrutiny due to the jail’s ongoing dysfunction.