New Orleans jailbreak manhunt continues as sheriff and DA clash over probe

The feud between the district attorney and the sheriff in New Orleans continues to escalate following a massive jailbreak involving 10 inmates. The district attorney, Jason Williams, fired back at Sheriff Susan Hutson after she sought his recusal from the investigation into the escape.

In a media release, Williams criticized the sheriff’s handling of the situation, stating that jail leadership should have requested an independent forensic processing of the scene immediately after the jailbreak. He expressed concerns about the Sheriff’s Office being compromised until any bad actors are identified and removed.

The sheriff, in turn, filed a lawsuit seeking to bar Williams from investigating the jailbreak, citing ongoing attacks on her office. She accused Williams of displaying political bias, especially since he is supporting her opponent in an upcoming reelection bid.

The matter was ultimately settled out of court in a meeting with Orleans Parish Criminal Judge Nandi Campbell. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill’s office will now lead the investigation into the escape to ensure such a breach of security does not happen again.

Two of the escaped inmates, including a four-time killer and a serial escapee, are still on the loose. Crime Stoppers and the FBI have increased their rewards for information leading to their capture to $50,000 each. The other eight escapees have been apprehended, and 14 individuals have been arrested for assisting them before or after the breakout.

Williams, who was funded by George Soros in his campaign efforts, has been in office since January 2021. The ongoing conflict between him and Sheriff Hutson adds another layer of complexity to the investigation into the jailbreak. As law enforcement agencies continue to search for the remaining fugitives, the focus remains on recapturing the escapees and addressing any systemic failures that allowed the breakout to occur.

The situation in New Orleans serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by law enforcement in maintaining security and order within correctional facilities. It also highlights the importance of collaboration and communication between different agencies to ensure the swift and effective resolution of such incidents.