Clemency hearings set at Edwards' urging

Clemency hearings set at Edwards' urging

Clemency hearings: A day after Gov. John Bel Edwards pushed it to consider death row prisoners' applications for clemency, the state pardon board set hearings for 20 of the prisoners who applied for that relief, Tyler Bridges reports. The move was quickly blasted by the Louisiana District Attorneys Association and others.

Qualifying ends: The qualifying period for this fall's elections ended on Thursday, James Finn reports. See the full list of candidates for statewide and local races. Also this week, gubernatorial candidates Jeff Landry and Sharon Hewitt traded barbs, Sam Karlin reports.

Cantrell vs. City Council: New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has vowed to veto the New Orleans City Council's decision to lease a unit in the historic Upper Pontalba Apartments that Cantrell had personally used. Cantrell's frequent overnight stays at the apartment have sparked controversy in recent months.

Numbers to Know

20 of 56 prisoners who applied for clemency will receive a hearing

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

The 42-member Louisiana District Attorneys Association opposes that move

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

In the past 40 years, there have been six exonerations of people sentenced to death in Louisiana

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

Source: Louisiana Board of Pardons and Parole, Gov. John Bel Edwards

Note: We deliver Inside Louisiana Politics thrice weekly. Got this email from a friend? Click here to be added to our list!