In brief
Calvin Duncan, a 62-year-old man wrongfully convicted of murder, has been elected the new Clerk of Criminal Court in New Orleans, securing 68% of the votes. Despite facing claims of guilt from his opponent and the Louisiana Attorney General, Duncan's conviction was vacated in 2021 after decades of legal battles where he uncovered police misconduct. His advocacy also led to the U.S. Supreme Court ruling against non-unanimous jury convictions, aiming to ensure fair treatment and respect for court records.
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Calvin Duncan, a New Orleans man who spent three decades wrongfully imprisoned, has made a significant political comeback by winning the election to serve as the city’s Clerk of Criminal Court. Duncan's victory came despite challenges to his integrity from his opponent and the state, who maintained claims of his guilt even after his conviction was vacated.
Duncan, a Democrat, was initially convicted for a murder that occurred in 1981. After spending years fighting to clear his name, he uncovered evidence of police misconduct, which led to the vacating of his conviction by a judge in 2021. In the recent election, he garnered 68% of the votes, overcoming the incumbent Clerk, Darren Lombard, who received 32%.
A public letter from over 160 legal professionals attested to Duncan's innocence, firmly stating, “The facts, the law, and the procedural history are clear: Calvin Duncan was wrongfully convicted, he has proved his innocence, and he is now fully exonerated.” Duncan is listed in the National Registry of Exonerations.
Throughout the election campaign, Lombard claimed that Duncan was guilty, despite the overwhelming evidence supporting Duncan’s exoneration. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill also voiced skepticism about Duncan's innocence, leading to heated debates during the election period.
In the primary election held in October, Duncan secured 47% of the vote, setting the stage for a runoff against Lombard, who received 46%. The race became tight, with endorsements from prominent local political figures backing Lombard. Ultimately, Duncan triumphed in the runoff held on November 15th.
Duncan expressed gratitude towards his supporters while acknowledging the challenges that lie ahead. He aims to address issues in the court’s current reliance on outdated paper records, noting past incidents where crucial records were mistakenly discarded.
Having only received an eighth-grade education before his imprisonment, Duncan became an advocate for legal rights within prison, assisting others in challenging unconstitutional practices. He later became a lawyer and was influential in advocating for significant legal reforms, including the Supreme Court's decision to abolish non-unanimous jury convictions in Louisiana and Oregon.
Calvin Duncan’s election marks a significant chapter in his life, and he aims to ensure transparency and fairness within the city’s criminal court system as he transitions into his new role.
