SOCL 4471 Chapter : Day 11
Document Summary
September 6, 1945 the grand juror returned an indictment (formal charging document) for first-degree murder against willie francis. Grand jury in la consists of 12 people who (historically) are expected to serve as a filter or an additional layer between individual citizens and the actions of the government. Supposed to be there to help limit the extent to which the government can accuse us of whatever crimes however kind of way. However, grand juries are only allowed to hear the side of the prosecutor (making it one sided) and then they accuse the suspect of committing the crime or not. The indictment was filed in the 16th judicial district court. Louisiana law required that, at the arraignment, the accused had to be represented by an attorney. Judge simon appointed 2 attorneys to represent willie. Between the two of them, they have 76 years of experience. Willie francis entered a plea of not guilty during his arraignment.
