Collection:LPB

Genre: Newsmagazine

Place Covered: New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1985-12-20

Duration: 00:27:42

Subjects: Edwards, Edwin W. | TRIALS

Contributors:

• Johnson, Ken Host
• Myers, Laura Reporter
• Nachman, Karen Reporter
• Volz, John Speaker
• Edwards, Edwin Speaker
• Baker, Richard Interviewee
• Edwards, Marion Interviewee
• Falgout, Ronald Interviewee
• Wyllie, James Interviewee
• Mijalis, Gus Interviewee
• Neal, James Interviewee
• Hardin, Pauline Interviewee
• Boitmann, Robert Interviewee
• Jeffress, William Interviewee
• Converse, Geneva Interviewee
• Naquin, James Interviewee
• Parent, Wayne Interviewee

This episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” from December 20, 1985, features special reports on a federal judge declaring a mistrial due to a hung jury in the trial of Governor Edwin Edwards and four other defendants in New Orleans on fraud and racketeering charges related to the permitting process for building new hospitals and nursing homes. Ken Johnson first reports on the reaction to the trial’s conclusion, including an interview with State Representative Richard Baker. Next, Laura Myers reports on the reactions to the end of the trial by the people involved in the trial. She interviews: Marion Edwards, former defendant; Ronald Falgout, former defendant; James Wyllie, former defendant; Gus Mijalis, former defendant; James Neal, defense attorney; United States Attorney John Volz; Pauline Hardman, prosecutor; Robert Boitman, prosecutor; William Jeffress, defense attorney; Geneva Converse, juror; and James Naquin, jury foreman. Ken Johnson then reports on a press conference held by Governor Edwards on the end of the trial and his plans to call a special session in January to deal with the state’s ailing economy. Next, Johnson conducts an in-studio interview with Dr. Wayne Parent, a political science professor at LSU, who discusses Governor Edwards’ political future. Karen Nachman then interviews Louisiana residents about their reactions to the end of the trial. Lastly, Myers reflects on covering the trial for fourteen weeks.