The Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board rejected findings of misconduct against a prosecutor

This disciplinary action, consisting of one count, follows what we now know to have been the wrongful conviction of Michael Williams for second degree murder twenty years ago. The only evidence linking Williams to the murder was the testimony of Christopher Landry, who completely recanted his testimony in 2009. The Respondent, Ken Dohre, was the prosecutor in the case, which was prosecuted and tried from 1996 to 1997. After investigating the complaint made by Williams’ Innocence Project attorney, the Office of Disciplinary Counsel (“ODC”) charged the Respondent with violating Rule 3.3(a)(4) of the Rules of Professional Conduct due to his failure to disclose exculpatory evidence to the trial court following the witness’s differing testimony at trial, and Rule 3.8(d) due to his failure to timely disclose the grand jury testimony to the defense prior to trial. Although the hearing committee found misconduct and recommended that Respondent be suspended for a year and a day, the Board finds that the facts do not establish