A New Orleans man who had his murder conviction tossed wins election as city’s chief record keeper

In a remarkable turn of events, New Orleans voters have elected Calvin Duncan, a man who spent 30 years in prison before his murder conviction was vacated, as the city’s new clerk of criminal court. Duncan won decisively with 68% of the vote in Saturday’s election, according to unofficial returns from the Louisiana Secretary of State’s office.

“Tonight is a dream that’s been forty years in the making,” Duncan said in a statement following his victory. “I hope that all those people who died in prison because we couldn’t get their records are looking down now. I hope they’re proud of me.”

Duncan, 62, was convicted of a 1981 fatal shooting but fought for decades to clear his name. His breakthrough came when he uncovered evidence that police officers had lied in court, leading a judge to toss his conviction in 2021. His case is now listed in the National Registry of Exonerations.

Despite this legal exoneration, Duncan’s opponent, incumbent Darren Lombard, repeatedly claimed during the campaign that Duncan was guilty of the crime. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill also questioned Duncan’s innocence, even as more than 160 legal professionals signed a public letter attesting to his exoneration.

“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,” the letter stated.

The election represents the culmination of an extraordinary journey for Duncan, who had only an eighth-grade education when he entered prison but became a jailhouse lawyer and legal expert during his incarceration. He helped fellow inmates challenge unconstitutional practices while behind bars and later became a licensed attorney after his release.

In October’s primary election, Duncan received 47% of the vote in a three-candidate race, forcing a runoff with Lombard, who had secured 46%. Despite Lombard having the backing of the city’s mayor-elect and other political power players, Duncan prevailed in the November 15 runoff.

Following the results, Lombard conceded gracefully: “I want to congratulate Calvin Duncan on his victory. I stand ready to support a smooth and professional transition so that the important work of this office continues without interruption.”

Duncan’s legal advocacy has already made a significant impact on the American justice system. In 2020, his work helped drive a landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision that ended non-unanimous jury convictions in Louisiana and Oregon, the only two states still allowing a practice with roots in the Jim Crow era.

As clerk of criminal court, Duncan will oversee the management of court records in a system that still relies heavily on paper files, though the city says a digital filing system is in development. The importance of proper record-keeping was highlighted in August when court records were mistakenly discarded, forcing the clerk’s office to search through a landfill to retrieve them.

Duncan has said he sought the position to ensure fair treatment for all and to ensure court records are handled with greater care and respect. His personal experience with the criminal justice system includes recalling how incarcerated people often waited years to access basic court documents relevant to their cases.

His election represents a powerful story of redemption and transformation, from wrongfully convicted prisoner to a position overseeing the very court system that once failed him. For many observers, Duncan’s victory symbolizes the possibility of meaningful reform in a criminal justice system often criticized for its inequities and inefficiencies.