Grieving Louisiana father faces $18,000 bill to access state records of son’s case

Lawsuit alleges that office of Jefferson parish district attorney is violating state public records laws by setting such a high price

A Louisiana state prosecutor who declined to file a murder charge in connection with a man’s drugging and robbery death in 2017 has demanded more than $18,000 for the victim’s grieving father to obtain public records related to the case.

Robert G Arthur III – whose son, Shawn Arthur, died as a result of federal sex trafficking and theft crimes, according to a judge – responded to the demand by filing a lawsuit Wednesday which alleges that the office of Jefferson parish district attorney Paul Connick is violating state public records laws by setting such a high price.