New Orleans D.A. to answer lawmakers' questions about convicts getting out of prison

New Orleans District Attorney Jason Williams goes before a state senate panel Thursday morning, which has questions about his office's handling of some cases on appeal.

Williams has long advocated for post-conviction relief for individuals who were convicted under sketchy circumstances.

"To some extent, this is political theater," said political analyst Clancy DuBos. DuBos says Louisiana gives pretty broad authority to prosecutors on how to respond to convicts' appeals.

"District attorneys under the state constitution have absolute discretion in how they handle prosecutions and that includes post-conviction relief," he said, and ultimately, it is the judge who decides whether or not to grant a reduced sentence, release someone from jail, or approve any other changes.

The meeting of the state senate's Judiciary C committee begins at 9 a.m.