LSU Manship School News Service

Gov. Jeff Landry vowed in the open of his special legislative session on crime that he would put victims first, but as hours of emotional testimony illuminated in a Senate judiciary committee Monday, not all of them agree on how best to do that.

The House Administration of Criminal Justice voted 10-3 to advance the bill despite opposition from New Orleans officials, who expressed concern about the safety of police officers and tourists visiting the city.

Louisiana lawmakers gave final passage Thursday to sweeping changes in crime laws sought by Gov. Jeff Landry--including measures that will expand methods of execution to include electrocution and nitrogen hypoxia and shield records relating to the executions.

As Louisiana undertakes a massive overhaul of criminal justice laws, one of the most controversial changes is putting more 17-year-olds on trial for crimes as adults. The move backpedals on a measure passed seven years ago that treated teens under 18 as juveniles in most cases.