The Latest:Ex-prosecutor pleads guilty to obstruction charge

NEW ORLEANS – The Latest on case of Louisiana district attorney (all times local):

9:20 a.m.

A former Louisiana district attorney has pleaded guilty to a charge that he harassed a witness and tried to get rid of evidence for a federal grand jury investigation that targeted the veteran prosecutor.

Harry Morel, who served as St. Charles Parish’s elected district attorney for 33 years, was charged last month with obstruction of justice. Morel’s attorney, Ralph Capitelli, said earlier that the 73-year-old intended to plead guilty to the federal charge Wednesday.

In a March 31 court filing, U.S. Attorney Kenneth Polite’s office said Morel and a grand jury witness had “inappropriate” meetings concerning criminal charges against the witness and others.

The court filing says Morel instructed the witness to destroy photographic evidence of the meetings, knowing federal authorities wanted it.

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3:40 a.m.

A former Louisiana district attorney is expected to plead guilty to a charge that he harassed a witness and tried to get rid of evidence for a federal grand jury investigation that targeted the veteran prosecutor.

Harry Morel, who served as St. Charles Parish’s elected district attorney for 33 years, was charged last month with obstruction of justice. Morel’s attorney, Ralph Capitelli, says the 73-year-old intends to plead guilty to the federal charge Wednesday.

In a March 31 court filing, U.S. Attorney Kenneth Polite’s office said Morel and a grand jury witness had “inappropriate” meetings concerning criminal charges against the witness and others.

The court filing says Morel instructed the witness to destroy photographic evidence of the meetings, knowing federal authorities wanted it.