US man ordered freed after 43 yrs in solitary

AFP, WASHINGTON: A US federal judge ordered Monday the release of the country's longest-serving solitary confinement prisoner, who was imprisoned as such almost 43 years. Albert Woodfox, 68, was placed in solitary confinement at Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola and other facilities in the state, due to a since-overturned conviction for the death of a guard during a 1972 prison riot. US District Judge James Brady ordered Woodfox's unconditional release, and barred any further trial on the murder charges. "Evidence supporting claims of Mr Woodfox's innocence gives this Court even more reason to question his two previously overturned convictions," Brady wrote in his order. In November, the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit overturned Woodfox's conviction, but he was charged again at state level in February.

 

US man ordered freed after 43 yrs in solitary

AFP, WASHINGTON: A US federal judge ordered Monday the release of the countrys longest-serving solitary confinement prisoner, who was imprisoned as such almost 43 years. Albert Woodfox, 68, was placed in solitary confinement at Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola and other facilities in the state, due to a since-overturned conviction for the death of a guard during a 1972 prison riot. US District Judge James Brady ordered Woodfoxs unconditional release, and barred any further trial on the murder charges. Evidence supporting claims of Mr Woodfoxs innocence gives this Court even more reason to question his two previously overturned convictions, Brady wrote in his order. In November, the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit overturned Woodfoxs conviction, but he was charged again at state level in February.