Murder Conviction Overturned ,Again, After 36 Years in Solitary(Former Black Panther Albert Woodfox)

[sabra]

Source: ABC News

Former Black Panther Albert Woodfox is "Drunk on Justice," Attorney Says

The murder conviction of a man who was held in solitary confinement for 36 years has been officially overturned, following a lengthy legal back and forth between Louisiana prosecutors and defense attorneys.

District Court Judge James Brady entered his final judgment in the case yesterday, granting 61-year-old Albert Woodfox habeas corpus relief, after attorneys for Woodfox argued that prosecutors did not turn over potentially exculpatory evidence about a lead witness and that his former lawyer made mistakes at his trial. A petition for a writ of habeas corpus is a mechanism through which a person can seek relief from unlawful detention, and is often used when all other appeals have failed.

"He is absolutely elated," Woodfox's attorney Nick Trenticosta said of his client. When Trenticosta called Woodfox to tell him the news, he said to him, "Albert it sounds like you're drunk, and he said, 'I am drunk on justice.'"

Judge Brady issued his opinion overturning the conviction in July, which the state of Louisiana then appealed. This most recent judgment considered the state's appeal but ultimately rejected it, although the case is not over yet. The state now has 30 days to decide to retry Woodfox or dismiss the charges, while attorneys for Woodfox are calling on the state to drop any further actions.

"We call on the Attorney General to do the right thing," said Trenticosta. "To act as a reasonable public servant in the pursuit of justice&to allow Mr. Woodfox to go home today."

Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=5894181&page=1

[knowbody0]

1. 36 years in solitary?

wow. hope he goes "home" today.

[madmax]

2. OMG..... 35 YEARS SOLITARY?

"District Court Judge James Brady entered his final judgment in the case yesterday, granting 61-year-old Albert Woodfox habeas corpus relief, after attorneys for Woodfox argued that prosecutors did not turn over potentially exculpatory evidence about a lead witness and that his former lawyer made mistakes at his trial. A petition for a writ of habeas corpus is a mechanism through which a person can seek relief from unlawful detention, and is often used when all other appeals have failed."

[amdezurik]

8. over half his life

all because of an over-zealous and/or criminal DA. My personal opinion is in cases like this the persecutor(not a mis-spelling) serve the sentence he or she tried to impose on the victim in the case.

[slampoet]

10. There needs to be a law. You set someone up? You serve Double what you framed them for.

That goes to hanging you twice too.

Ain't nobody on this board who can deny that there are DOZENS of prosecutors that need to be hung til they die.

[sudopod]

3. kick

[nickyt]

4. 36 YEARS - can you frickin' imagine.

May your homecoming be as glorious as you've imagined for the 432 months you've been away, Mr. Woodfox -

[puebloknot]

11. Nelson Mandela can imagine! Justice delayed is justice denied.

But it's great news!

[readmoreoften]

12. Good God, someone get the man and iPhone and some intertubes.

This here is called a DVD. No it's not like that VCR you saw that one day in the office with your lawyer in '83. No it's not an 8-Track. Nope, not a magic frisbee.

[Gregorian]

5. I will certainly be celebrating along with him.

Oh happy day.

I never even knew who he was. How many more are there like him? Mumia Abu Jamal?

[unblock]

6. 36 years in solitary? i'll bet mclame is jealous!

:evilgrin:

[damntexdem]

7. Calling on Louisiana prosecutors to do the right thing?

I mean, Louisiana? I predict that there will be another attempt at a trial.

[dudewheresmycountry]

9. 36 years welcome back to the world

Albert Woodfox, Blessings to you and for those who helped you along the way........