Conviction Overturned For “Angola 3” Member Albert Woodfox

In response to a Federal judge’s decision overturning the conviction of Albert Woodfox, one of the two “Angola 3” members who remain in prison, lawyers for the men called on the State Attorney General’s office to drop any further appeals and release the men immediately.  Woodfox and fellow inmate Herman Wallace have been imprisoned since 1972 for the murder of prison guard Brent Miller.  They spent 36 years of that time in solitary confinement.

In response to a Federal judge’s decision overturning the conviction of Albert Woodfox, one of the two “Angola 3” members who remain in prison, lawyers for the men called on the State Attorney General’s office to drop any further appeals and release the men immediately.  Woodfox and fellow inmate Herman Wallace have been imprisoned since 1972 for the murder of prison guard Brent Miller.  They spent 36 years of that time in solitary confinement.

“Herman and Albert were convicted of a crime based on false evidence.  Now, a judge has overturned that conviction. They must be released immediately. They are men in their 60s who’ve spent the last 36 years of their lives in prison for a crime they did not commit. No further legal delay should rob them of even another day of their lives,” said Chris Aberle, a lawyer for Woodfox.

“The state has already stolen nearly four decades of Albert Woodfox’s life.  The injustice in this case is unfathomable. How can Louisiana continue to imprison a 61 year old man after a federal judge has ruled that he shouldn’t have been convicted in the first place? This case calls up the brutality and racism of an older Louisiana.  The state needs to move forward. Albert must be released,” said Nick Trenticosta, also a lawyer for the men.

The third member of the Angola 3, Robert King, was released in 2001 after a judge overturned his conviction.  King had spent 29 years in solitary confinement for a separate crime.

www.Angola3.org
>From Coalition to Free the Angola 3

What Happened, What We Want:  Yesterday evening Federal Judge James Brady issued a ruling overturning the conviction of Albert Woodfox.  Lawyers for the men call on the State Attorney General’s office to drop any further appeals and release the men immediately.

What Happens Next?  The State may appeal and/or attempt to retry Albert.  If they do appeal or choose to retry him, there are several scenarios where they could try to stop Judge Brady’s ruling from taking effect pending their next steps.

Bottom line, in the next 30 to 60 days there is a possibility that Albert could be released.  However, as with most steps in the legal process, if the State wants to delay his release and/or prevent him from getting out on bond, there are several ways they can try to do that.   The attorneys are studying all of the options closely to determine the quickest judicial route to Albert’s long overdue release.  Moreover, we are urging the State to do the right thing and just let him go without a fuss as he has suffered enough already.

What Does This Mean For Herman?  There is no automatic link between what happens in Albert’s case and how it effects Herman’s.  But certainly if Albert is released and the overturning of his conviction is upheld in court, or not challenged by the State, then attorneys would try to make the argument that Herman’s case is so similar he should also be released.

This and other news about organizing can be found at www.realcostofprisons.org/blog/