US court frees overturned convict after four decades of solitary

Washington

A US federal judge ordered on Monday the release of Albert Woodfox, 68, a solitary confinement prisoner for 43 years 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 ordering that the "evidence supporting claims of Woodfox's innocence gives this Court even more reason to question his two previously overturned convictions."

 The citing of a witness that Woodfox was not involved in the murder together with scientific evidences at the scene that turned negative on the accused and a polygraph test which proved that the convict was truthful confirmed the innocence of the overturned convict.

 Aaron Sadler, spokesman of Louisiana Department of Justice said that Brady's order "arbitrarily sets aside jury decisions" based on "faulty procedural issues."

 Brady listed five "exceptional circumstances" for Woodfox to be released unconditionally and immediately, rather than the usual conditional release pending trial.

 In addition to Woodfox's age and "poor health," the judge also listed his "lack of confidence in the state to provide a fair third trial, the prejudice done onto Woodfox and finally the fact that he has already been tried twice.”