Convicted murderer to get 'compassionate' release

A terminally ill inmate who was sentenced to life in prison for a 1986 murder will be released by court order to spend his final days with his family.

A state appeals court in San Francisco ruled last week that Carl Wade, 66, was entitled to "compassionate release" under a state law for prisoners whose death is imminent and who pose no risk to the public.

Attorney General Kamala Harris' office could have delayed Wade's release indefinitely by asking the state Supreme Court to review the case. But the office will not appeal the ruling, spokeswoman Lynda Gledhill said Wednesday.

Defense lawyer L. Richard Braucher said Wade would be freed within days from a state prison in Vacaville to live with his sister and her family in Chico. "They're ready to have him come home," he said.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2012/05/24/BA4N1ON2UF.DTL