La. Prison Journalist Freed After 44 Yrs.

[whatelseisnew]

http://talk.workunlimited.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-4736312,00.html

Sunday January 16, 2005 8:31 AM

By ADAM NOSSITER

Associated Press Writer

LAKE CHARLES, La. (AP) - An award-winning black journalist convicted of murder three times by all-white juries in the 1961 death of a bank teller was set free after a racially-mixed jury found him guilty of manslaughter.

Wilbert Rideau, a confessed killer who gained fame for exposes of harsh Louisiana prison life, won his release Saturday after nearly 44 years in state prisons. A manslaughter conviction allows his release for time already served.

Seven whites and five blacks deliberated for nearly six hours before reaching an unanimous decision.

[amazona]

1. similar link from nola.com

http://www.nola.com/newsflash/louisiana/index.ssf?/base/news-13/1105834443265161.xml&storylist=louisiana


Interesting case for those who have followed the story of the famous Angola prison journalist. While I believe that killing someone in commission of a robbery is properly treated as murder, not manslaughter, if any man has worked to improve and change himself, Rideau has. So I won't commit further on the merits of his release.

The conservation movement is a breeding ground of communists
and other subversives. We intend to clean them out,
even if it means rounding up every birdwatcher in the country.
--John Mitchell, US Attorney General 1969-72

[AlCzervik]

2. Wow, i just saw the documentary about Angola like 2 weeks ago

and he was in it.

[tx_dem41]

3. I think Wilbert Rideau is a prime example that rehabilitation can happen..

...I think its past time that he were released.