There will be more publicity concerning this important ruling in the next few days, but this AP article will give you the particulars. The state of Louisiana may decide to re-try Albert Woodfox or he may be a free man in a matter of weeks. We will keep you posted as developments develop.
La. judge overturns ex-Black Panther’s conviction
By DOUG SIMPSON – 18 hours ago
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) – A federal judge on Tuesday overturned the conviction of a former Black Panther in the 1972 stabbing death of a Louisiana prison guard.
Albert Woodfox, who was held in solitary confinement for over 30 years, is one of three former Panthers known as the “Angola Three.” He and two other black prisoners at the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola were convicted in the killing of guard Brent Miller on April 17, 1972.
U.S. District Judge James Brady issued a ruling late Tuesday approving a federal magistrate’s June recommendation that Woodfox’s conviction be overturned because one of his former lawyers failed to object to a prosecutor’s testimony about a witness’ credibility. Brady also found that Woodfox’s trial lawyer failed to object to testimony from a witness who had died after the trial.
Woodfox’s decades in solitary confinement attracted worldwide attention from activists who called him a political prisoner.
Nick Trenticosta, the New Orleans-based defense lawyer who handled the appeal, said Woodfox’s immediate future lies in the hands of prosecutors, who could request a new trial. Trenticosta said he hoped Woodfox to be released without another trial.
“The man was convicted on false evidence, and he’s been held in solitary for almost 40 years. Let’s release him,” Trenticosta said.
A message left for prosecutors late Tuesday was not immediately returned.
Trenticosta said Woodfox had probably not yet heard about the ruling.
“I don’t believe he knows,” Trenticosta said. “But I’ll talk to him in the morning and he’ll probably find out about it in the newspaper.”
Woodfox and Herman Wallace were kept in solitary confinement from 1972 until March, when they were moved to a maximum-security dormitory with other prisoners. Woodfox was serving 50 years for armed robbery when the 1972 killing occurred.
Wallace has been appealing his conviction based on arguments similar to Woodfox’s.
The third member of the “Angola Three” spent 29 years in isolation before his conviction was overturned in 2001. Robert King, known as Robert King Wilkerson in the 1970s, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit murder and was freed.
Friends of Justice 
Too bad the death of Brent Miller can’t be overturned.
Yes, it is too bad that Brent Miller’s death cannot be overturned.
But wrongful convictions do not advance justice for departed victims.
Well Bob I guess you’re saying Brent Miller would want the wrong person convicted for killing him. It’s time for David Duke Land to enter the 21st Century and put to rest Louisiana’s international reputation as a corrupt, racist backwater.
After we get Woodfox and Wallace out Mumia Abu Jamal will be next then Leonard Peltier.
Bruce Allen
How is it that so many people can say these men are innocent when they don’t know both sides of the story.These men were habitual criminals before they killed Brent Miller .Before saying you will stand up and support something you need to have all of the facts.
Well Bruce , Before you can say these men are innocent I suggest you do your homework because I have . They were locked up all of those years for other crimes they commited before they killed CORRECTIONAL OFFICER BRENT MILLER. THEY WERE NOT CHOIR BOY’S BEFORE THIS HAPPENED.They started serving time for Killing the officer in 1997 or 1998. I think you should contact the A G’S OFFICE BEING HOW SMART YOU ARE AND DO SOME STUDING . DON’T TAKE SOMEONE ELSES WORD FOR IT . DON’T YOU THINK IT IS FUNNY THAT woodfox HAS BEEN THROUGH NOT ONE BUT 2 TRIAL’S IN 2 DIFFERENT CITIES AND BEEN CONVICTED BY 2 SET’S OF JURORS . I guess all of these people are wrong about all the evidence they heard ( FACTS ) NOT HEAR SAY. Sound’s like the backwater person to me is SOMEONE ELSE for not being smart enough to get the facts.They only tell you what they want you to know,
WHERE IS THE OTHER POST WANDA WROTE? TOO CHICKEN TO SHOW THE OTHER POST.SHE MAY SHOW YOU UP AND MAKE YOU LOOK LIKE THE DECITEFUL LIERS THAT YOU ARE.COME ON SHOW IT,BRING IT ON.WHAT IS HID IN THE DARK WILL BE BROUGHT TO THE LIGHT.THERE IS NOTHING YOU CAN DO IT IS ALL IN OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST HANDS AND HE SEE’S WHO YOU ARE.JESUS KNOWS THE TRUTH.