ST. FRANCISVILLE, La. — After spending more than 40 years in solitary confinement, the last inmate infamously considered one of the “Angola Three” was released Friday from a Louisiana penitentiary. Albert Woodfox walked out a free man on his 69th birthday and thanked all of his supporters.
Woodfox, who had ties to the Black Panthers, pleaded no contest to manslaughter in the 1972 death of Brent Miller, a prison guard. He and two others were kept in solitary because prison officials said their activist ties would “rile up” other inmates.
Woodfox continued to maintain his innocence. Earlier convictions were thrown out by federal courts for reasons including racial bias in selecting a grand jury foreman, according to the Associated Press.
Woodfox said his immediate plans were to visit the gravesite of his mother, who died while he was behind bars. He was never allowed to go to her funeral.
The AP reports that Woodfox was serving time for armed robbery and assault when the guard was stabbed to death with a lawnmower blade and a knife. Miller said he did not take part in the guard’s attack.
“When forces are beyond your control, there’s not a lot you can do. Angola was a very horrible place at the time and everybody was just fighting to survive from day to day,” he explained.
The other inmates accused with him were Hermann Wallace and Robert King. Wallace died after being released from prison in 2013, and King was released in 2001.
In a press release earlier Friday, Woodfox thanked his brother and other supporters who have lobbied over the years for his release.
“Although I was looking forward to proving my innocence at a new trial, concerns about my health and my age have caused me to resolve this case now and obtain my release with this no contest plea to lesser charges. I hope the events of today will bring closure to many,” he said.
