Court temporarily blocks release of 'Angola 3' inmate Albert Woodfox

By Associated Press

This undated photo provided by the International Coalition to Free the Angola 3 shows Albert Woodfox. Prosecutors sought to keep Woodfox, the last of the “Angola Three,” behind bars Tuesday, June 9, 2015, despite a federal judge’s order to immediately release him after 43 years in isolation. | AP

ST. FRANCISVILLE, La. — A federal appeals court has temporarily blocked the release of Albert Woodfox, the last of the Louisiana inmates dubbed the Angola 3 by supporters protesting their long stints in solitary confinement.

Tuesday’s order came a day after a U.S. district judge said Woodfox should be released immediately — and that the state cannot try him again for the killing of a prison guard.

His two previous convictions were overturned. Woodfox has long maintained his innocence in that death in 1972, when inmates were protesting conditions inside the Louisiana State Penitentiary.

Louisiana Attorney General Buddy Caldwell is appealing the judge’s order, saying Woodfox is a killer who should remain locked up.

The appeals court order blocks the release of Woodfox until at least Friday.

CAIN BURDEAU, Associated Press

BRIAN SLODYSKO, Associated Press

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