Board Recommends Freedom for Award-Winning Prison Journalist

The Louisiana Pardon Board on Wednesday recommended that Wilbert Rideau, a convicted murderer who became an award-winning journalist behind bars, be set free after 29 years in prison.

The final decision will be made by Gov. Buddy Roemer, who has cited the viciousness of Rideau’s crimes in refusing to commute his life sentence in the past. After Wednesday’s decision, Roemer said he had no plans to do so now.

“It’s difficult, I wish I had an easy answer. But my inclination is not to accept their recommendation,” the governor said.

The five-member board voted unanimously to reduce the 48-year-old prison magazine editor’s sentence to 55 years, which defense attorney Julian Murray said would qualify him for immediate release.

“This is the same recommendation this board made in 1988,” said board chairwoman Yvonne Campbell. “It was based on his prison record, his accomplishments, and he has only had one write-up in his 29 years in prison.”

Two board members also recommended that Rideau be required to leave the state permanently, contribute part of the earnings from his writing to a victims’ reparation fund and be ordered to perform some community service.

Rideau was sentenced to death for the 1961 murder of a bank teller in an armed robbery. His sentence was commuted to life in 1973 when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the death penalty.

Some argued against clemency.

Rick Bryant, an assistant prosecutor in Calcasieu Parish, called the premeditated robbery and murder one of the most heinous ever in the parish.

“I’ve spoken with people who are still terrified of Wilbert Rideau,” Bryant said. “We do believe Mr. Rideau has received his clemency. He’s not dead.”