Months after a judge tossed out his 1998 murder conviction, Jimmie Duncan is free on bail. But prosecutors have asked the Louisiana Supreme Court to reinstate the death penalty for Duncan, even as the victim’s mother has come to support his release.

Jimmie “Chris” Duncan walked out of the Ouachita Parish Correctional Center and into the arms of his parents last week after spending the last 27 years on death row.

Seven months ago, a Louisiana district court judge vacated his murder conviction for killing his former girlfriend’s toddler, citing doubts about the evidence used to convict him. The judge granted bail after multiple legal delays, including an unsuccessful request by prosecutors to the Louisiana Supreme Court to stop his release. Now free, Duncan spent Thanksgiving with his family — then celebrated his 57th birthday the next day.

But Duncan’s journey to freedom is far from over. Prosecutors have asked the state Supreme Court to reinstate his death sentence. Duncan’s attorneys declined to make him immediately available for an interview.

  • BarneyPiccolo@lemmy.today
    1·
    7 hours ago

    They’re executing them at an accelerated rate these days, especially in Florida. DiSantis’ term is up in 2026, and he wants to have all the fun, and leave his successor with nobody left to kill, or release.

    I also think MAGA govs might be worried that when the Dems take over in 2026 and 2028, they’ll do a Federal ban on Capital Punishment, so they got to get all these guys killed ahead of that.