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After 50 years in prison, Arizona inmate gets clemency

Posted at 12:34 PM, Nov 28, 2019
and last updated 2019-11-29 03:25:34-05

PHOENIX (AP) - An Arizona inmate who has spent 50 years in prison is feeling especially thankful this holiday.

The Arizona Justice Project says Gov. Doug Ducey granted clemency Wednesday for Doyle Williams, reducing his sentence for murder from "indeterminate life" to 45 years to life.

He will remain imprisoned until a formal parole hearing.

Lindsay Herf, of the Justice Project, says the hearing will hopefully be scheduled sometime next month.

Doyle was convicted of murder in 1969.

His co-defendant, who pleaded guilty, was sentenced to 10 years but released after serving three.

The Justice Project says it has spent the last 20 years looking for evidence and records in Williams' case.

In July, the Arizona Board of Executive Clemency recommended Doyle for clemency because of his behavioral record and time already served.