Panel Votes To Release Man Convicted Of Killing Officer
Parole Board Unanimously Approves Probation For 50-Year-Old
POSTED: 1:02 pm EST November 5,
2003
UPDATED: 7:12 pm EST November 5,
2003
INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indiana Parole Board voted 4-0 Wednesday in favor of probation for a man convicted of killing a police officer in 1974.
Norman Woodford (pictured, left) spent nearly 30 years in prison in connection with the shooting death of Indianapolis police Officer Ronald Manley (pictured, below) during a drugstore robbery.
Parole board officials said Woodford, 50, will be released in 40 days and will be on probation for five years, during which time he must undergo mental health, alcohol and drug abuse counseling. The board talked Wednesday by teleconference with Woodford, who is being held at the Indiana State Prison in Michigan City.The board decided in July to release Woodford, but a judge later blocked that ruling, saying the board failed to follow legal procedures. Woodford was given a life sentence in 1976 after he pleaded guilty to murder. He became eligible for release after serving 20 years, and his bids for parole were denied in 1995 and 1998. Woodford admitted his role in the robbery but denied pulling the trigger, saying his accomplice, Robbie Allen Woods, shot Manley. Woods also was killed during the holdup.But former prosecutors insist that Woodford was the shooter and that a witness told police that Woodford shot Manley.
Manley's daughter, Robin Manuel, told TheIndyChannel.com that she wasn't surprised by the board's decision. She, along with her mother and sister, testified at the hearing Monday."I truly believe they had their minds made up before we saw them Monday," Manuel said.Manuel said there is not much the family can do to block Woodford's release. She said the family's efforts to build evidence in the case was never considered by the parole board because the case never went to trial."All they're looking at is his history as a model prisoner. Now that we know the facts, they don't care to listen," Manuel said. "It's a sad day for our police officers or any of our public servants. Not just because he was my father, but because he was an officer trying to protect innocent people."The family sought a no-contact order against Woodford following the board's decision.Woodford is expected to move to Arkansas to live with family.
Norman Woodford (pictured, left) spent nearly 30 years in prison in connection with the shooting death of Indianapolis police Officer Ronald Manley (pictured, below) during a drugstore robbery.|
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Manley's daughter, Robin Manuel, told TheIndyChannel.com that she wasn't surprised by the board's decision. She, along with her mother and sister, testified at the hearing Monday."I truly believe they had their minds made up before we saw them Monday," Manuel said.Manuel said there is not much the family can do to block Woodford's release. She said the family's efforts to build evidence in the case was never considered by the parole board because the case never went to trial."All they're looking at is his history as a model prisoner. Now that we know the facts, they don't care to listen," Manuel said. "It's a sad day for our police officers or any of our public servants. Not just because he was my father, but because he was an officer trying to protect innocent people."The family sought a no-contact order against Woodford following the board's decision.Woodford is expected to move to Arkansas to live with family. Previous Stories:
- August 13, 2003: Officer's Widow Speaks Out About Man's Parole
- August 11, 2003: Parole Decision Overturned For Man Convicted Of Killing Cop
- August 4, 2003: Officer's Widow Sues Parole Board
- July 3, 2003: Man Convicted In Officer's 1974 Slaying To Be Freed
- February 5, 2003: Man Sentenced To Life In Cop's Death Tries For Release
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Copyright 2004 by TheIndyChannel.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
