by TChris

A man who may not live another year, and who clearly poses no continuing threat to society (if he ever did), hopes to be released from prison after almost 30 years. Maurice Carter has always maintained that he didn't commit the crime (shooting a Michigan police officer who survived five bullets) that resulted in his life sentence.

An all-white jury in 1976 sentenced Carter to life in prison for shooting the police officer, even though two key black witnesses insisted Carter was not the gunman.

One witness recanted at the trial, saying he identified Carter to save himself from a drug conviction. The other witness, the store clerk at the shop who waited on the gunman for 10 minutes, also testified that Carter was not the gunman.

Gov. Jennifer Granholm granted Carter a medical commutation of his sentence, giving him a chance to receive a liver transplant that he probably wouldn't have had while in prison. Carter's release may be delayed, however, if the officer's family members continue to object.

Whether or not Carter is innocent, it makes no sense to force the elderly or infirm to die behind bars. They pose no threat to society, and the opportunity to die with dignity should outweigh society's desire for retribution.