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8 from Triad included among soon-to-be-freed inmates

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Monday, October 26, 2009

By
Associated Press

Here are the men convicted in the Triad who are among 20 North Carolina prison inmates who could be freed later in October.

Inmates are listed by the county where they were convicted. Once released, inmates do not necessarily return to that county. Click on their names to see their pages on the N.C. Department of Correction Web site.

Seven of these inmates were identifed as being part of the State v. Bowden case in mid-October. An eighth inmate, Tommy L. Yancey, was added to the list Oct. 23.

A total of 27 inmates serving life sentences may be released from prison in the wake of court rulings on a 1970s law that limited the length of life sentences from that era.

Inmates convicted in Guilford County:

Name: Charles E. Lynch
Age: 57
Admission date: April 12, 1979
Conviction: Second-degree burglary (two counts) and assault with intent to commit rape
County of release: Catawba
Eligible for parole since: Jan. 28, 1989
His crime: Lynch broke into the victim’s home while she was away, waited for her to arrive and assaulted her. He also broke into another victim’s home and stole a necklace. He was suspected in nine other assaults.

Name: John W. Martin
Age: 56
Admission date: Sept. 8, 1977
Conviction: Second-degree rape
County of release: Guilford
Eligible for parole since: Aug. 1, 1988
His crime: He raped a woman on March 31, 1977. He will be required to register as a sex offender.

Name: Cecil W. Morrison
Age: 49
Admission date: Aug. 31, 1977
Conviction: Second-degree rape
County of release: Guilford
Eligible for parole since: Nov. 12, 1987
His crime: Morrison abducted his victim, a minor girl younger than 12, while she walked home from school, forced her into a wooded area and raped her at knifepoint. He will be required to register as a sex offender.

Inmates convicted in Forsyth County:

Name: John H. Alford
Age: 61
Admission date: April 27, 1978
Conviction: First-degree rape
County of release: Forsyth
Eligible for parole since: Oct. 12, 2007
His crime: He raped a woman during a robbery on Jan. 28, 1978, in Winston-Salem. He will be required to register as a sex offender.

Name: John M. Montgomery
Age: 58
Admission date: April 17, 1973
Conviction: First-degree rape
Eligible for parole since: Jan. 3, 1986
His crime: Montgomery raped a 15-year old girl after escaping from the Guilford Correctional Center. He was serving a two-year sentence for felony breaking and entering and larceny at the time of his escape. He will be required to register as a sex offender.

Name: Manley Porter
Age: 61
Admission date: May 11, 1976
Convictions: First-degree rape, armed robbery
County of release: Forsyth
Eligible for parole since: Nov. 5, 1987
His crime: He raped a woman during a robbery on Sept. 1, 1976, in Winston-Salem. He will be required to register as a sex offender.

Inmate convicted in Montgomery County:

Name: James C. Johnson
Age: 68
Admission date: March 10, 1978
Conviction: First-degree murder
County of release: Randolph
Eligible for parole since: Jan. 15, 1986
His crime: Johnson murdered John Farley Hall near Troy on Feb. 19, 1975. He is a former death row inmate.

Inmate convicted in Alamance County:

Name: Tommy L. Yancey
Age: 55
Admission date: Feb. 25, 1977
Conviction: Second degree rape
County of release: Randolph
Eligible for parole since: May 4, 1996
His crime: Yancey broke into a home and raped a woman. He also was convicted on a breaking and entering charge. He must register as a sex offender.

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Dogwood

October 16, 2009 - 1:16 pm EDT

It is not the courts obligation to figure out how these gentlemen will survive in society. Where will they live, who will feed them and other flowery questions are unanswered.

bigwill

October 16, 2009 - 1:20 pm EDT

OK, I am a little confused here. Supposedley the law stated a life sentence only equals 80 years. Can someone please explain to me how if these people were in prison in the 70's, how that is anywhere close to being 80 years in 2009? What psycho math wiz is in charge that came up with that calculation? Don't you just love our judicial system?

minkheel

October 16, 2009 - 6:10 pm EDT

In 1981, the state's sentencing laws were revised, applying a retroactive reduction. Under the changes, sentences levied before 1981 were essentially cut in half. So terms were reduced to 40 years for dozens of inmates sentenced to life for crimes committed in the 1970s. Since 1994, when North Carolina eliminated parole, a life sentence in North Carolina means the convict will die behind bars. But only first-degree murder can carry a life sentence.

Dogwood

October 17, 2009 - 5:24 pm EDT

I remember the state was in a recession in 1981. The General Assembly was trying to balance the budget and passed the statutes. The courts do not originate law. The legislature was unwise. The governor did not have veto power at the time. Vote wisely my brothers and sisters. The "Assembly" has no housing, mental health, parole system that works properly. Best wishes to the homeless ex-convicts. For every one job opening there are over six applying (non-criminal record). If I were 40 years locked up with health care, housing and three meals a day I'd look out for what is ahead..hunger cold and much much worse.
2009 the state is in a severe recession

Tarheelpatriot

October 16, 2009 - 1:37 pm EDT

Great NC! Show you don't give a damn for women and sex crimes!!!

opec

October 16, 2009 - 1:38 pm EDT

Register as a sex offender? That is about as good as a 50B order. I find it very disgusting that law enforcement goes out, puts their lives on the line, sometimes losing their lives; for what? So the so called justice system and bleeding hearts can make the perpetrator the victim? The government screams about gun control for their own protection, not that of the citizen. It's this very reason that gun sales are increasing. I have the utmost respect for law enforcement but, they can't be everywhere, every time. I think the government and the justice system (not including the guys and gals on the streets doing the work) should either put up, or shut up. Do something about crime, and quit bullying the law biding citizen.

tarheel19906

October 16, 2009 - 2:52 pm EDT

I cant believe this is going to happen. In my opinion this is a slap in the face and shows the disrespect the courts have for the women and children who was assaulted. The victims will probally be taunted by their actions for the rest of their lives. I dont believe a sex offender can be cured so do they think making them register will make them any less dangerous? I just hope the sorry scum listed doesnt move into my neighborhood, as Im SURE you would get your feelings hurt. I also feel if you commit such a crime that you get life, you should be in prison til you die.

bettejayne

October 16, 2009 - 3:33 pm EDT

The wild card here is the Dept of Correction and their fuzzy reasons to let inmates out early. Gain time, good time, all kinds of B.S. The prisoner should be in prison for the length of the sentence given to him by the judge. Being good in prison (LOL) is not a reason to override the judges sentence. In Federal Court a sentence imposed by the judge is what the prisoner serves.

minkheel

October 16, 2009 - 6:11 pm EDT

All 3 judges on the Court of Appeals who heard this case are rather conservative Republicans who are "tough on crime." However, judges are required to follow the law. The statutes at issue here were pretty darn clear. This was not a close call from a legal perspective (yes, I am a lawyer). If it had been a close call, the NC Supreme Court would have reviewed it -- which it didn't. (The NC Supreme Court has 7 members, 4 of whom are Republicans). So, LEGALLY, these people have served their time -- and it was not just a few years, but nearly 40 years (a heck of a long time). These people did not "beat the system" or "outsmart" the system. They served the amount of time the LAW said they were required to serve as punishment for their crimes. Rapists and killers are released from prision every day because they have served their time. It would be illegal (and unconstitutional) to do otherwise.

Get Real

October 17, 2009 - 1:15 pm EDT

well said.

NobodyReally

October 16, 2009 - 6:19 pm EDT

WHAT in the world is the corrections system thinking?? These folks have been eligible for parole since the 1980's and have not been released. Is this an indication the parole board does not know how to do their job? I doubt it. And one person was sentenced to death for their crime, yet will be released. This is ridiculous!

kikablue

October 16, 2009 - 6:28 pm EDT

Well minkheel at least the criminals know now whom to run to when they commit another crime, rape another child or murder another person.

minkheel

October 16, 2009 - 10:44 pm EDT

If they commit a crime they should go to jail for the length of time they are sentenced by a court - but no longer. That is how the system works. I did not say that what they did was right, simply that they have, in the eyes of the law -- if not in the eyes of ignorant message board posters -- served their time.

kurts12gauge

October 16, 2009 - 8:00 pm EDT

5 of the 7 are African American. I suppose this may be the hope and change blacks were hoping for

Kesh

October 19, 2009 - 3:22 pm EDT

What does the fact that 5 out of the 7 are African-American have to do with tea in china. The hope and change we are looking for is that people like you can one day look beyond color. These people commited crimes against other human beings and they all deserve to be in prison no matter their skin color.

judgeandjury

October 17, 2009 - 12:47 pm EDT

I have read most of the comments posted on here but the one that enrages me the most is the one posted by the idiot "minkheel" about how stupid message board posters in a sense shouldn't complain because according to the "law" these criminals have served their time. Well let me give it to you from a victims point of view!!!! Yes I was a victim of one of these psycho's and no one can tell me that this is "ok" because it's the law. Now because of this rediculous decision made by so called "protectors of society" I have to live in fear every day that I or someone I love my be victimized again, and until you all have walked a day in mine or my families shoes you can never understand how we truly feel or are affected by this stupid decission. I just hope that you or someone you love ("minkheel") ever has to experience what I have!!! At the very least you as well as every one in the community should be outraged and should be knocking on the doors of these "idiot" law makers that had no regard for the vitims when they made this ruling! But maybe you're a criminal yourself and thats why you feel the way you do, other wise how could anyone not be outraged that sex offenders will be walking the streets........your streets in your neighborhood. Oh but rest assured they will have to be registered right? However, like the other messanger commented that doesn't ensure that anyone will know where they are at every min of the day! Maybe stalking your innocent child!!!!! Then I wonder how you would feel? I have to agree with one of the comments about hand gun purchases increasing because I for one will defend myself since the government has faild to do that for me!!!!!! I wont hesitate to be judge and jury the next time!!!!!!!! Kudos to the man that resently shot and killed the intruder in his home!!!!!!!

ESLLEL

October 19, 2009 - 3:18 pm EDT

Well said judgeandjury .... no one can feel your pain but you. I am sorry you have to go thrugh this. Stay strong and yes defend yourself . Oh congrats to the man who shot the intruder too..."it is what it is" ...shouldn't have been there in the first place ...now that's what I call STUPID ...

hysteriabuster

October 19, 2009 - 5:43 pm EDT

Where is this same outrage toward drug pushers? They are not required to register, to have their pictures on internet, restricted where they can work, live, or worship. Yet, the injury they inflict can negate a life. There isn't a sex offender on each street corner, but odds are there is a drug pusher who has no qualms about getting a kid addicted. Where is the outrage?

fondafun

October 20, 2009 - 7:34 pm EDT

What's wrong with castration for these nuts? That or a lobotomy would set many a mind at rest when they are released from prison. Works for me :)

judgeandjury

October 20, 2009 - 9:23 pm EDT

I feel the same about any criminal that is convicted and sentenced for their crime, however I haven't been victimized by a drug dealer but I would have to say is that drug dealers are obvious with what they do but sex offenders stalk and attack the unssuspecting innocent......even children and the out rage here is clearly over the fact that the court system has failed!!!!!!! These men haven't served the time that was given to them! But what you're missing "hysteriabuster" is that what the drug dealers are doing, in my opinion doesn't compare to being attacked and held at gun or knife point and having your life threathened and not knowing if you will live or die is something no one should have to go through not to mention having to fear for your life all over again because some idiots that were elected to serve the public screwed up!!!!!! So please think about how you would feel if it was you or your loved one! As far as cutting of their "nuts" I will gladly do it free of charge!!!!!