Man who spent 15 years on Alabama's death row being set free.

5years ago

Ozark news, Alabama news.

According to media reports, 43-year-old Emanuel Aaron Gissendanner is released after pleading guilty on Monday to the murder of 77-year-old Margaret Snellgrove in 2001. He spent 15 years on death row in Alabama.

Gissendanner was originally convicted of murder and sentenced to death in 2004. A court ordered a new trial because of errors committed by the defense.

The state allowed Gissendanner to plead guilty to a reduced charge of murder rather than to another trial.

Defense lawyer Becca Wahlquist said a new trial might have justified Gissendanner. Nothing justified him spending more time in prison.