63-Year Old Black Man Serving Life Sentence For Stealing Hedge Clippers Released From Prison

Caddo Parish, LA — Fair Wayne Bryant, an African American man whose appeal was initially denied by the Supreme Court, is finally free after being granted parole. In 1997, he was sentenced to life in prison for stealing hedge clippers, having served over 23 years.

Bryant, who is now 63-years old, was given a life sentence after being convicted of one count of attempted single burglary. Even though that crime itself does not warrant a life sentence, he had four previous felony convictions — attempted armed robbery, possession of stolen goods, attempted forgery of a check, and simple burglary.

Under Louisiana’s habitual offender law, he was sentenced to life in prison. The ruling was recently upheld in the Louisiana Supreme Court in a 5-1 decision. Most recently, a parole board in Louisiana granted parole for Bryant.

Moreover, the Louisiana chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, who had helped Bryant with his case, also celebrated his release.

“While nothing can make up for the years Mr. Bryant lost to this extreme and unjust sentence, today’s decision by the parole board is a long-overdue victory for Mr. Bryant, his family, and the cause of equal justice for all,” Alanah Odoms, ACLU of Louisiana executive director, said in a statement.