From The Trussville Tribune staff reports
BIRMINGHAM — A statement released by the Birmingham City Council on Thursday advocates for the ‘compassionate release’ of former Birmingham mayor Larry Langford.
See related: Former Birmingham mayor Larry Langford hospitalized in critical condition, per family
Langford, 72, is serving a 15-year term in a federal prison in Kentucky. He is slated for release in 2023.
According to a press release issued by Langford’s family on Monday, Langford is in critical condition and will have great difficulty in finishing his prison sentence.
The statement from the Birmingham City Council cites those concerns as why Langford should be released.
“Birmingham City Councilors are respectfully requesting an immediate reduction in sentence and compassionate release of former Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford from federal custody and have released the following statement: Langford, who relies on oxygen and a wheelchair for mobility, is in critical condition,” the statement said. “He is a nonviolent offender who poses no danger to the community or flight risk. And although he has committed serious crimes that damaged public trust in government, he has already served more than half of his 15-year sentence.
“Langford has paid and continues to pay a hefty price for his actions. The people of Alabama and America will not soon forget what he has done. But holding him in custody while he suffers through his last days will do nothing to further the interest of justice. Releasing him will show not that our laws are weak, but that our conscience is strong.”