Dallas Morning News

January 19, 2005

Jailed 76-year-old gets medical reprieve

He's to be released after arrest on 1959 warrant; clemency petition pending

Author: DAVID TARRANT; Staff Writer

Suffering from diabetes, blindness and a heart condition, Robert Coney, who had spent most of the last 40 years in prison, just wanted to live what time he had left at home with his wife and family.

His freedom was short-lived. In December a warrant from 1959 sent the 76-year-old Dallas man back to jail.

But on Tuesday, Mr. Coney was granted a medical reprieve that will allow him to go home soon, said his attorney, David O'Neil.

Mr. Coney was arrested in December at his home near the Veterans Affairs Medical Center on a warrant for his 1959 escape from a Georgia prison, where he was serving an eight- to 10-year sentence for forging checks.

Georgia granted the reprieve while officials consider his petition for clemency on the old case, Mr. O'Neil said.

"I'm elated," Mr. Coney said during a brief interview at the Dallas County Jail. "It strengthens my confidence in God and the goodness of people."

But, he said, "I just hope they don't drag their feet."

Paperwork may delay his release a few weeks. Mr. Coney will remain under supervised restrictions, similar to those on parole.

Mr. Coney's case attracted attention after the T! exas Court of Criminal Appeals, acting on an East Texas judge's recommendation, set aside his life sentence for a 1962 robbery conviction.

A similar court order had been issued 30 years earlier vacating Mr. Coney's life sentence, but the order was never enforced and Mr. Coney wasn't aware of it at the time.

E-mail dtarrant@dallasnews.com