Attorney A.M. "Marty" Stroud III, of Shreveport, Louisiana was the lead prosecutor in the December 1984 first-degree murder trial of Glenn Ford, who was sentenced to death for the death of a Shreveport jeweler. Ford was released from prison March 11, 2014, after the state admitted new evidence proving Ford was not the killer. A year later (March 2015), Stroud wrote a brutally honest apology for The Shreveport Times.

In 1984, I was 33 years old. I was arrogant, judgmental, narcissistic and very full of myself. I was not as interested in justice as I was in winning. To borrow a phrase from Al Pacino in the movie "And Justice for All," "Winning became everything." … [As a result], Mr. Ford spent 30 years of his life in a small, dingy cell …. Lighting was poor, heating and cooling were almost non-existent, food bordered on the uneatable

After the death verdict [was handed down], I went out with others and celebrated with a few rounds of drinks. That's sick. I had been entrusted with the duty to seek the death of a fellow human being, a very solemn task that certainly did not warrant any "celebration."

In my rebuttal argument during the penalty phase of the trial, I mocked Mr. Ford, stating that this man wanted to stay alive so he could be given the opportunity to prove his innocence. … How totally wrong I was. … I apologize to Glenn Ford for all the misery I have caused him and his family. I apologize to the [victim's family] for giving them the false hope of some closure. I apologize to the members of the jury for not having all of the story that should have been disclosed to them. I apologize to the court in not having been more diligent in my duty …

Possible Preaching Angles: This is a great example of confession, confessing sin, repentance, and so forth. Stroud's admission of wrongdoing is so clear and honest. He makes no excuses for his behavior and fully understands the consequences of his sin.