A former Sampson County resident, convicted of murder, is one of 20 inmates North Carolina prison officials have cited for good behavior credits that are enabling them to be freed some time before Oct. 31.

They have been labeled as 20 of the state’s violent offenders and Gov. Beverly Perdue is working to fight their release.

William Dean Baggett, 60, who was convicted in Sampson County of first degree murder in February 1976, has spent the past 32 years in prison serving a life sentence. If state legislators have their way, he and the 19 others will be released in the very near future.

The North Carolina Supreme Court ruled earlier this month in favor of prisoner Bobby Bowden, who argued a state law from the 1970s defined a life sentence as 80 years. Time-off credits allowed those like Bowden to get a day-for-a-day for good behavior, and 20 inmates qualified for release.

However, on Thursday, Perdue said that she will challenge the quarter-century-old policy on prison good conduct credits, saying she would not free a group of violent inmates who were sentenced to life in prison.

The governor’s office claims that inmates sentenced before the state’s Fair Sentencing Act went into effect in 1981 should not have qualified for the good conduct credits offered under that law.

“I wholeheartedly support Gov. Perdue and her efforts to keep them in prison,” said Sampson County District Attorney Dewey Hudson Friday. “I support her and all the efforts to keep them in.”

Baggett was convicted of murdering James Williams on Oct. 24, 1976, at a Sampson County nightclub after an argument broke out between the two men. Baggett subsequently pulled out a gun and shot Williams twice — in the front and in the back — killing him.

Curiously, Baggett had just been released from prison after serving less than 10 years on a second degree murder charge for killing another man on July 27, 1968 in Cumberland County.

“Baggett is a dangerous man,” said Hudson. “He killed two people. He was eligible for parole in 1997, but he didn’t get it. Another 12 years has passed by. He didn’t get released because he is really dangerous.”

Hudson said most people serving time for first-degree murder are eligible for parole after 20 years. “His came and went because he is a dangerous psychopath, in my opinion,” Hudson stressed. “ I have talked with prison officials and what they tell me is that if Baggett is released, he will kill again, that is why I am in absolute favor of Gov. Perdue working to keep them in prison.”

According to the N.C. Department of Corrections, Baggett has 20 prison infractions dating back to 1978. Those infractions include five fighting infractions; two provoking assault infractions; theft of property; property tampering; and a sexual act, among others.

“I am adamantly opposed to his release,” said Hudson. “Are all those infractions good behavior? He has a whole list of them ... he needs to stay where he is.”

Hudson said he hopes the efforts of the governor and others allows the prisoners to stay put.

“I know there is an issue with overcrowded prisons, but these people are dangerous, and from the people who have heard of this guy (Baggett), they tell me he will kill again. It is just amazing that he could be released by the end of next week — I am hoping the governor is successful.”

Perdue’s administration plans to deny the prisoners the credits, preventing their release until the issue is resolved in the courts.

To reach Doug Clark call 910-592-8137 ext. 123 or send e-mail to sisports@myclintonnc.com.