Barry Beach freed from prison

DEER LODG (AP) — The latest in the clemency request from a Montana man convicted in a 1979 murder he has long denied (all times local):

Barry Beach has walked out of the Montana State Prison after serving three decades behind bars for a 1979 killing that he long denied.

Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock signed a clemency order allowing his release Friday.

Flanked by supporters, the 53-year-old Beach told reporters he expected "a lot of healing and a lot of tears" during the four-hour drive back to his Billings home.

Beach described the moment of his release as "surreal" and said he didn't know it was coming until his lawyer, Peter Camiel, showed up at the prison Friday morning.

Bullock commuted Beach's 100-year-sentence to time served with 10 years suspended. Beach will remain on probation for 10 years. He was convicted in the killing of a high school classmate but maintained his confession was coerced.

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