MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Attorney General Troy King will go before the state Board of Pardons and Parole to protest the possible early release of a man who murdered his wife in Houston County nearly 30 years ago.

The inmate, Clarence Roberts, was convicted of killing Violet Roberts in January 1979. King said the victim died of multiple stab wounds and her skull was shattered by a blunt instrument or a hatchet.

Roberts was sentenced to life in prison, but King said he served only 10 years because he escaped from prison in 1985 and remained free for nearly 20 years. He was recaptured in 2005.

The state parole board will discuss Robert’s petition at 9 a-m Monday.