MARION — Former Alabama State Trooper James Fowler, who pled guilty in November to the 1965 shooting of Jimmie Lee Jackson at a civil rights demonstration in Perry County, is again asking his six-month second-degree manslaughter sentence be cut short.

Citing poor health and the need to receive medical attention for his diabetes and arthritis, Fowler has requested being released early to receive needed medical attention.

“We have filed paperwork strongly opposing his early release,” Fourth Judicial Circuit Michael Jackson said Monday. “At no time has he been denied access to medical attention and, in fact, he has seen medical officials during his stay in Geneva.”

Fowler is currently serving his sentence at the Geneva County Jail in Geneva. His sentence is due to expire in May.

It was announced Monday Circuit Judge Tommy Jones has set a hearing to consider the early release for April 14 to be heard in Marion.

According to an Associated Press report, a letter from Fowler’s doctor says he is incapacitated by diabetes and arthritis.”

“He is a sick man,” Jackson said. “But it would be an outrage to release him early. Not just because he plead guilty or the importance of this case in history, but it would be an outrage to Jimmie Lee Jackson’s family.”

Prior to the start of the six-month sentence, Fowler had requested to not serve any time in jail as he was former law enforcement and feared for his safety in jail. Fowler is currently being housed at the Geneva County Jail.