July 19, 2007, 5:09PM
Mistake lets gunman out of prison 36 years early

By BRIAN ROGERS
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle

When Willie Joe McAdams was sentenced in 2004 to 40 years in prison for shooting Cedric Thomas in the head, Thomas thought it was a just punishment. While enjoying himself at a bar during the Fourth of July weekend, Thomas was shocked when McAdams approached him, shook his hand and apologized.

"What if he still had malice in his heart and wanted to kill me," said Thomas, who lost an eye in the March 2003 sports bar shooting.

McAdams was released from prison 36 years early after serving four years of his 40 year sentence because of a "clerical error," according to Michelle Lyons, a Texas Department of Criminal Justice spokeswoman. McAdams was released May 4.

Lyons said that the mistake was "human error" when keying in McAdams personal information and punishment time during intake in 2004.

Lyons said a warrant has been issued for McAdams' arrest and she expects him to be put back in prison to serve the rest of his time. He will be eligible for parole in 16 years.

Although he was surprised at seeing McAdams, earlier this month Thomas had heard rumors that McAdams was out, in early May, his friend Clarence Walker said.

Walker, a former reporter for America's Most Wanted magazine, said Thomas called him about three months ago and asked him to check on the rumors. At that time, nothing came of the search and Thomas' concerns were discounted.

After McAdams approached Thomas and shook his hand, Walker contacted Harris County District Attorney investigator Johnny Bonds, who figured out what happened.

Bonds searched the records to find that the "somebody at TDCJ wrote 4 instead of 40."

"He's not even on parole," Bonds said. He said TDCJ discharged his sentence as completed.

"Somebody dropped the ball, that's for sure," Bonds said.

He said authorities are now trying to track McAdams down to put him back in prison.

McAdams could not be reached for comment today.

TDCJ Inspector General John Moriarty said his office � the equivalent of an internal affairs division � is investigating how McAdams was released. He said the first order of business is finding McAdams and putting him back in jail. He said several officers are looking for him today.

"McAdams could not be reached for comment today."

Really? How surprising. I thought he'd be eager to talk to the media.