text: A man who spent 15 years on death row in Alabama has been freed after his conviction was quashed and he struck a bargain with prosecutors. William Ziegler, now 39, was initially convicted of capital murder in 2001 for killing Russell Allen Baker, an acquaintance of his who was found dead next to his house in Mobile the previous year. However in 2012 his conviction was overturned by Judge Sarah Stewart who blasted his initial trial, pointing out that his lawyers were substandard, a key witness later recounted her testimony, and that a juror lied about his views on the death penalty during selection. William Ziegler, now 39, was jailed in 2001 (pictured) for the killing of Russell Allen Baker, an acquaintance of his who was found dead next to his house in Mobile the previous year . Ziegler  (cetnre, with his mother, second left) had his conviction for capital murder quashed in 2012 after a judge blasted his initial trial, allowing him to cut a plea deal  which saw him walk free today . Today he is a free man again after he agreed to plead guilty to aiding and abetting murder, with the judge sentencing him to the 15 years and 50 days he has already served, Al.com reported. The ruling, which has been hailed by Mr Ziegler's family, marks the second time in recent weeks that a death row prisoner has walked free. On April 3 Anthony Ray Hinton was released after spending 30 years in jail for a 1985 shooting in which two fast food managers were shot dead. His conviction was overturned after tests on the gun allegedly used in the shooting couldn't prove that it was fired during the killings. In Ziegler's case, he was arrested after the body of Baker was found in a wooded area close to his house in 2000. Witnesses reported seeing Baker arguing with Ziegler at a party that evening, eventually leading to Ziegler's conviction, along with two other accomplices. However, that witness, whose evidence was kept secret by prosecutors at Ziegler's initial trial, later recanted her testimony, one of the factors leading to the conviction being overturned. In November last year, state prosecutors had raised the prospect of a retrial for Ziegler, meaning he could have faced going back to death row if convicted for a second time. At his hearing today, Judge Sarah Stewart warned Ziegler against becoming bitter, adding that 'the world is a very different place than it was 15 years ago when you went to jail' Ziegler's release comes after Anthony Ray Hinton (pictured) was freed from death row two weeks ago after serving 30 years for a double murder he did not commit . Ziegler was determined to prove his innocence, according to his defence lawyers, but was reluctantly persuaded to accept a plea bargain for the chance to leave jail and escape another trial. During the hearing, Judge Stewart urged Ziegler to resist turning bitter and said she knew he recognized God's grace. 'I want you to appreciate that gift,' she said. 'You need to be very careful with your gift. ... The world is a very different place than it was 15 years ago when you went to jail.' With his plea, Ziegler acknowledged that his conduct helped lead to Baker's death. Relatives of both Ziegler and Baker, from Bayou La Batre, came away from the hearing disappointed. O'Della Wilson, the defendant's mother, said she is happy that he will go free but angry that he had to plead guilty to any crime. 'He had no choice but to go ahead and plead to a murder he did not commit. ... Judge Stewart's the only one who has given us any justice,' she said. Baker's relatives weren't happy Ziegler would be released. 'He's a menace to our society. He will be back,' said Beth Johansen, the victim's aunt. 'This is not justice for our nephew.'
target: William Ziegler convicted of capital murder  for 2001 killing of Russell Baker .
  Was sentenced to death, but had sentence quashed on appeal in 2012 .
  Today pleaded guilty to aiding an abetting murder, and was sentenced to the 15 years he has already served, allowing him to walk free .
  Judge Sarah Stewart said warned him against being bitter at hearing .
  Also cautioned him that world is 'very different' compared to 15 years ago .