Robert Howard v. Kathleen Blanco

E. GRADY JOLLY, Circuit Judge:

Robert Howard (“Howard”) is currently serving life sentences in Louisiana. He has repeatedly sought to have his sentences commuted in order to become eligible for parole, commutation being the first step in becoming eligible for consideration for parole. After he was first convicted, Louisiana altered its commutation process. This appeal addresses Howard’s complaint that the application of the new process to him violates the ex post facto provisions of the United States and Louisiana Constitutions in two ways: (1) by vesting the Board with new authority, in…