Out of prison, dad of ’63 bombing victim at home

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — The father of one of four black girls killed in a 1963 racist church bombing in Birmingham is home from prison after being granted an early release.

A defense lawyer for Chris McNair says the 87-year-old Alabama man has been reunited with his wife and daughters.

Attorney Doug Jones describes McNair as being upbeat and happy to be home in Alabama. Jones says McNair will likely attend some of the observances next month for the 50th anniversary of the bombings.

A federal judge approved the Obama administration’s request to release McNair from a prisonmedical center in Minnesota where he was serving time for federal bribery convictions.

The Justice Department sought McNair’s freedom based on his age and declining health.