RALEIGH — A Bladen County man who was originally sentenced to life in prison 31 years ago may be released by the end of this month due to a N.C. Supreme Court ruling in the State v. Bowden case.

James Pone, 48, of Elizabethtown was convicted in April 1978 and sentenced to life in prison for murdering taxi cab driver Neal Purdie.

According to reports, the body of Purdie was found about 30 feet from his car behind McMillan Beauty Salon off N.C. 242 across from Baldwin Branch Church. According to reports, Purdie had died from a gunshot to his upper right side abdomen and from a massive gash across the top of his head.

Pone, who was 17 at the time of his arrest, was charged with first-degree murder.

The N.C. Supreme Court’s decision in the Bowden case forces the state to release 20 violent offenders who were originally sentenced to life in prison and seven offenders who were originally sentenced to death, according to Gov. Beverly Perdue’s office.

Perdue’s office received a list of 20 violent offenders who will be released by Oct. 29 and dozens more who will be released in the next few years because of the court’s decision. She has asked the N.C. Department of Justice to review all options available to the state to reverse and delay the N.C. Supreme Court ruling.

“I’m appalled the state of North Carolina is being forced to release prisoners who have committed the most heinous of crimes, without any review of their cases,” said Perdue. “I don’t believe the General Assembly’s intent in 1974 was to let these violent offenders out of prison early. Releasing these potentially dangerous criminals is not in the best interest of the state or our citizens.”

The N.C. Department of Corrections records show Pone as currently being housed in New Hanover County. According to NCDOC records, since his incarceration in 1978, Pone has been charged with about 13 infractions including, fighting, gambling, disobeying an order, interfering with staff, theft of property, using profane language and possession of audio/video/image device.

According to the governor’s office, the Department of Corrections is attempting to notify all known victims of these crimes and is working with district attorneys and victims advocates to locate victims for whom it doesn’t have current contact information. Victims who have not been contacted are asked to call the DOC Office of Victim Services at 866-719-0108.