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Show Death of Alcatraz 'Birdman' Ends 54 Years Confinement a hearing on a petition for presidential presi-dential parden . His death was discovered during the 5:45 a.m., bedcheck at the center, cen-ter, where Stroud had been confined con-fined for more than four jears. Prison officials said death was due to natural causes. Forty-three years of the 54 spent in prison were in solitary confinement. SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) The "Birdman of Alcatraz" is dead. Robert L. Stroud, 73, who won that title for his research on birds during part of his 54 years behind prison bars for murder, died in the U. S. medical center here during dur-ing the night. The stooped, hawk-nosed man with a shaved head never gave up hope that he woud be freed. Only two weeks ago ha sought |