Minimum Mandatory Sentencing

[dellinger63]

Interesting though fallacious article posted in the NY Times today.

In May of 2002, a 23-year-old man named Michael Brandon Shuler was sentenced in federal court to 15 years in prison for illegally possessing a gun — something that even the prosecutor acknowledged was a “rather benign act.”

Sounds horribly cruel until I looked up the case 01-CR-10080 and found he was not sentenced for possessing a gun but rather unlawful transport of firearms and furthermore he entered a guilty plea.

In Texas in 2006, DeJarion Echols, a young black college student with no prior convictions, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison: 10 years thanks to a mandatory minimum for possession of a small amount of crack cocaine (40 grams); and 10 more years thanks to a mandatory minimum for possession of a firearm in connection with a drug-trafficking charge. “This is one of those situations where I’d like to see a congressman sitting before me,” the sentencing judge said, in evident frustration.

Young black college student DeJarion Echols also 'pled' guilty but not to possessing a 'small amount' (40 grams/not so sure 12 eight balls of crack is a small amount?) but to 50 grams or more and it wasn't simple possession but possession with intent to deliver. Had the author taken the two minutes it would have cost her to look up the case she also would have found out little DeJarion was also within 1,000 feet of a school, namely Waco Elementary, and the firearm he was in possession of was a Norinco 7.62 caliber SKS assault rifle. (pics here https://www.google.com/search?q=nori...39%3B640%3B480) BTW police also found $7,265 in cash on the poor college student.

I can only hope author Maya Shenwar's poor excuse for a story was due to laziness and not falsifying facts to fit a story. Either way she should probably look for a new career. Perhaps a political speechwriter?

http://truth-out.org/opinion/item/22...ws-steal-lives

[dellinger63]

Meet Ramone Palmer

Ramone Palmer, 23, is accused of fatally shooting Brian Rollins on Sept. 12. Prosecutors said Palmer, whose name is also listed in court documents as Ramone Riley-Palmer, broke into a home in the 10400 block of South Perry Avenue in the Fernwood neighborhood on the Far South Side, threatened its occupants with a gun and then chased Rollins out of the house and shot him four times.

Now Ramone was sentenced on 10/24/11 to IL Department of Corrections for 3 years for Aggravated use of a Weapon from a car, 2nd offense. Had he simply served the time given (no minimum mandatory necessary) Brian Rollins would be alive today. Had he been given a mandatory minimum for the first offense the 2nd may not have even happened.

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2...ourt-documents

Next let's meet Lee Cration

A Cook County jury took a little more than an hour Thursday evening to convict a felon in the 2009 Christmas Eve slaying of an elderly Hyde Park man.

Lee Cration killed 79-year-old Ralph Elliott after he tried to rob the senior citizen outside Popeye’s Chicken at 818 E. 47th Street.

After shooting Elliott, witnesses told police Cration rummaged through the dead man’s pockets before fleeing.

Elliott had come to the fast food restaurant to pick up chicken for an annual holiday potluck that he and his wife had hosted for the last five decades.

A review of Cration's record shows he was convicted of murder and sentenced to 28 years on 2/28/84. While serving his time he was subsequently sentenced in 2001 and 2005 for aggravated battery on a peace officer (prison guard) and received an additional 3 years for each offense. Had this animal simply be forced to do his time (34 years) he would still be in and poor Mr. Elliott would still be alive hosting the holiday pot luck he had hosted for 5 decades.

http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/7...l#.U1vIePaPJMs

So I suppose the lesson to be learned is even before enacting min/mandatory laws let's simply require felons to do the time they are sentenced to, parole board no longer necessary.