The man in question was arresting for selling less than $30 of marijuana will soon be released.
Derek Harris, a Gulf War veteran, was arresting in 2006 in Louisiana for selling .69 grams of marijuana to an undercover cop.
It was his stepson who led them to his mother’s shack to where they would make a purchase of the marijuana from Harris.
According to Louisiana Supreme Court, Harris was sentenced to 15 years upon his conviction.
In 2012, he was re-sentenced to life under the Habitual Offender Law- grants judges the ability to implement longer and stricter sentences to people who have been charged in the past.
His prior conviction include:
- selling cocaine in 1991
- robbery in 1992
- burglary in 1997
- theft (under $500) in 2005
- selling marijuana (prior conviction other than the case in discussion)
Judge Durwood Conque of the 15th Judicial District did not think that a 30-year sentence was fair for selling marijuana so he opted for 15 years instead.
Judge Durwood Conque had no choice but to sentence Harris to life because prosecutors invoked the Habitual Offender Law.
Upon his release, Harris hopes to spend time with his brother Antoine and his family in Louisville.
Cormac Boyle, Harris’ attorney, is a New Orleans-based NGO of the Promise of Justice Initiative who helps people who are victims of the US criminal justice system.
According to Boyle, Harris’ case was not out of the ordinary.
“It is certainly time for Louisiana to rethink how it uses the habitual offender law.
“While in theory such a law may be fine, in practice it perpetuates and exposes some of the worst aspects of the criminal justice system.”
Cormac Boyle
Louisiana Supreme Courts just upheld a life sentence for a man who was convicted for stealing a pair of hedge clippers over 20 years ago, last week!
Fair Wayne Bryant was convicted for his crime back in 1997. He is now 62 years old.
The only Black judge who was on the bench disputed the decision.
“Mr. Bryant has already spent nearly 23 years in prison and is now over 60 years old.
“If he lives another 20 years, Louisiana taxpayers will have paid almost one million dollars to punish Mr. Bryant for his failed effort to steal a set of hedge clippers.”
Chief Justice Bernette Johnson
Check out how Nevada has legalized recreational marijuana
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