Posted on 08/17/2014 11:13:43 PM PDT by Citizen Zed
Whether Scott Walker goes free ultimately depends on the president.
A recommendation from the office of the pardon attorney in the Justice Department will be forwarded to the White House.
Walker's lawyers say he meets all six criteria for release, including a good prison record and having served at least 10 years. In their petition, they've included a plan for post-prison life. He'd live with his sister, Angela, in her family's house in Illinois. A pastor, a longtime friend, has written commitments from two trucking companies who'd consider hiring Walker.
"I believe that he is ready to re-enter society and contribute as a law-abiding and tax-paying citizen and devoted son, grandson, and father," wrote Darin Schultz, one of his lawyers, seeking a commutation to 20 years. If the petition is granted and Walker is given credit for good behavior while incarcerated, he could be released soon.
Walker's bid comes amid years of deepening reservations by the public and elected officials about tough drug sentences. From 2009 to 2013, 40 states — many facing tight budgets and overcrowded prisons — took steps to ease their drug laws, according to a Pew Research Center analysis.
On the federal level, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder has urged drug sentencing reform but proposals have stalled in Congress despite bipartisan support.
The clemency review, focusing on non-violent offenders, aims to reduce the bloated federal prison system, where about half the inmates are serving time for drug crimes. It also is designed to scale back stringent penalties and address disproportionately tough sentences imposed on black offenders during the 1980s crack epidemic.
(Excerpt) Read more at siouxcityjournal.com ...
I don’t know what public sentiment is but if they’re going to release lots of people early for certain crimes they should make it fair and regular by passing new legislation.
I know it will not please you but most post 1987 fed drug laws were largely draconian
This guy has done 18 years
He got ratted on by his superiors
10 years is plenty for anyone’s drug crime with a body on their jacket
Prior to 87 guidelines he might have gotten 3-5
Freepers like keel hauling for any crime north of jay walking except gun possession crap
Flame away but count me out
I bet this guy goes crazy when he gets his hands on today’s drugs. I’d rather not drive on the same road he drives on after he gets out - but some stupid union will put he behind the wheel of a truck.
Why are drug offenders more harshly punished than murderers and child molesters?? If you want to harm yourself by doing drugs, I find that less objectionable than harming other people. Even if you’re a dealer, you’re not taking something from someone—at least, not in the same way that you do if you kill or rape someone.
When I first started reading the article, I began to think it was satire. It would have helped if the writer had defined the difference in people named “Scott Walker”, particularly since the State Governor of Wisconsin is also of the same name. There are the “low information” voters who would actually believe Gov. Walker was the perp in this case and would LOVE to fan the flames.
This guy sold hard drugs and you can be sure he caused the deaths of others. Murder should get the death penalty.
As someone who once smoked....its not nearly as impairing as booze youre gonna have to do better than that reason to lock em up
I know to those in freakvilles it seems pot smokers are libs
Not so in Dixie
He didn’t force them to buy it. He didn’t force them to take it. That’s not murder.
You live in the same dangerous world as the buyers, sellers and users. All 3 have no regard for the safety and well being of others. If you look the other way, don’t cry when carma bites you or someone you love. JS
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