TV Theft Offender To Be Released After 35 Years
May 19, 2005 8:08 a.m. EST
Niladri Sekhar Nath - All Headline News Staff Reporter
RALEIGH, N.C. (AHN) - A man who has spent 35 years in jail for stealing a $140 television set will be released in a few weeks.
However, the 64-year-old man Junior Allen will have to work, comply with all laws and check in periodically with a parole officer for five years after his release.
Allen stated Wednesday that he will go back to his home in Georgia and never come back. He will also meet his brother, sister and other relatives in Georgetown, Ga.
In a telephone interview with the AP, Allen said, "I am not going to stick around. I feel like I've done worn out my welcome in North Carolina. And I know it's worn out me."
Allen was punished with life-imprisonment for second-degree burglary in 1970 for sneaking into an unlocked house near Benson and stealing a 19-inch black-and-white television.
At that time, he was a 30-year-old migrant farm worker from Georgia with a criminal history of burglaries and a violent assault.
The law related to his offense has been amended and the harshest penalty anyone can now receive for second-degree burglary is three years, reported The Associated Press.
Nothing like leaving out the details... criminal history of burlaries and a violent assault.
Thanks for posting that info.
My "objective" and colour-blind friend: the fact that he's BLACK and POOR obviously didn't play into this, right? We can guess the outcome had he been a nice clean-cut white boy of good stock...
Yet the bigger travesty is that it took 35 years for the parole board (?) to 'figure out' the poor man didn't belong in jail. And then for good measure they knock on another 5 in which he's expected to report to a parole officer to ensure he doesn't "reoffend"; this while Hollywood types regularly get off scottfree for similar offenses...
The guy should sue the living pants off the State of NC. Living the remainder of his life in absolute luxury is the least he deserves.