Former Death Row Inmate Gets 30 Years

AP via SFGate ^ | 8/14/7 | MICHAEL TARM, Associated Press Writer

[SmithL]

Chicago (AP) -- A former death row inmate who came to symbolize a broken criminal justice system was sentenced Tuesday to 30 years in prison for trading in guns and drugs.

Aaron Patterson, 43, gained international fame when he was one of four men pardoned by then-Gov. George Ryan, who also reduced to life in prison the death sentences of every inmate on Illinois' death row. But in 2005 he was convicted on the new charges, and federal prosecutors claim he coordinated gang activities while he was in prison.

Patterson entered the courtroom Tuesday yelling and cursing at his attorneys and U.S. District Judge Rebecca R. Pallmeyer, saying he wanted the truth. He had been repeatedly reprimanded for angry outbursts during the sentencing hearing, which stretched over four days since last month.

Before his sentence was read, Patterson made a 45-minute, expletive-laden statement to the court.

"You're going to put me down for a high sentence, but I'll be back. Back with a vengeance," Patterson said, his hands and ankles bound as he spoke from the defense table.

[SmithL]

Thanks, George!

[calex59]

A former death row inmate who came to symbolize a broken criminal justice system was sentenced Tuesday to 30 years in prison for trading in guns and drugs.

Sounds to me as if the only thing broken was the evidence that said he wasn't guilty of his first conviction. This isn't the only guy released because of DNA evidence that committed crimes, including murder, after their release.

[elcid1970]

This one is an excellent candidate for “shot while attempting to seize officer’s gun”.

In court, he should have been gagged.

[GBA]

Perhaps George will reimburse, out of his own pocket, the addition costs society has had to pay to apprehend and re-try this guy. We, the People, should be able to sue our politicians for their incompetence. I very much think that judges who set someone free who then goes on to commit more crimes, maybe even murder, should share in the punishment. Same for the politicians.