Posted on 09/20/2007 3:27:17 PM PDT by secretagent
TALLAHASSEE -- Richard Paey is a chronic pain patient in year three of a 25-year mandatory-minimum sentence for trafficking in drugs -- his own pain medication.
But his freedom is just hours away.
Gov. Charlie Crist and the Florida Cabinet voted unanimously to grant Paey a full pardon Thursday morning for his 2004 conviction on drug trafficking and possession charges.
"We aim to right a wrong and exercise compassion and to do it with grace," the governor said. "Congratulations ... and I state he should be released today."
With that, Paey's wife Linda, their three children, a family friend and attorney John Flannery II hugged and cried at the podium, the entire cabinet meeting room erupting into applause at 9:40 a.m.
It was a stunning turn in the long saga of Paey, a 48-year-old Hudson man who suffers debilitating pain from a 1985 car wreck, botched back surgery and multiple sclerosis that has left him needing the use of a wheelchair in prison.
He was first arrested in 1997 and convicted on the third try in 2004 of possessing, trafficking and illegally obtaining the medication he needs for the searing, fiery pain in his back and legs.
His supporters still contest every bit of the state's case and today, they finally found sympathetic ears eager to help. His medical condition is real, they told the cabinet, evidenced by the amoung of painkillers the Department of Corrections itself now gives to Richard Paey every day.
(Excerpt) Read more at sptimes.com ...
FYI
Maybe we got a decent governor?!
Wow, government does the right thing for once.
I’m awfully sorry it took two years.
excellent, there are so many more deserving of prison in FL.
You mean you are having second thoughts about “one square”? I need more data, much more than the Miami Herald thinks he is a good governor.
He never should have even been charged.
Correcting a grievous error is not the same as doing the right thing. He still did over two years for no crime at all.
Now putting the judge and prosecutor in jail would be doing the right thing.
I agree, although that won’t happen.
Sounds like common sense ruled the day.
What were the drugs he was “trafficking” in?
Ocycodone and hydrocodone, I think.
The government had some push from a committed crew of “Friends of Paey”.
“What were the drugs he was “trafficking” in?”
I’m pretty sure this is the guy who had a prescription for these drugs. The jury was not allowed to be told that the drugs were legal with a prescription.
Flowida is such a dangewous pwace to wive.... /sniveling
I was telling someone in line about this case a few months ago. I said if Crist wants my respect, he should pardon this guy. The guy was one of those that was clueless about politics and the news.
I am really, really glad to hear this.
Check to see who was attorney general in Florida in 2004.
Now if only they’d discipline the over-zealous idiots who prosecuted him in the first place.
Good news from the WOD front.
I think they needed three trials to get him.
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