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Jim Black [Dem, former NC House Speaker} released early from prison
News 14 Carolina ^ | October 4, 2010 | Loretta Boniti

Posted on 10/04/2010 11:35:34 PM PDT by MitchellC

CHARLOTTE -- Former North Carolina House Speaker Jim Black returned to Mecklenburg County on Monday after about about three years behind bars and will complete the remainder of his sentence in a halfway house or under home confinement.

Welcome home signs and balloons decorated the Black residence in Matthews, North Carolina.

Yellow bows also lined the mailboxes on the street, as neighbors joined in on the homecoming party. This celebration comes after the news that the once powerful Black is no longer behind bars.

It is six months until to end of his sentence, but Black has left the federal prison in Jesup, Georgia. His family told News 14 Carolina: "Glad to have him home. It's been hard, it's not been easy, but we are happy he's home"

Black's attorney said Black is just happy to be back close to home.

“I think it was very tough,” said attorney Whit Powell. “I think it would be tough for a young person to go through. Dr. Black is 74. His health has not been particularly good. His wife's has been extremely poor and it has been a very very difficult time.”

Black agrees. In a statement he said: “Being separated from my family, friends, and loved ones since 2007 has been difficult. My years in two different institutions have been a period of great personal growth and learning.”

Black was sentenced to serve five years for bribery and obstruction of justice charges. That time was reduced after he completed an alcohol treatment program in prison which made his new release date in early 2011. Powell says that means Monday's release makes sense.

“Well, he's really not serving less time than he is scheduled for or sentenced to,” said Powell. “It's just a policy of the Bureau of Prisons to release people six months prior to their official release dates. His release date, I think, is April 1 of 2011.”

Black went directly to a halfway house in Mecklenburg County. He will stay there until his release date, unless authorities decide he is eligible for home confinement to finish his sentence.


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; News/Current Events; US: North Carolina
KEYWORDS: jimblack

1 posted on 10/04/2010 11:35:37 PM PDT by MitchellC
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To: 100%FEDUP; 2ndMostConservativeBrdMember; ~Vor~; a4drvr; Adder; Aegedius; Afronaut; alethia; ...
“Well, he's really not serving less time than he is scheduled for or sentenced to,” said Powell. “It's just a policy of the Bureau of Prisons to release people six months prior to their official release dates.

Um... what? So it's the policy of the Bureau of Prisons to have six months of 'pretend jail time' on every prison sentence?

Anyway, hopefully they're doing this because they needed the cell for Easley...

NC *Ping*

Please FRmail MitchellC if you want to be added to or removed from this North Carolina ping list.
2 posted on 10/04/2010 11:42:20 PM PDT by MitchellC
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To: MitchellC

Democrats’ GOTV effort.


3 posted on 10/05/2010 12:17:06 AM PDT by counterpunch (End the Government Monopoly!)
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To: MitchellC
Anyway, hopefully they're doing this because they needed the cell for Easley...

Yeah. Gov. Sugar Dumplin' will be in a different prison.
4 posted on 10/05/2010 2:02:25 AM PDT by wolfpat (Veni. Vidi. Veneer: I came. I saw. I made plywood.)
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To: MitchellC

Gee, a nice slap on the wrist.....Disgusting.


5 posted on 10/05/2010 4:08:34 PM PDT by GenXteacher (He that hath no stomach for this fight, let him depart!)
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To: MitchellC

Maybe Jim Black is hand delivering the felon absentee ballots.


6 posted on 10/11/2010 5:44:19 AM PDT by Notasoccermom
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