In 2000, when Demaryius was just 13 years old, his grandmother, Minnie Pearl Thomas, was sentenced to LIFE in prison for running a cocaine ring. Yikes. According to the big man though (that would be Obama), lots of drug-related sentences are unfair. So he gave Grandma Thomas a break. Keep reading…
She’s not the only one. Obama recently commuted 214 other prisoners’ sentences as well today. Here’s a bit of The President’s Facebook post from today referencing Sherman Chester, a man whose sentence he commuted as well:
“…And today, I’m commuting the sentences of an additional 214 men and women who are just as deserving of a second chance. Altogether, I’ve commuted more sentences than the past nine presidents combined, and I am not done yet.
These acts of clemency are important steps for families like Sherman’s and steer our country in a better direction, but they alone won’t fix our criminal justice system. We need Congress to pass meaningful federal sentencing reform that will allow us to more effectively use taxpayer dollars to protect the public.
I hope you’ll take a minute to read and share Sherman’s letter. The more we understand the human stories behind this problem, the sooner we can start making real changes that keep our streets safe, break the cycle of incarceration in this country, and save taxpayers like you money.
I mean, damn, LIFE? While murderers and rapists run free? Good for Obama, GREAT for the families given another opportunity to get it right.
