Alice Johnson

[JWG66]

watched some of her story last nite. Missed the part explaining clemency. Thought she was pardoned. What is the difference in the two releases? It was encouraging to see her family support and am glad she can resume her life.

 

[MichiganHerd]

Clemency is simply the term given, when a President or Governor performs some sort of act. A pardon is one of those forms of acts an executive can take. Other forms, off the top of my head, could be a reprieve, which is commonly used during executions, and a commuted sentence, which is simply shortening one's sentence. I think Miss Johnson was simply provided a commuted sentence.

 

[Airport]

watched some of her story last nite. Missed the part explaining clemency. Thought she was pardoned. What is the difference in the two releases? It was encouraging to see her family support and am glad she can resume her life.

What exactly was she sent to prison for and did she have priors?

 

[JWG66]

Clemency is simply the term given, when a President or Governor performs some sort of act. A pardon is one of those forms of acts an executive can take. Other forms, off the top of my head, could be a reprieve, which is commonly used during executions, and a commuted sentence, which is simply shortening one's sentence. I think Miss Johnson was simply provided a commuted sentence.

Thx.

 

[JWG66]

What exactly was she sent to prison for and did she have priors?

Think her crime was for drug distribution (cocaine) but not certain. She was remorseful and a model prisoner helping others. She ran with wrong crowd & made big mistake. But I tend to agree it should not cost her life without a chance of parole.

No priors but there were multiple crimes charged. She served 21 years of her sentence.

 

[EERs 3:16]

Think her crime was for drug distribution but not certain. She was remorseful and a model prisoner helping others. She ran with wrong crowd & made big mistake. But I tend to agree it should not cost her life without a chance of parole.

Depends, did anyone die from the drugs she sold?

 

[Airport]

Depends, did anyone die from the drugs she sold?

wondered about that. Cocaine laced with fentanyl probably wasn't as prevelant back then.

 

[MichiganHerd]

She was trafficking cocaine, and also had some financial crimes. I think she used cocaine income to make a down payment on a house, so likely some sort of money laundering crime. CR89 might be able to explain it better.

 

[JWG66]

wondered about that. Cocaine laced with fentanyl probably wasn't as prevelant back then.

Good point. Think you are right, this was before fentanyl came on the drug scene. Conviction was in 1996. Still bad stuff and she paid a significant price for it.