Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

dalton99a

(81,514 posts)
Wed Nov 21, 2018, 10:05 AM Nov 2018

As U.S. attorney, Whitaker imposed longer-than-usual drug sentences (WP)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/as-us-attorney-whitaker-imposed-longer-than-usual-drug-sentences/2018/11/21/a66dfaf2-e9de-11e8-bbdb-72fdbf9d4fed_story.html

As U.S. attorney, Whitaker imposed longer-than-usual drug sentences
By Michael Kranish
November 21 at 6:00 AM

Raeanna Woody’s crimes hardly seemed like they would add up to a life sentence in prison. She had two nonviolent drug convictions, for possessing marijuana and delivering 12 grams of methamphetamine. But when she was arrested in a third drug case, she said, the office of U.S. Attorney Matthew G. Whitaker decided to make an example of her.

Under Whitaker, who is now acting attorney general, Woody was given a choice: spend the rest of her life in jail, or accept a plea bargain sentence of 21 to 27 years, according to court records. She took the deal.

Federal Judge Robert W. Pratt in the Southern District of Iowa later accused prosecutors of having “misused” their authority in her nonviolent case. He urged President Barack Obama to commute her sentence — and Obama did shorten her term , after she had served 11 years.

Woody’s case highlights one of the most controversial if little-known aspects of Whitaker’s career: his efforts to obtain unusually stiff sentences for people accused of drug crimes.

Whitaker spent nearly five years as U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Iowa. His office was more likely than all but one other district in the United States to use its authority to impose the harshest sentences on drug offenders, according to a finding by a different Iowa federal judge, Mark W. Bennett, who it called a “deeply troubling disparity.”

....



1 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
As U.S. attorney, Whitaker imposed longer-than-usual drug sentences (WP) (Original Post) dalton99a Nov 2018 OP
Lets just hope duforsure Nov 2018 #1

duforsure

(11,885 posts)
1. Lets just hope
Wed Nov 21, 2018, 10:51 AM
Nov 2018

His and trump and his families sentences are equally as harsh when they're facing all their crimes. Whitaker is too stupid to realize he'll be easily caught up in anything illegal he does for trump now, and for any other involvement in other crimes.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»As U.S. attorney, Whitake...