Armed robber was never told to report to prison

[sarisataka]

ST. LOUIS (AP) — After he was convicted of armed robbery in 2000, Cornealious Anderson was sentenced to 13 years behind bars and told to await instructions on when and where to report to prison. But those instructions never came.

So Anderson didn't report. He spent the next 13 years turning his life around — getting married, raising three kids, learning a trade. He made no effort to conceal his identity or whereabouts. Anderson paid taxes and traffic tickets, renewed his driver's license and registered his businesses.

Not until last year did the Missouri Department of Corrections discover the clerical error that kept him free. Now he's fighting for release, saying authorities missed their chance to incarcerate him.

http://news.yahoo.com/armed-robber-never-told-report-prison-195146743.html
... oops

Still it is ridiculous to take a man who by any measure is a rehabilitation success story and put him behind bars to cover a clerical mistake.

[The Magistrate]

1. I Agree, Sir: Commutation Is In Order

[steve2470]

8. completely agree

The only conceivable reason to incarcerate him now would be to exact vengeance, which I think would be illogical and unjust.

[joshcryer]

9. I believe a statutes of limitations argument could be successfully argued.

Though it will be difficult because the justice system pretty much ignores clerical errors as relevant to a defense.

Might need to get the governor involved.

[Angleae]

15. Statute of limitations limits the time he can be charged.

He had already been charges, found guilty, and sentanced so the statute of limitations does not apply.

[herding cats]

2. It would appear he's rehabilitated.

Which, in theory in a perfect vision of our justice system, is the reason for sending criminals to in the first place.

It'll be interesting to see how this plays out. Is our justice system about punishing a rehabilitated person after a clerical error has been found to leave him free in society for 13 socially productive years of his life? Or is it about punishment no matter what?

[Brother Buzz]

3. Done got rehabilitated without costing the state a nickel

[JimDandy]

4. Essentially he served his sentence already.

He stayed in the area waiting for the order to report and therefore was not free to make life choices available to those who were not detained in such a manner. His area of detention was larger than a prison but the broad effect was somewhat similar. Of course the state wants the full measure for their mistake, though.

[1000words]

5. I see it that way, too.

For 13 years, he remained in full compliance of the instructions given to him. Time served.

[joshcryer]

10. That's a fascinating way to look at it.

He had a mental ankle bracelet.

[DiverDave]

18. For 13 years?!

He had a ankle bracelet?
With all he's done to be a productive part of society AND having to put up with a ankle weight?
Not that that equals a prison sentience, but don't they put that on so they can know where you are?
Someone needs to be fired for losing him, and someone else should be fired for trying to have him pay for their mistake.
I think he has paid for his crime, let the guy live his life.


I dated a girl that got her car title from the bank with a year and change left on her loan.
The bank tried to get her to send it back, she refused.
No lien title, no loan. She kept the car and saved some money because someone at 1st national screwed up.

[joshcryer]

19. Yeah! But I meant it was in his head.

His lawyer informed him he couldn't leave the area, could not even change his address. He followed his advice and led a productive life.

[DiverDave]

20. Ah, sorry...

but I still feel he should be released.
I'm still waiting for my bank to send me the title...
A guy can hope, eh?

[joshcryer]

21. Hope so too.

He paid the price and became a productive citizen.

[Live and Learn]

13. Very true! nt

[littlewolf]

6. agreed he should not have to report. waiting to see how this plays out. nt

[AverageJoe90]

7. This man's rehabilitation is a *great* success story.

And the MDC better not fuck this up, either. This guy doesn't deserve prison now; IMHO, he's already more than made up for it!

[joshcryer]

11. That's a damn fine lawyer, even if the gambit doesn't work.

It was the right advice to give. It was the just advice to give.

Love his FAQ page: http://patrickmichaelmegaro.com/faq

Best of luck to Anderson. I think he has a chance to get this thrown out.

[Downwinder]

12. 13 years at $200 per day will cost MO taxpayers $949,000.

[Victor_c3]

14. Yup

Instead of costing the state nearly $1 million, he worked, paid taxes, and contributed to our society.

The state messed up and dropped the ball on this one. He proved for 13 years that he isn't a criminal anymore.

[Javaman]

16. His story was featured on "This American Life".

I hope he wins release.

[NCTraveler]

17. I didn't see where it said that all of the money...

from the armed robbery was recovered. I am guessing it was. If it wasn't, restitution should still occur. He sure as hell shouldn't go to jail. If restitution is necessary, maybe it is the state that should pay it.

[Donald Ian Rankin]

22. Is there a statute of limitations on his offence? N.T.