Bob Riley, 62, gentle Deadhead serving a life sentence for LSD

[Earth_First]

Bob was arrested in 1992 for mailing LSD and mushrooms to a fellow Deadhead in Iowa. He was sentenced to life without parole in 1993.

Prosecutors falsely labeled Bob as a career criminal because he’d used, shared and sold drugs over the years. He’d been arrested three times over 15 years for a puny amount of drugs.

His first arrest? Selling a joint on a San Diego beach. In all, his three arrests were for one-fourth of an ounce of pot, 3 grams of hash and $25 worth of amphetamines.
He fully admits he was selling (and using) mushrooms and LSD during his time on the road with the Grateful Dead and he understood the risk risk of getting locked up for a while.

But life without parole in a federal penitentiary for a low-budget, gentle hippie wanderer who was utterly inconsequential to the drug trade or public safety? The idea seemed — make that, was and is — crazy.

http://clemencyreport.org/bob-riley-62-gentle-deadhead-serving-a-life-sentence-for-lsd/

More absurdity and victims of the War on Drugs serving life without parole for minor, non violent charges...

If you would like to write to Bob and offer some words of encouragement, PM me for his address...

[handmade34]

1. K&R n/t

[Enthusiast]

2. Kicked and recommended a whole bunch!

The real criminals are still out there doing business in a big way.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

3. many not even dirtying their hands with any actual "product". n/t

[Enthusiast]

4. Like HSBC.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

5. mmm...yes.

Many. We regular ol' people would be stunned if we knew, I'm betting.

[Enthusiast]

6. I'm betting with you.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

18. yeah.

Be nice to not need these bets, eh?

[mountain grammy]

8. Pretty safe bet.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

17. :)

The only betting I do.

[xocet]

9. This OP seems related to your theory...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10141025731

[Enthusiast]

14. Thank you, xocet.

Horrible.

[mountain grammy]

7. Thank you for this post..

I've bookmarked The Clemency Report. This is good stuff they're doing and they will have my full support.

[world wide wally]

10. There is bullshit and then there is bullshit and then there is ABSOLUTE buullshit.

This falls into the latter Category.
Good luck, Bob

[Enthusiast]

15. Absolute bullshit is right!

[blackspade]

11. The drug war is a travesty

Riley is locked for life while torturers walk around free.
Ho, in any normal society, is this justice?

[BlueJazz]

12. In other news:"Bush, Rove and other assorted criminals had trouble getting their...

... champagne bottle open last night.
This reporter was appalled at the inhumanity of it all.
A full investigation will address this disturbing trend."

[RoccoR5955]

13. There is no justice

War criminals and torturers go free.
Con artists in the financial industry go free.
Arsonists and car thieves serve in Congress.
Sex offenders are priests.
Someone who sends a few hits of LSD and some 'shrooms to someone gets life without parole.
This country is going down fast!

[daleanime]

21. +1

Change can't come quick enough.

[secondwind]

16. this is absolutely appalling

[zappaman]

19. This is awful to read.

[nilesobek]

20. Please pardon this man President Obama.

[Earth_First]

22. Here is the Change.org petition link:

https://www.change.org/p/clemency-for-robert-j-riley-life-in-prison-for-a-nonviolent-drug-offense

Thanks everyone for the exposure you've given this...it's not only has been a life changing event in Bob's life, however an event that has stolen decades from thousands of others in similar situations...

Please consider adding your name to this petition...one at a time this could become a game changer for everyone involved.

Be well...