Jailed Mississippi sisters freed for kidney donation

[alp227]

Source: CNN

(CNN) -- After 16 years behind bars in Mississippi, two sisters were released Friday on the condition that one donate a kidney to the other.

Gov. Haley Barbour suspended the sentences of Gladys Scott, 36, and Jamie Scott, 38, who were serving life sentences for armed robbery. Gladys Scott agreed to donate a kidney to her sister, who according to their lawyer, is gravely ill.

The freed sisters were heading to Pensacola, Florida, where their mother lives, to remain under the supervision of the Florida Department of Corrections parole office, said Suzanne Singletary, a spokeswoman for the Mississippi Department of Corrections.

They drove out of the prison compound in Pearl, just outside of Jackson, at about 9 a.m. Friday.

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2011/CRIME/01/07/mississippi.sister.kidney/index.html

[sakabatou]

1. I say that whole surgery for freedom is wrong

[onpatrol98]

2. Crazy Story...

Activists have wanted the release of these sisters for quite some time and Haley Barbour knows it. This should have been an easy release decision. As a matter of fact, they were in jail during the term of both a democratic and republican governor. But, sometimes it's hard to tell the differences between these types in Mississippi. Barbour has also let far worse criminals get out early. I think Barbour wanted to pardon the sisters anyway to earn himself some credit or at least alleviate the scorn surely to follow a fellow of his sort who sticks his foot in his mouth at every possible moment in terms of civil rights. He wants to run for President. The release was as good as done for the sisters. But, believe it or not, in Mississippi...there are those that will question the release even now. So, to reassure that group (also known as his base)...out comes the Kidney donation in return for the release of the sister who wasn't sick. The sister was willing to donate the kidney whether or not she was released or not. Social activists wanted both women out and have championed that cause for years.

So this is the best twist in the wind he can come up with...and it sounds ludicrous. I'm just glad they're out. Believe it or not...and I am sure you believe it, there are some in Mississippi who would sleep well every night if they were still in jail.

http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20110107/NEWS/101070337/Scott-sisters-free-today

Only one posting at the time of this writing. But, I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't light up the board eventually. I mean after all...they did get,$11.

[rasputin1952]

3. They got life for armed robbery?

Seems like 16 years is plenty of time for that charge...and they were accessories at best according to the story cited.

Murderers get less time than that.

In any case, hope there is a match for the kidney. Dialysis is painful and a exceptionally expensive.

[alp227]

4. MURDERERS? Since when? n/t

[classysassy]

5. The former acting president

That unelected fraud murdered thousands of innocent,men,women and children not one minute behind bars,what a sick justice system.If you are white and rich you are given a get out of jail free card when you are born.

[rasputin1952]

6. Just in case you don't folow cases, some murderers get out

on parole after as little as 5 years, (most will be out after 20+ unless there is no chance for parole).

Sentencing guidelines have a lot to do w/the nature of the crime. Shooting someone to death generally gets a lighter sentence than hacking someone to death with a pick-ax.

Every crime is different, even though they may sound alike. Guidelines are set as to the "severity" of the crime, death by torture will receive a longer term than death in a bad drug transaction.

Justice is fickle, and no single sentence can cover a crime.

No one was killed during this robbery, why were there a life sentences imposed?

No mention either of those that beat the men to rob them, were they caught and prosecuted, and if so, what did they receive?