From Deseret News archives:
55-year sentence sparks fight
Lawyers for first-time drug dealer appeal to U.S. Supreme Court
Noriega, a militaristic dictator, was captured in 1989 by invading U.S. forces and tried in the United States for massive cocaine trafficking. In 1992 he was sentenced to serve 40 years in prison.
Angelos, a young aspiring rap producer and father of two, sold marijuana to make some cash. After selling three 8-ounce bags of pot to an informant, who later testified that Angelos had a gun during two of the sales, Angelos was swept up in what his attorneys say is a minimum-mandatory sentencing system out of control.
Angelos was sentenced to 55 years in federal prison in 2002. There is no parole in the federal system, meaning Angelos could be well over the age of 70 when eligible to be released from prison.
Now the 26-year-old is trying to get one last chance to overturn his sentence by appealing to the U.S. Supreme Court. The case has attracted the support of some of the brightest legal minds in the state and throughout the country.
Zimmerman told the Deseret Morning News the fact that a first-time drug offender can get 55 years in prison is the product of overzealous politicians eager to appear tough on crime.
"No one ever lost an election by campaigning for tougher criminal punishment," Zimmerman said. "Minimum mandatories at the federal level are particularly way out of whack, I think have no penal justification, and are totally PR-driven."
Zimmerman said he feels Angelos has a strong enough case to stand before the Supreme Court. Congress passed the mandatory enhancement of dealing drugs with a firearm as a way to crack down on big-time drug dealers. But small-time offenders like Angelos have become snared in the system.
"Minimum mandatories like this make no sense at all and distort the penal system completely," Zimmerman said, pointing out that had Angelos been convicted in state court, he would have likely received a few years in prison and probation, particularly for a first-time offense.
Comments
- Newhouse Hotel an explosive end 10:15 p.m.
- Law setting up national vote in Iraq 10:11 p.m.
- Floods, slides kill 124 in El Salvador 10:10 p.m.
- Cowboys topple Eagles 20-16 10:10 p.m.
- Germany marks day wall fell 10:10 p.m.
- Divorce fair attracts thousands 10:09 p.m.
- World-record sushi roll 10:09 p.m.
- Vikings' Allen enjoying season 10:08 p.m.
- National news briefs 10:08 p.m.
- Utah Jazz Extra: Whose hot/not 10:07 p.m.
- Gay advocates trek to LDS office
216 - House passes health care bill
197 - Lobo suspended
173 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
150 - Speed has never been BYU's game
136 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
125 - RSL rallies to advance
103 - Thousands protest health bill
102 - Provo company innovating engines
100 - Utes pound winless Lobos
88
Why do so many people live so close to refineries in Utah and elsewhere?
NASA's Stardust probe continues to bring new knowledge about the nature...
To say that Collie would lobby for the ball? Puuullleeeaaassseee! Collie was...
I agree that pumping the aquifers in nothern nevada or anywhere else is...
What a lovely, extraordinary reminder of important matters. I wonder where I...
The Ute played their worst opponent in some time (years. That is not a good...
I give the GOP credit for at least acknowledging we have a problem and for...
The increasing unemployment of democrats will naturally result in an overall...
Hey TCU, you guys got this one in the bag. Don't practice, scheme or prepare...
Anonymous seems to have a bone to pick, the comments about ..."It's not just...
I have never met anyone who pouts naturally - maybe I just haven't met enough...
It is your year South Summit. Go make it happen.



You can be the first to comment on this story.