Weigh in on Jim Black

Submitted by bniolet on June 22, 2009 - 10:48am.
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Judging from emails, phone calls and online comments, a lot of people have opinions about our story today on the effort to reduce Jim Black's prison sentence or move him closer to home, Jim Morrill of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Lawyers for the former N.C. House speaker, who is serving five years for corruption in Lewisburg, Pa., have organized a letter-writing campaign to commute his sentence or at least get him moved back to North Carolina. They cite his ailments as well as his wife's recent diagnosis with ALS, or Lou Gehrig's Disease.

About 150 people have written in support of Black. Not everybody is sympathetic.

"The key piece to remember is that Jim Black had a chance to get a shorter prison sentence," says Bob Hall of Democracy North Carolina, who's research into Black's campaign contributions helped set the stage for his prosecution. "There was a considerable period of time between his conviction and his sentencing when prosecutors sought his cooperation in their investigation of corruption, but he gave them no help....

"So if he wants a reduced prison time now, does that mean he's changed his minds and is ready to tell the truth about the full extent of pay-to-play politics in North Carolina?" 

How do you feel about Black's sentence?

Weigh in with the authorities after the jump.

—————

To argue for or against the commutation of his sentence, write:

Ronald L. Rodgers

Pardon Attorney

Department of Justice

1425 New York Ave., Suite 11000

Washington, D.C. 20530

Re: James Boyce Black

Reg. No. 50655-056

To write for or against moving Black closer to home, write:

Harley Lappin

Director, U.S. Bureau of Prisons

320 1st St., NW

Washington, D.C. 20534

Re: James Boyce Black

Reg. No. 50655-056

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Re: Weigh in on Jim Black

Submitted by mountainman on June 22, 2009 - 9:55pm.

Leave him right there, because he is no better than any other criminal. There lots criminals that would love to be closer to their families and I am sure if they would just tell the warden he would be happy to move them anywhere they would like. LOL. And remember folks Jim Black is criminal. He just thinks he is smart enough to dupe the good people of this state again.

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Re: Weigh in on Jim Black

Submitted by lpetrou on June 22, 2009 - 5:34pm.

Keep him there. He did the crime, he needs to do the time. As was stated in the article, he had an opportunity to help reduce his sentence by cooperating with the authorities. He chose not to.

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Re: Weigh in on Jim Black

Submitted by chicago on June 22, 2009 - 2:13pm.

Move him to Central Prison. He'll love it there.

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Re: Weigh in on Jim Black

Submitted by grinder on June 22, 2009 - 1:42pm.

Cry me a river!

Are these same sobbing friends crying for the release of the many poor people who commit crimes and have to take the justice handed down to them.

He broke the law! Found guilty and punished. Just because he was a big shot in state government should not mean he gets special treatment. As a matter of fact, if anything, he should be treated more harshly because he held the public trust.

If you can't do the time don't do the crime. It's not like he was involved in criminal activity to put food on the table or buy the baby some shoes.

Give me a break! If his time is reduced then pass it along to all those sitting in prison. I believe this may be the "2 Americas" we hear about.

We have been through this once. He got his day in court!

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Re: Weigh in on Jim Black

Submitted by BitterEXdemocrat on June 22, 2009 - 12:33pm.

Kudos to NandO for supplying this information...actually Im surprised.

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Re: Weigh in on Jim Black

Submitted by Kingixolib on June 22, 2009 - 11:09am.

Let him rot where he is unless he starts chirping.

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Re: Weigh in on Jim Black

Submitted by jjsmith2 on June 22, 2009 - 10:54am.

Keep him in prison, but at least move him closer to home. Lewisburg is at least 10 hours away from Charlotte and the closest airport is in Williamsport. There is no reason to not move him to a closer prison.

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