As a 16-year old, Charles Rodgers was involved in a robbery of a Popeye’s Fried Chicken.
His co-defendant (who brandished a pellet gun) served a short sentence and was released over a decade ago.
Rodgers was unarmed.
He was sentenced to 40 years in prison without parole.
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His co-defendant (who brandished a pellet gun) served a short sentence and was released over a decade ago.
Rodgers was unarmed.
He was sentenced to 40 years in prison without parole.
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Rodgers’ sentence for a non-violent crime as a juvenile exceeded even some for murder.
In 2011, Oprah featured him in a documentary called “Serving Life”.
The movie followed his work in a prison hospice as a caregiver to dying inmates.
Pro bono attorneys then joined his case.
In 2011, Oprah featured him in a documentary called “Serving Life”.
The movie followed his work in a prison hospice as a caregiver to dying inmates.
Pro bono attorneys then joined his case.
The attorneys argued that a 40-year sentence without parole for a non-violent offense was unconstitutional.
The judge hearing the appeal?
The son of the original judge who handed down the 40-year sentence.
Still, he sided with Rodgers.
The judge hearing the appeal?
The son of the original judge who handed down the 40-year sentence.
Still, he sided with Rodgers.
Rodgers served nearly two decades in a violent adult prison.
A more privileged juvenile offender would never have seen the inside of an adult penitentiary.
Were it not for his attorneys, he’d be in prison still.
Criminal justice is often more criminal than just.
A more privileged juvenile offender would never have seen the inside of an adult penitentiary.
Were it not for his attorneys, he’d be in prison still.
Criminal justice is often more criminal than just.
With a whole life to rebuild, his attorneys have taken him in, given him help of their own and setup a GoFundMe to help him start over.
Help if you’re moved to...
gofundme.com/restarting-cha…
Help if you’re moved to...
gofundme.com/restarting-cha…
