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For context on Manafort’s 47 months in prison, my client yesterday was offered 36-72 months in prison for stealing $100 worth of quarters from a residential laundry room.
My colleague’s client today was forced to plead out to the mandatory minimum of 3.5 years (5 months shy of Manafort) for simple possession of a firearm. No allegation of use. Prosecution wouldn’t drop top count after a hearing. Best they had been willing to do was 2 years.
3 years ago, in the court in which I work, a Brooklyn teenager was sentenced to 19 years (15 more than Manafort) for setting a mattress on fire that inadvertently lead to the death of a responding officer for smoke inhalation. nytimes.com/2016/06/15/nyr…
15 years in prison for drug possession. You shouldn’t need more info than that to be outraged. But then learn: Juanita is a mother of 6. Her 18 year old is now head of household. Raising 5 kids. Crime is not even a felony in Oklahoma anymore.
Manafort was sentenced to less than a woman who voted while on probation without knowing she wasn’t allowed to. She was sentenced to 5 years. nytimes.com/2018/06/13/us/…
READ: For all those now reading this thread, before I go any further: I am not making the argument for *harsher sentences for anyone including Manafort.* I am simply pointing out the outrageous disparity between his treatment and others, disproportionately poor & people of color.
To be clear: I'm not advocating here or anywhere for worse treatment for all. Just wish my clients received same treatment as the privileged few. Wrote about this in context of Manafort, Cohen, & other Trump allies in @nytopinion: nytimes.com/2018/09/19/opi…
Matthew Charles was released after 21 of his 35 year sentence for crack sale. Got a job, began volunteering, reconnected w/ family. The prosecution appealed. He was thrown back in jail. Fortunately, just released again. But should have never gone back. nashvillepublicradio.org/post/next-step…
16-year-old Kalief Browder was jailed on Rikers for 3.5 years, *pretrial,* for allegedly stealing a backpack. Committed suicide when released. City just settled for a paltry $3.3 million. Meanwhile cash bail still exists, Rikers still open, & 89% jailed there are Black or Latino. 
THIS—> THE SAME JUDGE:
Feeling enraged, powerless, & want to do something productive? Not related except to Trump: Please consider giving to help asylum seekers, who already went thru so much including separation, survive while they wait to see if they’ll be allowed to stay:whiletheywait.org/#give
You can also donate to local bail fund to help folks afford to buy their freedom, pretrial, presumed innocent & fight their case while home with their family. Here’s a national directory: communityjusticeexchange.org/nbfn-directory
This man served 24 years. He was originally sentenced to die in prison w/ no discretion for judge to do different. And he was only released after a decade-long battle & federal legislation. **For a drug offense.**
Some sentencing disparities from colleagues replying.
15 years for theft of a lawnmower.
15 years for theft of a lawnmower.
I now rep a 35 y/o charged w arson. Severely intoxicated. Severe cognitive delays. Fortunately no one injured. Minimal damage. Rikers for last year pretrial. Current offer is 10 years longer than Manafort: 14 yrs prison.
