Aborted daytime burglary attempt, no one home, no weapon, nothing taken. Lowell Washington gets life
Washington broke into a house that belonged to a police officer, who returned home while Washington was inside. Washington had not taken any possessions, did not resist the officer, and remained seated until more officers arrived at the scene.
He had two previous housebreaking convictions and one burglary conviction. These previous convictions were the only aggravating circumstances elevating the break-in to first-degree burglary, and without the prior convictions Washington would have been charged with second-degree burglary.
His defense lawyer told the jury, “Total cooperation, no weapon, made a statement, sat down, no problem, no resistance, daylight hours. And they want you to convict him [of first-degree burglary] on a technicality.”
Notwithstanding his lawyer’s arguments, the jury convicted Washington of first-degree burglary and under South Carolina’s two-strikes law he was sentenced to life without parole.
Read full story at ACLU Special Report. A Living Death: Life Without Parole for Nonviolent Offenses.
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As voters, citizens, taxpayers and bystanders, we as a society have inhumanely punished thousands of nonviolent people. Currently Washington DC and 30 states have compensation statutes for wrongfully convicted inmates. Congress’ recommended amount is $63,000 for each year served. On the other hand, overly sentenced victims who in many cases have suffered equally or worse typically receive $20 and a bus ticket if they are fortunate enough to ever be released.
Select the link below to donate directly to Washington to help him with legal and other expenses. Most of these inhumanely sentenced inmates don't remember the last time they were able to buy personal items or snacks from the commissary. No donation is too small. JPAY is used for state inmates and Western Union for federal.
No Harsh Justice inmate has ever been convicted of a violent crime.
Donate to Washington's Legal Fund (Select South Carolina, Inmate ID=240109)
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