Shoplifted goods at Walmart valued at $188. Keith Barnes gets life without parole
Barnes was convicted of theft of goods at Walmart valued over $100. A self-described crack addict, Barnes later told the appellate court that he was on crack at the time he committed the crime.
Barnes was initially sentenced to two years in prison, the maximum sentence for the crime for which he was convicted, but was resentenced to life without parole as a third-strike felony offender under Louisiana’s habitual offender law.
Barnes had been convicted of armed robbery and theft as a teenager. Barnes says that he never hurt anyone in the commission of his crimes.
Read full story at ACLU Special Report. A Living Death: Life Without Parole for Nonviolent Offenses.
Many of the long serving inmates have no one left to support them. You can help by sharing their stories and asking others to do the same. Sign up to become an advocate for an inmate.
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 Barnes 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 Barnes' Legal Fund (Select Louisiana, Inmate ID=97205)
Note: 100% of your donation goes directly into the inmate's prison account.