Travis Bourda sentenced to life for marijuana while his attorney does nothing to represent him
Bourda, a 29-year-old oil rigger, was arrested for possession and intent to distribute a quarter pound of marijuana, although no marijuana was found in his possession.
He says his court-appointed counsel filed no motions, failed to investigate, and made no objections at trial.
The trial judge initially sentenced Bourda to eight years as a habitual offender because of his prior convictions when he was 19, and distribution of marijuana.
The judge said, “I believe a life sentence under the circumstances would be an unconstitutional sentence considering the charge was possession with intent to distribute marijuana, and that the amount of marijuana involved was not significant.”
But the prosecutor felt the sentence was too light and appealed and he was resentenced to life without parole.
Bourda talks with his family twice a week and has taken educational, religious, substance abuse, welding, and anger management classes in prison.
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.
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