Joel Daigle gets life for stealing unloaded antique guns while off his meds
Daigle was arrested for stealing DVDs, tools and 3 unloaded antique rifles.
The man whose house was broken into asked that the judge give Daigle a sentence not to exceed 5 to 10 years. However, because of the antique rifles the sentence was mandatory. The judge’s hands were tied, and Daigle received a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Daigle has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. His wife had tried to seek professional help for him, but because the family did not have health insurance and struggled to make ends meet, Daigle could not afford sustained mental health treatment.
As a result, Daigle's wife says says he often turned to “self-medication” to “regain his mental balance and emotional stability.”Unfortunately, she said, “Self-medicating in reality [is part of] addiction. My husband has battled an on-and-off drug addiction for many of years.”
According to both Daigle and his wife, at the time of his crime, he was depressed and self-medicating with narcotics in an attempt to treat his bipolar disorder.
While Daigle has been in prison he has completed a parenting class. His father, wife, and two sons visit him twice a year.
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 Daigle 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 Daigle's Legal Fund (Select Florida, Inmate ID=K60725)
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