Paul Carter sentenced to life without parole for possession of a trace amount of heroin
Two New Orleans police officers investigating narcotics activity on a street corner near a housing project observed Carter with a plastic bag, standing with another man. Reportedly because they believed Carter was about to make a drug sale, police searched him; they found a hypodermic needle and a bottle cap in Carter’s coat pocket.
Police also found a small amount of powder inside a piece of foil on the ground, which prosecutors said Carter had thrown. The residue in the bottle cap and the small amount of powder inside the piece of foil tested positive for heroin; the syringe was clean.
A New Orleans Police Department criminalist testified for the prosecution that “the amounts were too insignificant to weigh.” Police also found fake crack rocks on Carter, which he said he was selling in order to obtain heroin for his own use.
Carter was convicted of possession of heroin. He was initially sentenced to 10 years in prison as a third-strike habitual offender, but after the prosecutor won a motion to reconsider his sentence, Carter was resentenced to life without parole. Carter’s sentence was based on two prior convictions, one for simple escape at age 18, and the other for possession of stolen property at age 21.
Of his sentencing, Carter says it feels “like the life within you is taken away."
While imprisoned, he has earned his GED, completed courses in anger management and culinary arts, and is receiving substance abuse treatment. Carter wishes he could be given one more chance to become a productive citizen, and wishes to help prevent others from following the same path.
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 Carter 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 Carter's Legal Fund (Select Louisiana, Inmate ID=168797)
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