Miss. House votes to lift 85 percent rule on some sentences

Local News

February 26, 2008

Anonymous Picayune Item Tue Feb 26, 2008, 11:32 AM CST

Jackson — Nonviolent offenders who sell marijuana or resell prescription drugs on the streets would become eligible for shorter prison sentences, under a bill that passed the Mississippi House on a divided vote.

House Corrections Committee Chairman Bennett Malone, D-Carthage, said Mississippi’s prison budget has grown dramatically since the mid-1990s, when the state enacted a law requiring all felons to serve at least 85 percent of their sentences before being considered for parole.

A bill that passed the House 69-52 Monday would lift the 85 percent rule for people convicted of selling marijuana or reselling prescription drugs. Those offenders would become eligible for parole after serving 25 percent of their time.

The bill moves to the Senate for more debate.

This is not the first time lawmakers have considered easing the 85 percent rule for some offenders, and it is unclear how the proposal will fare in the Senate. While lawmakers are trying to control spending, many campaigned on promises to be tough on crime.

Rep. Mark Formby, R-Picayune, argued against easing the 85 percent rule for any felons. He said his aunt was killed by “a would-be burglar who was just a crackhead” who had been in and out of prison for convictions of several nonviolent offenses.

“My aunt stepped out of her kitchen and she caught a bullet in her chest,” Formby said.

Rep. David Myers, D-McComb, said his older brother was murdered by a habitual criminal, but he argued that it’s a good idea to ease the 85 percent rule for some offenses, saying some judges are giving disproportionately long sentences and the state budget is strained.

“The state of Mississippi can no longer afford to have a lock-up, lock-up attitude,” Myers said.

Mississippi lawmakers enacted the 85 percent rule for all convicted felons in 1994. The law started having an impact during the 1995 state budget year.

Some lawmakers Monday asked Malone whether people convicted of selling marijuana or reselling prescription drugs to children would still face the 85 percent rule for sentencing. Malone said the bill did not keep the stronger penalty for people selling to minors, but he would try to add such provisions later this session if the bill goes into negotiations between the House and Senate.

Rep. Alex Monsour Jr., R-Vicksburg, said that wasn’t good enough. He said three minors in Warren County were killed by using illegal drugs late last year.

“It’s time we started worrying about these kids that have been killed by drugs,” Monsour said.

House Judiciary A Committee Chairman Ed Blackmon, D-Canton, is an attorney who often defends people facing felony charges. He implored his House colleagues to consider the effect a long prison sentence would have on a promising young person who messes up and gets caught with marijuana.

“Everybody in this room has had a second chance,” Blackmon said. “So don’t be afraid of giving someone else a second chance.”

Other bills that passed the House and move to the Senate for more work:

OBESITY — House Bill 1369 would authorize the University of Mississippi Medical Center to establish an obesity clinic in the Delta, using federal money or private grants.

IMMIGRANTS — House Bill 1327 would create a task force to study the effects of immigration, legal and illegal, on poverty in Mississippi.

FARMER’S MARKET — House Bill 1080 would allow the University of Mississippi Medical Center to take over land near its campus that is now occupied by an old farmer’s market. Only a few vendors have continued to work at the site since the Department of Agriculture and Commerce opened a newer farmer’s market near the State Fairgrounds.

Bills that passed the Senate and move to the House for more work:

DRUG COURTS — Senate Bill 2246 would require an advisory committee to establish a fiscally responsible plan to expand the use of drug courts.

CLASSROOMS — Senate Bill 2913 would establish a “Troops to Teachers” program to help military veterans pursue teaching as a second career.

The bill is House Bill 729.

Text Only

Local News

Bar fight ends in man being run over
A bar fight Friday morning resulted in one man being run over by the other with a pickup truck.
The fight was reported to Picayune Police officers Friday morning at about 1:44 at the American Legion Hall on Union School Road, said Capt. Chad Dorn.

February 4, 2012
Arson suspected at possible murder site
Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department investigators suspect arson was involved in a structure fire that occurred at a home where James Raine was killed last year.
The home at 24 Emma Lane was the scene of what investigators believe was the murder of the 37-year-old Raine in October, 2011.

February 4, 2012 1 Photo
Inmate escapes leaving father’s wake
Johnny Hall Jr., 30, escaped from Mississippi Department of Corrections custody Friday afternoon while attending his father’s wake in Picayune.

February 4, 2012
Inmate escapes from funeral procession
State inmate Johnny Hall, Jr., escaped from two Wilkinson County Correctional Facility officers’ custody today at approximately 12:30 p.m. while being escorted from his father’s wake at the Picayune Funeral Home in Picayune, Miss.

February 3, 2012
REPAIRING GAS LEAK
Contract and city workers were at this gas leak on Beech Street installing a clamp.

February 3, 2012 1 Photo
CAMELLIA SHOW
The Poplarville Garden Club Community Camellia Show is today in the lobby of the Poplarville branch of Hancock Bank.

February 3, 2012 1 Photo
Local gas prices continue a gradual upward trend
From Monday to Thursday, the per gallon price of regular gasoline at RaceTrac jumped six cents, from $3.289 to $3.349. RaceTrac sets the pace in Pearl River County for the lowest posted price, and Wal-Mart and Bill’s Quick Stop at Mississippi Highway 43 and East Canal quickly follow.

February 3, 2012 1 Photo
StennisSphere closing
StennisSphere is closing it’s doors to make way for a new tourist attraction, and to help increase security at John C. Stennis Space Center. According to a press release from Stennis, the tourist attraction officially will close in mid February.

February 3, 2012
ENJOYING THE RAIN
These ducks weren’t phased by Wednesday’s rainy conditions.

February 2, 2012 1 Photo
Picayune featured in “Blondie” comic strip
Occupy Picayune?
All Mr. Dithers wants to see occupied is Dagwood’s desk chair.
That is part of the adventures of Dagwood Bumstead, which includes a mention of the City of Picayune in Friday’s “Blondie” comic strip, which appears in the Picayune Item as a daily feature.
Picayune’s mention in Friday’s strip that also is released in other publications gives Picayune a name recognition boost worldwide, says the artist who draws the feature, Frank Cummings, a former Picayune resident and former employee of the Picayune Item.

February 2, 2012 1 Photo
More Local News Headlines

Local News

Search Results

Miss. House votes to lift 85 percent rule on some sentences

Site Map

Contact Us