An Oklahoma City shoplifter sentenced to life in prison will get another chance.
The U.S. Supreme Court has vacated the penalty for Cecilia Rodriguez, who was convicted in 2009 of stealing from a local department store.
But the justices on the Supreme Court decided the punishment doesn't fit the crime.
"I'm still in a kind of shock. We've been trying to raise some money to get help," said Geneva Gabriel, Rodriguez's mother.
Rodriguez's family learned she would spend life behind bars after she pleaded guilty to grand larceny, so it was a big relief to them Thursday after the sentence was vacated.
The Supreme Court ordered the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals to reconsider the sentence in light of another case in which a man did not receive adequate legal representation during the plea-bargaining process.
Rodriguez pleaded guilty to stealing two purses from a Dillard's department store three years ago. Authorities said each purse was worth more than $250.
At the time, the Oklahoma County district judge called Rodriguez a "one-person crime wave."
During the 2009 trial, the judge learned Rodriguez was convicted nearly 30 times for theft-related crimes.
Rodriguez's attorney said her client is hopeful she will receive a lesser sentence. Source
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
2 comments:
She will be right back at stealing , it's in the blood .
When one isn't smart enough to learn from their mistakes then the need to deal with the consequences. Three strike rule and i believe in it. And idc what it is.you can get caught spitting on the side walk over and over.if its a law and is in some places .....and you can't learn to quit than your obviously a person that has no regard for the law or society.
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