A salon owner in Dallas, Texas, was sentenced to seven days behind bars for defying Governor Greg Abbott’s stay at home order. When Shelley Luther received a cease-and-desist letter from county officials telling her she must shut down her salon, she publicly ripped up the order.
Luther was given a chance to avoid jail time by Dallas Judge Eric Moye if she apologized for opening her salon and admitted that she was acting selfishly. She refused and said that she was trying to provide for her family and her employees.
“But I have to disagree with you, sir, when you say that I’m selfish because feeding my kids — is not selfish. I have hair stylists that are going hungry because they’d rather feed their kids. So sir, if you think the law is more important than kids getting fed, then please go ahead with your decision, but I am not going to shut the salon.”
In addition to seven days behind bars, Luther will also have to pay a $7,000 fine. Luther’s attorney, Warren Norred, said they will appeal the decision and that Luther plans to keep her salon doors open. She will continue to incur a daily fine of $500 until Friday (May 8), which is when Texas will allow salons to open their doors.
Photo: KTVT-TV