Tonight's Private Stock News: Purple Edition featured two critical justice reform stories affecting both incarcerated and free citizens across Louisiana and the nation.
LEAD STORY: HELMSTETTER SUPREME COURT PETITION
Our lead story covered Marlo Helmstetter's petition to the Supreme Court challenging how federal courts handle compassionate release requests. Helmstetter's case argues that seven circuit courts, including the Fifth Circuit, are improperly denying relief by only considering sentencing factors without first determining if "extraordinary and compelling reasons" exist - a clear requirement in the statute.
If successful, this petition could establish uniform standards benefiting thousands of incarcerated individuals seeking relief under the First Step Act's compassionate release provisions. Helmstetter's attorneys are urging public support to ensure the justice system follows its own rules when evaluating second chances.
SECOND STORY: LOUISIANA SPLIT JURY BILL FACES FINAL PUSH
Our second story followed the continuing battle over Louisiana's non-unanimous jury verdicts. With just one month remaining in the legislative session, advocates are making a final push to revive Senate Bill 218, which was rejected last week by Republican state senators in a 9-26 party-line vote.
The bill would create a path for approximately 1,000 Louisiana inmates convicted by non-unanimous juries to seek new trials, including Corey "C-Murder" Miller, who continues fighting for freedom after being convicted by a 10-2 jury verdict in 2009.
Despite the Supreme Court ruling split jury verdicts unconstitutional in 2020, Louisiana remains the only state refusing to apply this ruling retroactively. Senator Royce Duplessis, who authored the bill, emphasized that rejecting this measure suggests "justice has an expiration date."
Private Stock News: Purple Edition will continue following both these critical justice reform issues in the days ahead.
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