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Speaker calls minimum sentences unfair
By Laraine Weschler on 3/6/08
Mandatory minimum sentences for first-time drug offenders are unfair, according to Mike Short, whose 19-year sentence President Bush recently commuted.
Short spoke Thursday about his experience with the judicial system during a Justice Not Jails event in Mary Graydon Center.
Short said that after he graduated from high school in Maryland, a jury convicted him at age 21 for distributing of 63 grams of crack, a refined version of cocaine. Officials released him from prison Dec. 18 after he served 15 years and eight months of a 19-year sentence.
He said the sentences some drug abusers receive are too harsh.
"We broke the law," he said. "We should go to jail. But for life?"
Short said he was convicted based on two informants' testimony, rather than any physical evidence. One of the people who testified against Short had his sentence reduced to six years, but was later incarcerated multiple times.
Prosecutors often offer reduced sentences to those who testify against their peers, Short said.
Lies can sentence someone to jail for life, he said.
Short said officials offered him a shorter sentence if he testified against associates, but he refused.
"I just don't believe in telling," he said. "I'm not going to ruin someone else's life just because I sold drugs."
Short said he was on the varsity basketball team in high school and got involved in drug dealer-hosted games despite coming from a good family background.
"Drug dealing is so easy," he said. "There is no right way to do wrong."
While in jail, Short said his mother and nine other family members died. He said he spent his time earning an associate's degree in business management and several fitness certifications. He now works at a Bally Total Fitness location.
Longer sentences do not prove a point, according to Short. What people do once they get out of prison is up to the individual.
"You can become a better criminal if you choose to in prison," he said.
Short spoke Thursday about his experience with the judicial system during a Justice Not Jails event in Mary Graydon Center.
Short said that after he graduated from high school in Maryland, a jury convicted him at age 21 for distributing of 63 grams of crack, a refined version of cocaine. Officials released him from prison Dec. 18 after he served 15 years and eight months of a 19-year sentence.
He said the sentences some drug abusers receive are too harsh.
"We broke the law," he said. "We should go to jail. But for life?"
Short said he was convicted based on two informants' testimony, rather than any physical evidence. One of the people who testified against Short had his sentence reduced to six years, but was later incarcerated multiple times.
Prosecutors often offer reduced sentences to those who testify against their peers, Short said.
Lies can sentence someone to jail for life, he said.
Short said officials offered him a shorter sentence if he testified against associates, but he refused.
"I just don't believe in telling," he said. "I'm not going to ruin someone else's life just because I sold drugs."
Short said he was on the varsity basketball team in high school and got involved in drug dealer-hosted games despite coming from a good family background.
"Drug dealing is so easy," he said. "There is no right way to do wrong."
While in jail, Short said his mother and nine other family members died. He said he spent his time earning an associate's degree in business management and several fitness certifications. He now works at a Bally Total Fitness location.
Longer sentences do not prove a point, according to Short. What people do once they get out of prison is up to the individual.
"You can become a better criminal if you choose to in prison," he said.
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