Amy Locane, US Justice system - thoughts?

[MistressoftheDarkSide]

www.theguardian.com/law/2021/mar/10/to-get-thrown-back-in-jail-its-cruel-the-legal-nightmare-of-actor-amy-locane

First let me say that obviously Amy Locane committed a crime, killed someone and should absolutely have served time etc.

I'm posting this here because she is a woman and also I thought it would get more traction perhaps than on a more obscure board.

I would like any insight from US posters who may understand the US justice system better than I do who can give me their knowledge and opinions too.

In the article an expert says this is an unprecedented situation, and what strikes me is the dogged determination to keep going after her until the apparently "desired" result was achieved. I didn't think that is how the law operated. A sentence extension while still incarcerated can be argued, but after being released on parole and being free for five years with no further offences and apparently successful rehabilitation, it seems bonkers, and as said in the article, a dangerous precedent.

Also, while I understand the bereaved family's desire for justice to their standards, doing this will place focus on Amy and her "plight" and brings her back into a limelight that many may feel is not deserved, rather than the focus being on the victim.

And of course there is the niggle that there may be some element of sex bias - women are often punished more harshly for their transgressions by justice systems in general. But I repeat, I do not believe she should have been treated "leniently" because she caused a senseless death - my main concern is the apparent inconsistency of the system.

So, please add your thoughts, as I'm really conflicted about this case.

Oh my goodness what a horribly sad read, I can't help but think this is about who she killed rather than the fact she killed someone and their desire to get what they see as the 'correct' outcome. This is why families shouldn't have a say in court outcomes, harsh as that seems. There's something about it that I feel is deeply troubling.

I think this comment on the GF Me page sums up what I think is so wrong here.

There are very few people who don't deserve a second chance. Being punished a second time after believing you have served your punishment is morally obscence. When Iran does it to Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe we call it a human rights abuse. Its no different for Amy.

It seems to me more about the reaction of the victim's family, and the perceived high value of the victim.
I find it strange that three judges can consider the sentence correct, but a fourth can the double it.

I found this troubling too, both for the individuals concerned and the potential for setting a dangerous precedent. Whether or not the original sentence was too lenient (it does seem a bit light but presumably they have such things as sentencing guidelines in the US too?) it can’t be right to go back after such a long period of time and reimprison someone for the same crime. I completely agree with the pp that this has all been heavily influenced by who the victim was. Had she hit and killed a poor black woman, for example, I can’t imagine she’d have been going back to prison.

@AfternoonToffee

That is my feeling also

www.lipstickalley.com/threads/actress-amy-locane-is-sent-back-to-prison-for-eight-years-for-killing-a-woman-60-in-2010-dui-crash.3923892/

Comments BLT on this article are divided but on the legal front there is a fair amount of dissent from professionals, and one poster highlighted the fact that the victims husband who also almost died, is a New York attorney and hence may have connections and leverage not available to the majority.

Food for thought.

Seems like there is a consensus here - I think this deserves rigorous legal examination. Justice is supposed to be blind. This rather underlines it really isn't.

And yet Anne Sacoolos is walking around free despite fleeing the country and the US refuse to let us extradite her!

The GF Me page seems to have disappeared, it was there as I quoted from it less than 30 minutes ago.

@AfternoonToffee

How odd. I just went to look and couldn't find it either.

Tried the Guardian link and it comes up campaign not found.

I hope this is a technical glitch - if they have been compelled to take it down for some legal reason I hope it's explained.

Quite the coincidence that its vanishing coincides with a UK MSM outlet publicising the case today.

This is chilling. I tend to think the original sentence was a bit lenient but it's terrible to revisit it after so long, that just can't be fair. How can you expect people to give post-jail life a good go if this could be hanging over their heads for the rest of their lives?