President Donald Trump has commuted the life sentence of Alice Marie Johnson, a week after Kim Kardashian visited The White to personally lobby the President on her behalf.
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The 63-year old grandmother and great grandmother was sentenced to life in prison in 1996 for a non-violent drug offense. He is considering doing the same for others.
Alice Marie Johnson was given life sentence without parole in 1996 for drug trafficking.
As a first-time offender, Johnson was sentenced to life without no parole, a sentence that was criticized as being too harsh and not befitting the crime.
The commutation which has been hailed and celebrated by Johnson and her family comes after Kim K championed Johnson’s case after learning of it through a viral video produced by Mic.
Kim Kardashian West with President Trump at The White House on May 30, 2018. Credit: The White House
“BEST NEWS EVER!!!!” and “So grateful to #RealDonaldTrump” tweeted Kardashian after learning of the commutation.
Speaking of Johnson, Kardashian added that “Her commutation is inspirational and gives hope to so many others who are also deserving of a second chance.
Kim Kardashian and lawyer Shawn Chapman Holley (L) pictured arriving at The White House on Wednesday, May 30 2018. Credit: AP
“I hope to continue this important work by working together with organizations who have been fighting this fight for much longer than I have and deserve the recognition,”
Alice Marie Johnson was granted clemency by President Trump after serving over 20 years in prison.
In a statement announcing the commutation, the White House said that Ms. Johnson has been a model prisoner who had worked hard to rehabilitate herself during incarceration.
“Ms. Johnson has accepted responsibility for her past behaviour and has been a model prisoner over the past two decades. Despite receiving a life sentence, Alice worked hard to rehabilitate herself in prison and act as a mentor to her fellow inmates,” read the statement.
Alice Marie Johnson now a grandmother and great-grandmother spent over 20 years in prison for drug before receiving a Presidential Pardon. Credit: Facebook
Kim Kardashian leaving The White House after meeting with President Trump on May 30, 2018. Credit: Reuters
The White House through the statement also pointed out that while the Administration believed in being tough on crime, it believed in giving a second chance to those who tried to better themselves in prison.
Kim Kardashian going to Ivanka and Jared Kushner’s home after The White House meeting. Credit: The Daily Mail
By giving Ms. Johnson clemency, the President believes that individuals who have “paid their debt to society” should be allowed to return to civilian life.
Ivanka Trump seen entering her home where she had dinner with Kim Kardashian after The White House meeting on May 30, 2018. Credit: Daily Mail
For the Trump Administration, the commutation of Ms. Johnson is a start on tackling similar cases involving thousands still behind bars. It is also a focus on dealing with Prison Reform and addressing issues of harsh sentences for non-violent crimes often by first-time offenders on what has been criticized an unequal justice system that incarcerates more minorities.
Kim Kardashian and Ivanka Trump seen through the window at the Kushner’s home. Credit: Daily Mail
Kim Kardashian leaving Ivanka and Jared Kushner’s house after dinner. Credit: Daily Mail
While President Trump may have commuted Ms. Johnson’s sentence, the felony charges will nonetheless remain on her criminal record and cannot be expunged.
Kim Kardashian posted this tweet celebrating the commutation by President Trump. Credit: Twitter
Johnson was convicted in 1996 and sentenced to life in prison for one count of money laundering and five counts of drug trafficking despite being a first-time offender. Although her pleas for clemency were denied by Barack Obama in 2017, it is President Trump who granted the commutation after Kim Kardashian went to the White House on May 31stand personally lobbied the President for her release.
So grateful to @realDonaldTrump, Jared Kushner & to everyone who has showed compassion & contributed countless hours to this important moment for Ms. Alice Marie Johnson. Her commutation is inspirational & gives hope to so many others who are also deserving of a second chance.
— Kim Kardashian (@KimKardashian) June 6, 2018
Alice Marie Johnson is finally free at last and is back with her family thanks to President Trump.
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