Family Hopes For Early Release Of Man Imprisioned On Crack Cocaine Charges Federal Changes On Crack Cocaine Sentencing Could Mean Early Release OCALA - On a muggy spring afternoon last week, Isaac Shade stood on the wooden porch of his southwest Ocala home and spoke about the son he hasn't seen on a regular basis since January 2006. Cradling a photo taken when his son was 18, Shade seems to bear no grudge against Antoin Lamar, now 32, who was arrested under his very roof on possession of crack cocaine and handgun charges. [continues 1193 words]
WASHINGTON - Sen. Jeff Sessions, a one-time federal prosecutor, introduced a bill Tuesday that would reduce the "unconscionable" disparity in federal prison terms for crack and powder cocaine offenses. "The 100-to-1 disparity in sentencing between crack cocaine and powder cocaine is not justifiable ... these changes will make the criminal justice system more effective and fair," said the Republican senator and former Alabama attorney general. His bill is co-sponsored by Sens. Mark Pryor, D-Ark., John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Ken Salazar, D-Colo., all former attorney generals. [continues 473 words]
