Susan Lafevre
A 19 year old girl was arrested in 1974 for selling heroin to an undercover cop and sentenced to 10-20 years in a Michigan prison. She escaped from prison eight months later and started a new life in California as Marie Walsh. She kept a low profile for 32 years, trying to escape her past life as Susan LeFevre. She raised three children with her husband of 23 years, Alan, who never knew she was using an assumed identity. (Morin, K. 2011) (Mail Online, 2011)
In March 2008, authorities received an anonymous online tip that Walsh was living in suburban San Diego. Investigators confirmed her identity, and federal marshals pulled Walsh over in the neighborhood of where she lived. Walsh was back in the Michigan prison system where she pleaded guilty to escape. She was sentenced to five years probation and 18 months of parole. In January 2009, parole board members voted unanimously to free her. (Morin, K. 2011) (Mail Online, 2011)
In conclusion, I feel like she was punished unfairly. She didn’t have to do much time at all after being charged for heroin and escape. They felt that she had been a model citizen since she escaped, and that she didn’t deserve to serve any further time. They didn’t look at the fact that she had no choice but to stay out of trouble in order to not get caught. Her ex-boyfriend that she got in trouble with in 1974 was released two years after their arrest. Therefore a 2 year sentence with the escape charge included would have been fair. Although her sentence was unfair in my opinion, I’m glad that her family doesn’t have to suffer not having her around for that long. She has also written a book to help motivate others to stay from behind bars.
References
(Morin, K., Marie Walsh, www.mlive.com, 2011)
(Mail Online, Marie Walsh, www.dailymail.com,
In March 2008, authorities received an anonymous online tip that Walsh was living in suburban San Diego. Investigators confirmed her identity, and federal marshals pulled Walsh over in the neighborhood of where she lived. Walsh was back in the Michigan prison system where she pleaded guilty to escape. She was sentenced to five years probation and 18 months of parole. In January 2009, parole board members voted unanimously to free her. (Morin, K. 2011) (Mail Online, 2011)
In conclusion, I feel like she was punished unfairly. She didn’t have to do much time at all after being charged for heroin and escape. They felt that she had been a model citizen since she escaped, and that she didn’t deserve to serve any further time. They didn’t look at the fact that she had no choice but to stay out of trouble in order to not get caught. Her ex-boyfriend that she got in trouble with in 1974 was released two years after their arrest. Therefore a 2 year sentence with the escape charge included would have been fair. Although her sentence was unfair in my opinion, I’m glad that her family doesn’t have to suffer not having her around for that long. She has also written a book to help motivate others to stay from behind bars.
References
(Morin, K., Marie Walsh, www.mlive.com, 2011)
(Mail Online, Marie Walsh, www.dailymail.com,
References: (Morin, K., Marie Walsh, www.mlive.com, 2011) (Mail Online, Marie Walsh, www.dailymail.com, 2011)