Full Pardon for Richard Paey

Radley Balko | September 20, 2007

Wonderful news.

The article even mentions some talk from Florida Attorney General and ardent drug warrior Bill McCullum about revisiting state and federal mandatory minimums.

Jacob Sullum on Paey's plight here. 

Comments

Russ 2000|9.20.07 @ 11:52AM|#

The state's parole commission recommended denying a pardon for Paey...Crist and the Cabinet unanimously agreed to grant him a full pardon

Seems like the parole board has no idea what their bosses want.

|9.20.07 @ 11:53AM|#

Wow, that's amazing news. I don't usually get too worked up about politics but this story featured such cruelty, abusiveness, and outright evil that I could never read about it without becoming some mixture of sad, angry, and hopeless.

I am so glad to see that justice can still work in this country. I am so happy for Paey, his family and friends. I hope he can get on with his life.

Maybe there should be a small fund to get him back on his feet financially?

One other thing: I'm writing a letter of appreciation to Gov. Charlie Crist and I will also enclose a campaign contribution.

VM|9.20.07 @ 11:55AM|#

THANK YOU, Radley for reporting this.

The reporter, Marc Caputo begins his story, "Richard Paey, a victim in the war on drugs..."

and "...They [Gov Crist and Cabinet] also acknowledged that the state's drug laws might be unfair.

''This is not a pleasant case,'' said Attorney General Bill McCollum, who noted that he supported mandatory-minimum sentences when he was in Congress. ``Our laws are very much to blame.''"

Timothy|9.20.07 @ 11:59AM|#

YES! Finally, something sensible in this case.

|9.20.07 @ 12:00PM|#

''This is not a pleasant case,'' said Attorney General Bill McCollum, who noted that he supported mandatory-minimum sentences when he was in Congress. ``Our laws are very much to blame.''

But so are the prosecutors in Pasco County, said Paey's wife, Linda Paey, who said she couldn't understand why they zealously pursued her husband through three trials despite the widespread acknowledgement that he was a pain victim and not a drug dealer.

''I've changed. I no longer trust the police. I don't trust the justice system,'' she said. ``Only the media got our case right.''

And of "the media" I think it's safe to say one "Radley Balko" did the heavy lifting. Good job Mr. Universe. I raise my glass to you sir.

|9.20.07 @ 12:03PM|#

Good news, indeed.

Who says the media never reports good news? :)

The only negative I can see is that I'm fairly sure that there are those who think this is a bad decision on the part of Crist and McCollum. And that they will use it against them in the next election. Or the Republican primary anyway.

Both have been attacked in the past by the party. McCollum's support for gay rights likely cost him the Senate nomination when he ran.

ed|9.20.07 @ 12:10PM|#

The link to the Miami Herald story allows you to post a response. No registration, instant gratification. I can't think of an easier way to let their editors and readers know what sensible people think about this, and perhaps in some small way influence editorial policy at the Herald and public perception in general.

Jennifer|9.20.07 @ 12:11PM|#

Hooray!

|9.20.07 @ 12:12PM|#

Isaac,
I doubt it. I think it more likely Crist's hand was forced by his constituency. Remember half of Florida (and most the one's who vote) are retirees on medication.

|9.20.07 @ 12:20PM|#

Yay! I'm so happy that this miscarriage of justice has been rolled back.

|9.20.07 @ 12:23PM|#

It's nice to see a little good news on this front. It happens so rarely.

|9.20.07 @ 12:25PM|#

Hey, there is some hope for my home state after all. Excellent decision by Governor Crist. Never could've happened while Jeb was still in office.

|9.20.07 @ 12:31PM|#

I thought he was arrested and indicted on the 58 pills (or was it 40) that he had on him at the time and not for the full amount that he had been prescribed over the last few years as the Miami Herald story indicates.

Anyway, excellent news!

|9.20.07 @ 12:33PM|#

Now the question is, will they allow a doctor to prescribe the medication he needs?

|9.20.07 @ 12:34PM|#

"I've changed. I no longer trust the police. I don't trust the justice system," Linda Paey

Same here. 'nuff said.

dhex|9.20.07 @ 12:36PM|#

wow. this is pretty excellent news.

|9.20.07 @ 12:59PM|#

This just made my day. Good luck Mr. Paey!

Gray Ghost|9.20.07 @ 1:05PM|#

Thank you, Radley. I don't think this happens without the publicity that your tireless work has brought to this case. Let's hope that your hard work in other areas lead to changes there too.

|9.20.07 @ 1:08PM|#

The state's parole commission recommended denying clemency for Paey, who was only seeking to have his prison sentence commuted. But after his lawyer, wife and four children wept and pleaded for Paey's release, Crist and the Cabinet went further than Paey expected by unanimously agreeing to grant him a full pardon -- meaning he'll have the right to vote and carry firearms.

I think Mr. Paey could be forgiven if he fantasized about carrying those firearms to the next meeting of the state parole commission.

|9.20.07 @ 1:09PM|#

Remember half of Florida (and most the one's who vote) are retirees on medication.

Good point. It's especially hard to forget if you live here.

ed|9.20.07 @ 1:18PM|#

You mean the retirees who tend to support the war on drugs?

|9.20.07 @ 1:43PM|#

Great to hear. For once, I'm not filled with rage after reading one of Radley articles. Great work bringing this and the other cases to light.

I have to admit I'm very surprised at McCollum. I've had little respect for him, but if he can change his mind, (better yet, work to change the laws), I'll be happy to change mine.

|9.20.07 @ 2:03PM|#

I second Warren and raise my glass to you, Mr. Balko. I'll raise it again and hope for similar results for Cory Maye and the Rack N Roll Billiards Club.

|9.20.07 @ 3:05PM|#

ed,
Yes they do. But they're not drug users/dealers because they have a doctors prescription. Prescribed drugs are good drugs not the bad drugs the War On Drugs is fighting.

|9.20.07 @ 3:23PM|#

YIPPEEEE! I'm so happy, I just did the Dance of Joy right here at my desk.

What wonderful news!

Thank you Radley, for helping to keep this in the spotlight.

ed|9.20.07 @ 3:36PM|#

Prescribed drugs are good drugs not the bad drugs the War On Drugs is fighting.

Correct. In the minds of (most of) the retirees, if the government says it's bad, it's bad. End of story. Damn hippies! I need a drink (approved drug).

Alice Bowie|9.20.07 @ 3:37PM|#

Great News....

Can u imagine 25 years for that.

They should cut off the prosecutors feet, cortorize his stumps...and deny him any pain medication.

|9.20.07 @ 4:34PM|#

Now maybe they could release Dr. Rottschaefer, Dr. Hurwitz, etc.

|9.20.07 @ 11:37PM|#

I believe only the Great White Father (or Mother if Hill gets in) can pardon those guys, Jason. Not gonna happen.

Duckman|9.21.07 @ 11:11AM|#

This is awesome. I live in Florida and I'll remember this come re-election time.

|9.21.07 @ 4:53PM|#

This is good news. The media were the heroes in this case.