Injustice and The Scott Sisters
January 3, 2011
by Fran Gandy-Walsh
|The opinions expressed herein are those of the author, and not necessarily those of The New Agenda.
Many people, including the media, were not aware of the two Scott Sisters, Jamie & Gladys Scott, who served 16 years for armed robbery, netting them $11.00.
Last week Govern Haley Barbour granted them clemency. You can reach his statement here. I believe that part of the reason the media did not have coverage of this case is because there are more males in prison than women. Women locked up are often the forgotten ones.
There were many groups of people besides NAACP helping to free the sisters, one such group was Solitary Watch which was started by James Ridgeway. He has much data on the treatment of people locked up. Back in Oct 2010, Bob Herbert wrote an article in NY Times, The Mississippi Pardons. He opens the window as to five other cases in which Governor Barbour’s has a role in pardoning, and four of out the five, were men who were released for killing wives and girlfriends. The 5th one had killed an elderly man. That made me leap up out of my chair. That was when I took action to help free the sisters.
Through many different efforts Governor Barbour did release the sisters, and Jamie who suffers from Chronic Kidney Disease, and will begin preparations for transplantation this year, and hopefully her sister Gladys will be the donor.
The plight of the Scott Sisters hit home for me for several reasons, because my husband also suffers from Chronic Kidney Disease, and it is through our son, that this year we will be proceeding with our transplant team. The one big difference between them, is that she is diabetic, and he is not. His came about due to prostrate issues. I know what our experiences have been like, and don’t even want to think what her experiences were while sitting a cell seeking treatment, and following a specialized diet. I suspect she had a ratty diet, that likely caused the disease to progress quicker. We’ve had excellent counseling, that included mental health well being. And we had medications that she likely did not qualify for, heck when he had mersa we couldn’t afford the cost, and our insurance would not cover the best medicine available. Fighting infection after infection, weakens you to a point of danger, and high risk. I use germidical disposable wipes for everything in the home, and even in the car, and even when I go to the doctors or hospitals. It is a must. Believe me no one shares my husband’s bathroom.
I have to say that I don’t think Gov. Barbour understands this disease, or he would have perhaps considered releasing her before the point of Stage 5, and as it is she still doesn’t have a release date, it could be months away. It’s very important for her to get her transplant team in place, and to begin the battery of testing needed to be done on a regular basis, which will include psychologist among other specialized personnel.
It should be noted that the judge in the Scott Sisters case, was District 4 Judge, Marcus Gordon. You might not be aware, but he is the same Judge that gave Edgar Ray Killer (Mississippi Burning, 1964) a lesser count of manslaughter for the three civil rights workers that were murdered in Philadelphia, Ms.
Actually, he only suspended their sentence, he didn’t grant them clemency. So apparently if the kidney transplant doesn’t happen for some reason, he can throw them back in the slammer.
Nice.
Yes, if their conditions of release are not met, he has the right to return them to jail. They have not been released yet, processing takes 45 days, and will
go to Florida where they have family. Will see what kind of conflict arises with Florida’s state laws.
Mersa is M.R.S.A., methicillin resistant staphylocus aureus = staph bacteria that is resistant to anitbiotics.
Correction, Edgar Ray Killen (not Killer).
I don’t like Governor Barbour and surely he has questional judgement when it comes to who he chooses to pardon or not pardon. What I do not understand is the constant referencing by many to the fact that these two women only netted $11 while committing armed robbery. Two weeks ago a close friend of mine was held up by armed gun men. I don’t know how much money they took from him before the police showed up and sent the perps fleeing. My friends life was about to end as one thug yelled to his accomplice-”finish him off.” By the grace of God police had been patroling the area and rounded the coner just in time to scare away the would be murderers. I don’t know how much money they stole from my friend, as it would be the last thing I would think to ask him or even think about until this story of the two sister theives (and their $11 job) started getting attention. Too many of my friends have been held up at gun point. Most of them in front of or very near to their own homes. There clearly is a double standard here among the criminals who get pardoned by Barbour and those who don’t. But quite honestly my simpathy does not go out to these women. Their actions could have easily resulted in someones death, and the fact that it was all for $11 dollars makes it even more absurd.
Today innocent women and girls are being degraded, raped, murdered mutilated and yes, held at gun point. I will focus my efforts on them.
But Fran please be assure that my prayers are with you your son and husband. I hope that all will go very well with the transplant and that both your husband and son will recover fully and quickly from the surgery.
I figured he let them out because of the cost savings to the state of Mississippi. He saves the cost of keeping them in prison and the cost of dialysis since the sisters are moving to Florida. I guess I am just cynical. I am very concerned about the governor letting men who kill women the are supposed to love or vulnerable elderly folks out of prison. That wouldn’t happen in my state, of course we have a woman Governor. I am glad these women had someone working for them.
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