From the Archives: Man asks for retrial after ‘excessive’ sentencing for stealing a candy bar
TYLER, Texas (KETK) — In this From the Archives report from 2000 we go back to a man requesting a new trial because he believed his sentence was too harsh for attempting to steal a candy bar from a gas station.
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“The Bible says thou shalt not steal, at 30-years-old he should have learned that,” the owner of the gas station said.
The DA said that the man had a long “rap sheet,” so they wanted to “lock him up.”
“You have to step in and draw the line to take the individual off the street,” the DA said.
The jury sentenced the man to 16 years in the penitentiary, some said that the reasons for doing so breached their duty. It was revealed in sworn affidavits that the jury admitted to discussing his reason for not taking the stand, and assumed he would be eligible for parole.
“His punishment range was in the same category as someone who would be convicted of a $100,00 to $200,000 theft,” the mans lawyer said.
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