Christopher Eugene Howard has spent the last 15 holiday seasons in prison because he was caught with five grams of crack cocaine on him.
He’ll be home for this one.
On Friday, the 56-year-old man was released nine years early from prison after Cobb County district attorney Vic Reynolds decided so.
March 2016: Two Georgians among 61 drug dealers granted shorter sentences
READ | Georgia prosecutors push to free imprisoned low-level drug offenders
“I am firmly convinced that Mr. Howard has served an appropriate amount of time, and I am convinced he will be a productive member of society,” Reynolds said.
In late 2002, Howard was convicted of enough crack that cops though he was trying to sell. He had a history of drug and theft offenses, prosecutors said, so in January 2003 when he was sentenced, he got 25 years in prison.
Like Cobb County News Now on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter
And that was that — until this summer when the Prosecuting Attorneys' Council of Georgia and elected DAs around the state agreed to take a fresh look at old sentences for nonviolent drug offenders and re-evaluate whether the sentences were appropriate.
Reynolds is considering 15 other cases, but Howard’s case is the first he has taken an action on.
READ | Judges from Georgia (the country) visited court in Georgia (the state)
Howard's attorneys, who were with the Southern Center for Human Rights in Atlanta, said he had a "flawless" behavioral record and did horticultural work in prison, according to prosecutors.
The judge spoke to his family gathered in the courtroom.
“You’re making this possible, by helping his successful re-entry into society, and we want to recognize your important part,” said Cobb judge Stephen Schuster. “This is a good moment for the justice system.”
He added: “Good luck and Godspeed for the rest of your life.”
In other news:
About the Author
