Biden ex -Supreme Court pick J. Michelle Childs is being scrutinized for a sentence she handed out in 2009. The case involves a man sent away for 12 years for a non-violent marijuana charge. Progressives see it as a concern in a world redefining its views on weed.
Childs, currently a South Carolina federal district judge, is a nominee for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Advocates of Childs see the questioned decision as one of “thousands” the judge has presided over alongside a claim Childs always gave her support for “access to justice for criminal defendants.”
Progressive publication American Prospect reported that Childs sentenced William Roy Goodwin to 12 years after being pleading guilty to possession of a half-pound of weed. The prosecution used hidden camera footage to identify Goodwin as he sold eight ounces of marijuana to an undercover.
As a repeat offender, Goodwin understood he’d receive no less than five years. Prosecutors argued for a longer sentence and Childs agreed before laying the heavy dozen on Goodwin.
Liberal commentator Krystal Ball tweeted that the Goodwin sentencing was outrageous. Wisconsin Progressive Democrat Senator candidate Tom Nelson, who’s been vocal about opposing Childs’ nomination, said, “The hits keep coming. Now we learn Judge Childs tossed some guy in the clink for over a decade for taking too many tokes. How many more reasons do we need to reject her nomination?”
Free today, Goodwin himself stated, “I had more time than people in there who killed somebody.”
Goodwin’s third arrest came with a mandatory five-year minimum. But his judge had the option, considering the sale amount, to show a little empathy. Goodwin thought that might work in his favor.
“Five years was what they were saying in the beginning. I’m thinking, ‘It ain’t nothing but some weed,’” Goodwin reported. “Even my lawyer was telling everybody weed was about to be legalized, it wasn’t anything serious.”
The irony here is the accumulative half-pound wasn’t in Goodwin’s possession at the time of his arrest. He got sentenced for a combined sale of a half-pound of weed.
Goodwin believes he was a victim of political maneuvering. Four months after his appearance before Childs, the judge got a federal court appointment.
The conviction is causing noticeable controversy for the nominee. This is definitely a case of the sentence far outweighing the crime.
Still, Childs is getting major support from not just the president, but political powerhouses like Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and House Democratic Whip Representative James Clyburn (D-SC). Other advocates highlight the judge’s “overwhelming commitment to justice” and “exceptional integrity.” They also like to point out Childs got her appointment through Barack Obama during his presidency.
A White House spokesperson attests, “As a federal judge, Judge Childs created and continues to administer her court’s first drug court program—Columbia Bridge—which has diverted defendants charged with drug related offenses away from prison toward drug treatment and reform.”
Progressives feel Childs’ nomination is a detriment to the growth of recreational weed legalization in both red and blue states.
