Lawmakers, activists seek reduced sentence for teen (6 LIFE sentences)
Calling the punishment excessive and unconscionable, state lawmakers and civil rights activists are demanding a new, reduced sentence for a Norfolk teen who was convicted of armed robbery and sentenced to more than six life terms.
State Sen. David Marsden, a Northern Virginia Democrat who has worked in juvenile justice since 1970, described Travion Blount's punishment as one of the most egregious he's seen. Marsden said he plans to craft a bill that would allow judges to amend sentences for certain juvenile offenders after they have served at least 20 years in prison. State lawmakers would debate the bill early next year.
State Sen. Kenneth Alexander, a Norfolk Democrat, said lawmakers in the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus also will consider drafting changes to the state's juvenile justice guidelines this month. "It's a flawed public policy," he said.
Blount's case was profiled in The Virginian-Pilot last month. Blount was 15 on Sept. 23, 2006, when he joined two gang members, both 18, in an armed robbery of a house party where there were 12 victims. No shots were fired, and he injured no one. Two co-defendants pleaded guilty and received 10- and 13-year punishments. Blount was convicted at trial of 49 felonies and sentenced to six life terms plus 118 years.
http://hamptonroads.com/2013/12/lawmakers-activists-seek-reduced-sentence-teen
Original Series: http://hamptonroads.com/blount
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