March for the release of two sisters serving life sentences 12-30-2010

HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE MARCHED TO THE GOVERNOR'S MANSION AND THE STATE CAPITOL THURSDAY TO RALLY FOR THE RELEASE OF TWO SISTERS SERVING LIFE SENTENCES FOR A ROBBERY WHICH NETTED THE PAIR ONLY $11. THE MISSISSIPPI AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION AND OTHER CIVIL RIGHTS GROUPS PROTESTED TODAY TO TRY TO GET A PARDON FOR JAMIE AND GLADYS SCOTT. THE SISTERS HAVE BEEN IN JAIL FOR ALMOST 16 YEARS IN WHAT WAS HANDED DOWN AS LIFE SENTENCES. THE SISTERS' ATTORNEY MET WITH GOVERNOR HALEY BARBOUR'S STAFF ABOUT A POSSIBLE PARDON OR REDUCED SENTENCE. BARBOUR'S OFFICE IS WAITING TO HEAR RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE PAROLE BOARD BEFORE MAKING A DECISION. HOWEVER, A DEBATE IS UNFOLDING OVER AN UNUSUAL OFFER FROM THE GOVERNOR THAT HE WILL FREE THE TWO SISTERS BUT AS A PART OF THE SUSPENDED SENTENCE OFFER WHERE ONE SISTER'S RELEASE REQUIRES HER TO DONATE HER KIDNEY TO THE OTHER SISTER. BARBOUR'S RECOMMENDATION TO THE STATE PARDON BOARD TO SUSPEND THE LIFE SENTENCES OF THE SCOTT SISTERS WAS APPLAUDED BY CIVIL RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS AND THE WOMEN'S ATTORNEY, WHO HAVE LONG SAID THE SENTENCES WERE TOO HARSH FOR THE CRIME.