10 years PROBATION . . . For a Bank Robbery?? - Rocket River http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/03/24/barbie.bandits/ One 'Barbie Bandit' gets jail, the other probationStory Highlights NEW: "Barbie Bandits" bank caper results in prison sentence for Ashley Miller Ashley Miller receives 10 years, must serve two Heather Johnston, the other "Barbie Bandit," received 10 years probation Teller Benny Herman Allen III, who was in on it, must serve half of 10-year term MARIETTA, Georgia (CNN) -- A judge Monday sentenced two women dubbed the "Barbie Bandits" and a teller who helped them rob the bank where he worked. This photo of the so-called "Barbie Bandits" made the pair a hot topic of water cooler conversation last year. Ashley Miller, convicted of theft and drug distribution, was sentenced to the maximum of 10 years. She has to serve two years behind bars, with the remainder on probation. She also has to pay at least $2,500 in restitution. Her co-defendant, Heather Lyn Johnston, who pleaded guilty to robbery and drug use charges in August, was sentenced to 10 years probation with community service, a minimum $2,000 fine and $2,500 in restitution. Benny Herman Allen III, who at the time of the February 27, 2007, robbery was a teller at the Bank of America in Acworth, Georgia, also was sentenced to the 10-year maximum. He's required to serve five years behind bars and pay $2,500 in restitution. Watch footage from court ยป Miller and Johnston earned the "Barbie Bandits" nickname after police released bank video they said showed them laughing and joking behind fashionable sunglasses before handing a holdup note to the teller. Investigators said Johnston and Miller, who worked as dancers at an Atlanta-area strip club, planned to split the $10,000 they stole with Allen, the teller who accepted their demand and handed over the money, and another defendant. Herman met the young women through convicted felon Michael Darrell Chastang, who faces sentencing Tuesday for his role in the heist. On March 2, 2007, Chastang, Miller and Johnston led police on a short car chase not far from the Six Flags Over Georgia theme park outside Atlanta and were apprehended. According to arrest warrants, police found mar1juana in the car and ecstasy pills on Miller. E-mail to a friend
I read about this yesterday and as usual when black and white are involved in a case like this black gets the harsher punishment. I mean it's like what can you do? I believe the justice system works by money then race but anybody who denies blacks don't get harsher punishment is seriously delusional. Again though, what can you do? Complain? Fight? Protest? Nothing is working or has worked to close the huge gap in racial justice. Like I said I have seen it in my own personal life. Two of my sister's friend's were killed, one by a black man and the other by a white man. The black man killed another black man. The white man killed a black man and robbed him of $10,000 in cash and merchandise. The black man received life in prison. The white man received ten years and is up for probation after 5. Justice indeed.
I'm not arguing with you that racism is alive and well...though I HOPE we're moving past that on some level. But your example above needs more facts. There are lots of factors taken into consideration at a sentencing hearing. It's not just, "this guy is white...this guy is black."
isn't robbing a bank a federal crime. mike vick got mandatory two years for killing some dogs. edit: don't really won't to get in another vick argument, I don't know what bank robbery sentences are but these do seem pretty light given that its a federal crime
I understand that and I apologize but what facts would you like? Here is what I know about the two cases. 1. The one where the white male murdered the black male they were getting ready to go into business together, I believe a used car lot or something dealing with cars. The black male had raised/saved up the $10,000. They were from my hometown of Jonesboro and were setting up this place of business in West Memphis, AR. The evening they left the two pulled over outside of Trumann, AR and this is where the murder and robbery occurred. The murderer then dumped the body in a cotton field and came back and played it off like he had not seen him. Once police investigated he initially confessed to the crimes. 2. The on where the black male murdered another black male the two had actually scuffled at a party. One of the males returned and they each confronted each other again. The two were separated but the murderer would not give up on the confrontation. The murderer then pulled a weapon out and hot once, killing the other male. Witnessed accounted that all of this happened. Maybe the fact that their were witnesses in one case and none in the other helped but that still seems lopsided to me. I'm sorry.
Yes, robbing a bank is a federal crime. I understand you not wanting to get into another Vick argument as well. I will say however that Vick was convicted of more than just dog killing. That being said, I still think the women's sentence were rather light to put it mildly.
More like prior convictions and criminal history. And note that judges are different. Courts are different. Justice in one court might look different from justice in the next. But I don't wanna dwell on this, because I don't disagree with your point, generally.
Oh OK, well I know nothing about that stuff. I do apologize for being so vague but stuff like that really gets me. I will discontinue to dwell on it as well.
One last thing...I don't know the background either...so I don't discount the possibility that the difference in sentence had something or everything to do with race. Entirely possible.
And I'll just sum it up like this. Our justice system is totally flawed. Whether it be race, sentencing, treatment, or whatever, I don't think anybody can deny that it is flawed.
Absolutely true. I'd argue that every human system is flawed. Corruption finds a way in. Having said that, I still feel our justice system is about as good as it gets.
i would throw class and possibly lifestyles in there, too. class is a definite one....if you're poor and in the judicial system, even if you are innocent....you might be screwed. Lifestyle is little more complicated.
The way I read the article, this is true. One of the girls pled guilty. They all got 10 years, with differing jail times. From what I read in the past, I think the guy was the ring leader, and talked the girls into it. That would be the justification for him getting more time. Ten years probation is no joke. Odds are good that the girl who didn't get jail time will screw up, flunk a drug test or something, and have to serve out her sentence behind bars. Besides, all three are now felons with bank robbery convictions on their records, jailtime or not, which pretty much guarantees a lifetime of near-minimum wage employment.
To add to this portion, I don't like the ringleader thing. These are adults. So what if somebody talked them into it, they are adults and know the difference between right and wrong. I could understand if a minor was involved but these were adults free to do as they wished, it was their choice.
http://a.abclocal.go.com/images/kabc/cms_exf_2005/news/nation_world/030207BarbieBandits200.jpg[/IMG [IMG]http://msnbcmedia4.msn.com/j/msnbc/Sections/Newsweek/Components/Photos/070227_070305/070301_GirlRobbers_wide.hlarge.jpg On lighter note, these girls are probably would be better off not being prison....like what Eddie Griffin said about Michael Jackson on the Tonight Show.... these girls would get passed around like a joint. Can't you see some bull ..... setting her sight on the girl when they first walk into prison. And about 50 others trying to get dibs on them.
