'May God have mercy on your souls, because this court will not,” Circuit Court Judge MaryClaire Akers said as she sentenced Jeanne Kay Whitefeather, 63, to 215 years in prison and her husband, Donald Lantz, 64, to 160 years.

Summary

A West Virginia couple, Jeanne Kay Whitefeather and Donald Lantz, received prison sentences of 215 and 160 years, respectively, for forcing their five adopted Black children into slave labor.

Authorities discovered the abuse after a welfare check revealed children locked in a shed without water or sanitation.

The couple, charged with human trafficking, child neglect, and forced labor, targeted the children because of their race.

The court ordered them to pay $280,000 in restitution each.

  • Arbiter@lemmy.world
    225·
    6 days ago

    “I just want the court to know that I have made mistakes I am very sorry for that and I love my children and I have never, ever, done anything to my … children to harm them intentionally,”

    So what, you just accidentally locked them in a shed and forced them into slave labor? What the fuck is this apology.

    • Adulated_Aspersion@lemmy.world
      1011·
      6 days ago

      I wonder if they have biological children and meant them.

      Source: haven’t read the article.

      Edit: read the article. Still don’t know.

    • NateNate60@lemmy.world
      54·
      6 days ago

      Even though by the time the hearing commences, the judge has already usually decided on the sentence, every competent criminal defence lawyer will advise their client to grovel and beg for mercy at the sentencing for two reasons:

      1. Acting recalcitrant could upset the judge and result in a heavier sentence than the judge originally planned because they feel a need to make an example of the defendant.
      2. Not being apologetic damages your future chances of parole when the parole board looks at the tape or record of the sentencing.
      • Tedesche@lemmy.worldEnglish
        33·
        6 days ago

        Ah, yes, the parole they might receive when the parole board reviews their case in [checks watch] 80-100 years.

        • NateNate60@lemmy.world
          14·
          5 days ago

          There’s also the possibility of appeals to get the sentence reduced. And the defendant’s family can apply for pardons. Pardons and commutations are usually associated with political grift in the US (and this is a well-deserved reputation), but they can also be applied for and governors occasionally grant them to prisoners who demonstrate they’re reformed even when they’re not otherwise eligible for parole.

          Grovelling before the judge and acting like you accept you are guilty for sixty minutes costs nothing on the part of the defendant anyway.

      • finitebanjo@lemmy.world
        152·
        5 days ago

        Pro-Tip for any actual monsters hiding in human skin: deflection of all wrongdoing is not a great apology.