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Two intriguing sentencing stories show the impact of cable TV on federal justice

By Douglas A. Berman

Two new local stories about two very different federal prosecutions have one notable link: cable TV shows seemed to have had an the operation of the federal criminal justice system in both cases. First, consider this Tennessee story, headlined "Moonshine maestro gets 18 months."  Here are some of the cable-influenced details: A federal judge sentenced Marvin ?Popcorn? Sutton to 18 months in prison on moonshining and weapons charges Monday, rejecting arguments that Sutton deserved a sentence of probation because he had reformed and was too ill to serve prison time.... Sutton has a broad circle of supporters, and nearly 1,500 people signing petitions of leniency on his behalf.  He gained fame through a book he wrote called ?Me and My Likker,? as well as through Internet videos and cable TV documentaries in which he demonstrated how to make moonshine...continue to full post

Full post as published by Sentencing Law and Policy on January 28, 2009 (boomark / email).