President Donald Trump commuted the life sentence of Alice Marie Johnson on Wednesday, just days after reality star Kim Kardashian West lobbied the president in an Oval Office meeting to intervene on behalf of the inmate who was convicted on drug charges.
What We Know:
- Johnson, 63, has been in federal prison more than 21 years after being found guilty in connection to a drug trafficking conspiracy
- She would have died behind bars without the president’s clemency.
- She is one of thousands of Americans serving life sentences for nonviolent offenses, according to a 2013 report by the American Civil Liberties Union, the vast majority of whom are there on drug crimes.
- Kardashian West met with Trump last Wednesday to speak about prison reform and possible clemency for Johnson; she was joined by Shawn Holley, an attorney who assembled a legal team for Johnson that’s being paid for by the reality television star.
- The commutation was confirmed to NBC News by the White House and Johnson’s lawyer.
- White House official told NBC News earlier that dozens of pardons have been prepared for the president and that he is considering them. There is no indication that Trump will move ahead with any or all of them.
We’re honest — it’s about time he did his job.
This story will be updated at Urban Newsroom.
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