the two in question are known to the penal system.......
MARIETTA, Ga. --- The head of the Georgia NAACP called for the state to investigate the sentences given in the so-called "Barbie bandits" bank theft case, saying the two white defendants got less prison time than two black men.
Edward DuBose said Monday he will ask state Attorney General Thurbert Baker to look into the case.
Mr. Baker's office said Tuesday the attorney general had not received any complaints in the case.
Last month, Cobb County Superior Court Judge Mary Staley sentenced 20-year-old Heather Johnston to 10 years' probation after she pleaded guilty to a charge of theft by taking in the 2007 heist.
The judge gave 19-year-old Ashley Miller two years in jail and eight years' probation.
Michael Chastang, 28, was sentenced to 10 years for being the mastermind of the robbery, and bank teller Bennie Allen III, 23, who pleaded guilty, was sentenced to five years.
Both men are black. Mr. Chastang also is serving 15 years on unrelated drug-trafficking charges and Mr. Allen was on probation for a drug conviction.
Ms. Johnston and Ms. Miller -- both former exotic dancers who went by the stage names "Charlie" and "Adrienne" -- were nicknamed the Barbie bandits after they were videotaped wearing sunglasses and laughing as they appeared to rob a Bank of America branch in Acworth, Ga., of $11,000.
Comments
the two in question are known to the penal system.......
Are you kidding me? The NAACP doesn't have anything better to do. Guess they think a long list of "priors" and being on probation/parole might not be a darn good reason for sentenceing disparity.
so what! if all 4 of them rob the bank all 4 should get time. the court system is so one sided to it is ashame. but you know trust we all have our sins to bare....
Pardon me while I run and throw up.....NAACP you have some nerve but then again you thrive off being nervy......Go play in someone else's sandbox and leave this nation alone....Plenty of wrongs committed in other nations you can ply your trade.....Oh right.... excuse me but you would have to leave the good ole' United States to engage people who would just as soon annihalate you as to look at you.....
The NAACP, ... just an organization to give a few negro(s) a title & a source for them to steal from other negro(s). Check out their history, since the 60's all they have done is basically taken turns at the helm and plundered the NAACP's assets. Well what do you expect? The Nation of Islam has usurped the NAACP's mission. All the NAACP can do is squeal like a "little girl" at what they consider inequality.
It is interesting how easy it is on these displays for folk to not address the issues. The NAACP is not the issue, it's unfair sentencing. It is the old concept of not focusing on message, kill the messenger. The prior records is obviously an agruement but all this other deflective comments display an array of shallow thoughts. I guess most would say Thomas Ravenel's probation for cocaine was also fair.
Okay birdseye the prior records speak for themselves....This group of 'stir the pot troublemakers' need to take the rest of their lives off and play somewhere else. Justice is not fair at times in all races not just the black.....give it a rest....Pleeeeze...
Go ahead, let them waste their time and resources. They apparently have nothing worthwhile to do. Just stop them before the taxpayers have to chip in.
Priors are the BIG issue, birdseye. There is a thing called first offender act. I think it was applied here and also at ravenel's trial.
Wrong is wrong but 10 years probation for bank robbery. And you people see nothing wrong with this. That's a felony charge. I bet Charles Walker wish he had there attorney.
Those ladies deserve JAIL time just like the others... no matter what...
their=possession ......they're = contraction of they are ......there = location
All four are guilty of bank robbery. Race isn't a factor. All four are guilty of bank robbery under the law. All four should have received at least the minimum sentence. First offender shouldn't apply
I think 10 years probation for bank robbery is just a slap on the wrist ... not to mention unheard of. The fact that the guys had priors and pleaded guilty means they got what THEY deserved. But these girls were just as guilty -- not to mention stupid -- guess that's not a punishable crime although it should be! LOL, seriously, they should be doing some jail time being that they were the ones actually "robbing the bank" ... Why a charge of theft by taking? Were they not armed?
Right is right, if they all were involved then they all should get jail time. Nobody made them rob that bank, it was their own decision.
Justus4 you cannot blame white people for the countries downfall. Eventhough, they are the ones the who make the laws, enforce the laws, and bend the laws for each other.The judicial system is corrupt because Charles Walker got more felony counts than Sadam Hussein.
Christian, why don't you give it a rest. Like it or not, our justice system is not perfect. One of the best in the world, but not perfect. Just because you dislike the NAACP, does not mean that they do not have a role to play. I do not agree with everything that the NAACP get involved in, but like the old sayibg states " even a broke clock is right twice a day".
i AM TOTALLY bEHIND THE NAACP if the Barbie Bandits where 2 19 year old Black men and if they Robbed a bank just because a white girl told them to do it the judge will laugh in there face and throw the book at them, and this is a prime example these guys who just told these girls to robb 1 bank are getting sentence more than the girls and being labled a MASTERMIND thats rediculaous they dont deserve to get anytime last time a checked if u tell somebody to jump of a bidge and they actually jump its there fault for being stupid not urs!
I wasn't surprised at the sentence the guys got - it is BANK robbery after all - but the girls' sentences did strike me as very light. Is it racist or sexist? Hmmm......
male or female, black or white. all should have received jail time. maybe the judge used to go see them dance. however, the people who had prior offenses and who were already on probation should have received more time than the two girls. if there was a weapon used then jail time should be mandentory. i disagree with the judge on this one.
women child molesters always get a much lighter sentence.
somebody tell justus that it aint the white men holding him down , it is the women.
Hypo this clock is not right broken or newly made....I have a right to say that friend whether you approve or not. The NAACP has outlived its usefulness.......And did I or did I not state that the justice system is not fair...I believe I did....It is not fair for many folks of all races, genders, creeds, rich or poor...That is just the way it is....:-)
Youi have all the right, but like everyone including myself, it does not mean that you are right.
critter...you are in the south. down here these fools always have to fight over race. sexist...what's that??
Just way it is. So your point is just leave it alone' That's just the way it is". FUNNY
actually, i think the naacp has a point in this case: two BANK ROBBERS (young, cute white females) have light sentences compared to the NON-ROBBING PLANNERS (black males with criminal records). there might be federally-imposed sentencing guidelines that are coming into play at this point, so i'm curious to see what the public vetting will reveal.
People are so blinded by hate they don't even look at the circumstances. Both these men had prior convictions, Mr. Chastang is also serving 15 years for a drug-trafficing charge. Ms. Miller is serving 2 years in jail and evidently Ms. Johnston was charge with theft by taking because she was not actually the one who asked for the money. If she received the money requested by Ms. Miller then she could be charged with a lesser offense. Makes her just as guility as Ms. Miller in somes opinion but it's call a technicality. The major issue here is that the young men received more time....most likely because they had prior convictions, not that they were black but then for some they will never be convinced of that.
I think the Jewish Defense League has out lived it's time. Does that mean that they do not have an important role today, no it does not mean that. It is just my opinion.
It involves 2 first offenders and 2 with established criminal records. Any of you Geniuses ever hear of "3 Strikes"?
The Augusta Chronicle ©2012. All Rights Reserved.
