3-Strike Stories: Michael Andrews
In 1979, at age 18, I was arrested for strong arm robbery in King County (Hanford), I
made bail. While out on bail I did commit an armed robbery in Kern County (Bakers) while
under the influence of hard alcohol. I took a plead bargain on both of these charges, for
the armed robbery I got 7 years, for the strong arm robbery I got 3 ½ years-I'm not sure
how Kings and Kern County made this agreement but they agree to run both charges
concurrent. Sent to State Prison for 7 years.
In 1986, at age 26, I was arrested for taking money out of a cash register
"Robbery" in Kings County (Hanford), I took another plead bargain -sentences to
state prison 8 years I was addicted to crack cocaine at the time. In 1991, at age 30, I
was arrested for possession of 9 codeine pills, took a plead bargain for a probation,
Judge denied it and sentences me to State Prison for 16 months (King County) still
addicted to cocaine. In 1992 at age 32, I was arrested for possession of sales of crack
cocaine. I took a plead bargain for 5 years state prison. Addicted to crack cocaine.
In 1996, at age 36, I was arrested for 4 counts of sales of crack cocaine, went to trial
and lost 3 counts, I was sentenced under the 3 strikes law to 75 years to life. Still
addicted to crack cocaine. Hence, during the time of all these crimes, there are only 2 of
them that are justifiable-the armed robbery that occurred in Kern County in 1979 and the
robbery that was committed in 1986 which I still believe should have been a theft. My
criminal history may look bad but I am proud to say that there was not one victim assault
in these crimes. I am a non-violent offender and I am a non-violent prisoner. If the 3
strikes law was made for violent criminal then why do I have 3 times as much time as most
murders in here.
I have been taken a way from an aging father who has serve this Country in the Arm Forces,
who has work past the age of retirement and who is presently 70% handicap because of a
stroke.
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Date last modified: 1/7/97.