3-Strike Stories: George Michael Lane
Hello my name is George Michael Lane E74992 and I'm at Pelican State Prison with a 25
year to life sentence on my third strike for receiving stolen property of about 30 to 40
dollars of jewelry that they evidence shows was not even mine. This law is so unfair in so
many ways. I never had a violent charge against me in my life. In 1984 and 1990 I got
burglary convictions. Both times, days after the burglaries happen I got caught with some
of the items. I admit I had a problem back then I'm sorry for it now. Both times I plead
bargain and plead out to burglary convictions without no evidence at all that I did the
burglaries. If I knew that them burglaries convictions would have been strikes in the
future I would have no strikes now. There was no evidence at all that I did the
burglaries, but since the DA offered me good deals, plus they did have evidence for a
receiving stolen property convictions. I plead guilty to the burglary charges not knowing
they would be strikes in the future. Now here I sit with a 25 year to life sentence all
over 30 to 40 dollars worth of items. I got a lot of love ones that are hurting over this.
My case is called a "wobbler" which can be a misdemeanor or even probation in
most cases, and here I sit with a life sentence. This 3 strike law should be for violent
or serious cases concerning the third strike.
A second letter by George:
2/9/98
GEORGE M. LANE E74992
P.O. BOX 7500
B6-103
CRESCENT CITY, CA. 95531-7500
They raised me in a Christian family with much love. In 1980's I had a problem with
drugs. I got arrested in 1984 and 1990 for having some of the stolen property, days
after a burglary happen. Not knowing that there would be a 3-strikes law passed in 1994 I
pleaded guilty on plea bargains with excellent deals from the D.A., two burglaries
convictions without evidence at all that I did the burglaries. If I knew that there would
be a 3-strikes law passed in 1994, I would not have no strikes now. None! The D.A. only
had evidence for receiving stolen property charge.
On this charge the evidence clearly shows that I got a life sentence more than thirty
to 40 dollars worth of women jewelry that was the woman that I lived with at the time. My
trail judge, Judge Ivey from Merced already wrote me and told me he was not going to
re-sentence me. Here I sit with a life sentence away from my sweet daughter, three
brothers, and my loving family, and all because I had a minor problem over a minor crime.
I never had a felony violent type conviction or gun charge, nothing like that. There are
thousands of us just like me.
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Date last modified: 1/7/97.