NEWS: June 15, 2022 / March 13, 2023
WPLN’s “This is Nashville” radio news hour: Tennessee’s 51-year life sentences
Original broadcast date: June 15, 2022.
Until recently, anyone found guilty of first-degree murder in Tennessee could be sentenced to a minimum of 51 years in prison – even if they were under 18 at the time of the crime.
Al Jazeera’s “Fault Lines” series released a documentary (below) about Almeer Nance — a Knoxville man who received what is essentially a life sentence for felony murder in 1997. He was 16 when the crime happened and didn’t pull the trigger.
Documentarian Jeremy Young joins us to talk about his work and Nance’s case. Then we hear from Nance’s family, a man who was incarcerated in Tennessee and sentencing reform advocates to learn where this sentence came from and how it disproportionately affects Black prisoners.
Since this episode first aired in June, the Tennessee Supreme Court ruled that the mandatory life sentence for minors is unconstitutional (news article below). Nance is eligible for release in 2028 (news article and video below)
Guests:
Jeremy Young, documentarian
Jameerial Johnson, daughter of Almeer Nance
Rahim Buford, former insider and sentencing reform advocate
Rev. Jeannie Alexander, co-founder and co-director of No Exceptions Prison Collective
Dawn Deaner, director of Choosing Justice Initiative, former public defender for Davidson County
Original broadcast date: June 15, 2022.
click “play” below to listen
Watch the documentary:
He didn't pull the trigger, but was sentenced to 51 years | Fault Lines
Jun 8, 2022
Almost every country in the world treats juveniles who commit murder differently to the United States.
This is particularly true in Tennessee, where the state sentences juvenile offenders to a quasi-life sentence of 51 years.
Fault Lines investigates the case of Almeer Nance, convicted of felony murder for an armed robbery he took part in as a 16-year-old in 1996. He received a sentence of 51 years and has no meaningful opportunity to have a second chance in life to reconnect with his family.
Senior Producer…….
Correspondent…….
Director of Photography…….
Editor…….
Executive Producer…….
Fact-checking…….
Digital Producer…….
Jeremy Young
Josie Duffy Rice
Joel Van Haren
Adrienne Haspel
Laila Al-Arian
Abdulai Bah
Eileen Salazar
The Tennessee Supreme Court rules against mandatory life sentences for minors
November 18, 2022
Marianna Bacallao
https://wpln.org/post/the-tennessee-supreme-court-rules-against-mandatory-life-sentences-for-minors/
Almeer Nance reflects on his murder conviction 27 years later
February 27, 2023 | 4:37 PM EST
Vinay Simlot
https://www.wbir.com/article/news/crime/almeer-nance-reflects-on-his-murder-conviction-radio-shack-farragut-1996/51-06c2d658-bde8-412c-8fa7-ae9b3e1fcd6a