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Title: Homeless Mother Who Sent Six-Year-Old Son To Better School In The Wrong Town Sent To Prison For Five Years
Source:
From The Trenches
URL Source: http://www.fromthetrenchesworldrepo ... o-prison-for-five-years/169638
Published: Sep 6, 2016
Author: Jeremiah Jones
Post Date: 2016-09-06 21:35:49 by Deckard
Keywords: None
Views: 5939
Comments: 30
A homeless mother who pleaded guilty to fraudulently enrolling her six-year-old son in the wrong school district has been sentenced to five years in prison. According to Graham Smith with Daily Mail, Tonya McDowell sent her son to an elementary school in Norwalk, Connecticut, instead of her home city of Bridgeport. The 34-year-old, who was homeless when she was charged with felony larceny last year, said she wanted the best education possible for the boy. McDowell entered her plea at Norwalk Superior Court under the Alford Doctrine, which means she does not admit guilt but concedes she does not believe she will win the case. Even though she was homeless, authorities said that she used a babysitter’s address to enroll her son in kindergarten in Norwalk when he should have attended schools in Bridgeport, her last permanent address. Her case drew national attention and support from civil rights leaders and other advocates who wanted the charge dismissed. The 34-year-old, who was homeless when she was charged last year, said she wanted the best education possible for her son. McDowell told police she was living in a van and occasionally slept at a Norwalk shelter or a friend’s Bridgeport apartment when she enrolled her son Norwalk’s Brookside Elementary School. Police accused McDowell of stealing $15,686 worth of ‘free’ educational services from Norwalk. Smith also reports, “McDowell’s lawyer, Darnell Crosland, said she agreed to accept a plea bargain rather than continue fighting the charges even though she insists she is not guilty.” Mr Crosland said: ‘You shouldn’t be arrested for stealing a free education. It’s just wrong.’ Why is a homeless lady being treated this way? If she lives in a van and sometimes stays in Norwalk, then how can they accuse her of stealing a free education? This isn’t justice! This is taking away an opportunity for the son of a homeless woman and unjustly imprisoning someone who wants opportunities for her son. 
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#1. To: Deckard (#0)
Hillary maybe could that 's the human President Make boris If you ... don't use exclamation points --- you should't be typeing ! Commas - semicolons - question marks are for girlie boys !
Bizarre.
A homeless mother who pleaded guilty to fraudulently enrolling her six-year- old son in the wrong school district has been sentenced to five years in prison. Tanya McDowell was arrested in April 2011 for enrolling her six-year-old son in the wrong school district during a period of homelessness. Tanya McDowell was NOT sentenced to five years in prison FOR enrolling her six-year-old son in the wrong school district during a period of homelessness. Besides being arrested for enrolling her six-year-old son in the wrong school district during a period of homelessness, several weeks later Tonya McDowell was also arrested for more serious offenses involving drugs and prostitution. She was picked up on drug charges when police found her in front of Brookside Elementary School holding 30 small bags of marijuana and 23 small bags of crack cocaine, prosecutor Tiffany Lockshier said during her sentencing hearing. Judge Frank Iannoti said that the Norwalk case (arrest for enrolling her son in a Connecticut school) had nothing to do with why McDowell ws before him. He said to her: "This case is about the convictions for the sale of narcotics to an undercover police officer. I think you understand that because that is really the essence of what has gotten you into the predicament you find yourself today." In Bridgeport, McDowell pleaded guilty to two counts of sale of narcotics to undercover officers in Bridgeport and when she is sentenced faces up to five years in jail for those convictions.
Yellow Journalism always is bizarre since it is based on half truths and lies for the purpose of channeling a person towards a false conclusion. Those who read Yellow Journalism and then take the bait to believe the half truths and lies are idiots.
Charged with stealing a free education - totally bizarre. More verbal diarrhea from the site's pompous ass. Ah, the old attempt at deflection since you cannot dispute the FACTS in this case. Stick with the facts: Besides being arrested for enrolling her six-year-old son in the wrong school district during a period of homelessness, several weeks later Tonya McDowell was also arrested for more serious offenses involving drugs and prostitution. She was picked up on drug charges when police found her in front of Brookside Elementary School holding 30 small bags of marijuana and 23 small bags of crack cocaine, prosecutor Tiffany Lockshier said during her sentencing hearing. Judge Frank Iannoti said that the Norwalk case (arrest for enrolling her son in a Connecticut school) had nothing to do with why McDowell ws before him. He said to her: "This case is about the convictions for the sale of narcotics to an undercover police officer. I think you understand that because that is really the essence of what has gotten you into the predicament you find yourself today." In Bridgeport, McDowell pleaded guilty to two counts of sale of narcotics to undercover officers in Bridgeport and when she is sentenced faces up to five years in jail for those convictions.
The money for public schools comes from TAXPAYERS....it is NOT FREE!
This is another one of your cluster foxtrots. She committed a crime by submitting a fraudulent application for kindergarten. Basically, the entire story is bullshit from 2011-2012. Graham Smith did write a story in the Daily Mail, last "Updated: 10:21 EST, 1 March 2012." [...] McDowell told police she was living in a van and occasionally slept at a Norwalk shelter or a friend’s Bridgeport apartment when she enrolled her son Norwalk’s Brookside Elementary School. She did not live at the babysitter's address. She did not live in Norwalk. Another pantsload.. She took an Alford Plea. It is not a doctrine, it is a form of plea agreement. It involves more than a concession that she will not win the case. Taking an Alford Plea involves pleading guilty. She pleaded guilty. The plea let her serve the larceny sentence concurrently with her separate sentence for selling drugs. The schooling involved was kindergarten. https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/400/25/case.html Decided November 23, 1970 400 U.S. 25 APPEAL FROM THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FOURTH CIRCUIT Syllabus Appellee was indicted for the capital crime of first-degree murder. At that time, North Carolina law provided for the penalty of life imprisonment when a plea of guilty was accepted to a first-degree murder charge; for the death penalty following a jury verdict of guilty, unless the jury recommended life imprisonment; and for a penalty of from two to 30 years' imprisonment for second-degree murder. Appellee's attorney, in the face of strong evidence of guilt, recommended a guilty plea, but left the decision to appellee. The prosecutor agreed to accept a plea of guilty to second-degree murder. The trial court heard damaging evidence from certain witnesses before accepting a plea. Appellee pleaded guilty, although disclaiming guilt, because of the threat of the death penalty, and was sentenced to 30 years' imprisonment. The Court of Appeals, on an appeal from a denial of a writ of habeas corpus, found that appellee's guilty plea was involuntary because it was motivated principally by fear of the death penalty. Held: The trial judge did not commit constitutional error in accepting appellee's guilty plea. Pp. 400 U. S. 31-39. (a) A guilty plea that represents a voluntary and intelligent choice among the alternatives available to a defendant, especially one represented by competent counsel, is not compelled within the meaning of the Fifth Amendment because it was entered to avoid the possibility of the death penalty. Brady v. United States, 397 U. S. 742. P. 400 U. S. 31. (b) Hudson v. United States, 272 U. S. 451, which held that a federal court may impose a prison sentence after accepting a plea of nolo contendere, implicitly recognized that there is no constitutional bar to imposing a prison sentence upon an accused who is unwilling to admit guilt but who is willing to waive trial and accept the sentence. Pp. 400 U. S. 35-36. (c) An accused may voluntarily, knowingly, and understandingly consent to the imposition of a prison sentence even though he is unwilling to admit participation in the crime, or even if his 400 U. S. 26 guilty plea contains a protestation of innocence, when, as here, he intelligently conclude that his interests require a guilty plea and the record strongly evidences guilt. Pp. 400 U. S. 37-38. (d) The Fourteenth Amendment and the Bill of Rights do not prohibit the States from accepting pleas to lesser included offenses. P. 400 U. S. 39. 405 F.2d 340, vacated and remanded. WHITE, J., delivered the opinion of the Court, in which BURGER, C.J., and HARLAN, STEWART, and BLACKMUN, JJ., joined. BLACK, J., filed a statement concurring in the judgment, post, p. 400 U. S. 39. BRENNAN, J., filed a dissenting opinion, in which DOUGLAS and MARSHALL, JJ., joined, post, p. 400 U. S. 39. MR. JUSTICE WHITE delivered the opinion of the Court. On December 2, 1963, Alford was indicted for first-degree murder, a capital offense under North Carolina 400 U. S. 27 law. The court appointed an attorney to represent him, and this attorney questioned all but one of the various witnesses who appellee said would substantiate his claim of innocence. The witnesses, however, did not support Alford's story, but gave statements that strongly indicated his guilt. Faced with strong evidence of guilt and no substantial evidentiary support for the claim of innocence, Alford's attorney recommended that he plead guilty, but left the ultimate decision to Alford himself. The prosecutor agreed to accept a plea of guilty to a charge of second-degree murder, and, on December 10, 1963, Alford pleaded guilty to the reduced charge. [...] 400 U.S. 37 [...] Nor can we perceive any material difference between a plea that refuses to admit commission of the criminal act and a plea containing a protestation of innocence when, as in the instant case, a defendant intelligently concludes that his interests require entry of a guilty plea and the record before the judge contains strong evidence of actual guilt. Here, the State had a strong case of first-degree murder against Alford. Whether he realized or disbelieved his guilt, he insisted on his plea because in his view he had absolutely nothing to gain by a trial and much to gain by pleading. Because of the overwhelming evidence against him, a trial was precisely what neither Alford nor his attorney desired. Confronted with the choice between a trial for first-degree murder, on the one hand, and a plea of guilty to second-degree murder, on the other, Alford quite reasonably chose the latter and thereby limited the maximum penalty to a 30-year term. When his plea is viewed in light 400 U. S. 38 of the evidence against him, which substantially negated his claim of innocence and which further provided a means by which the judge could test whether the plea was being intelligently entered, see McCarthy v. United States, supra, at 394 U. S. 466-467 (1969), its validity cannot be seriously questioned. In view of the strong factual basis for the plea demonstrated by the State and Alford's clearly expressed desire to enter it despite his professed belief in his innocence, we hold that the trial judge did not commit constitutional error in accepting it. [...] - - - - - - - - - - John Nickerson, Staff Writer NORWALK -- Tanya McDowell, who became a sympathetic national figure after being charged in April with stealing the education of her young son from the Norwalk school district, offered a Stamford undercover officer crack cocaine, marijuana and the use of prostitutes McDowell was pimping from her aunt's home in Bridgeport, according to warrants for her arrest. Police sources told The Advocate that McDowell took a break from her son's birthday party in late May to sell drugs to an undercover officer at the home on Dover Street in Bridgeport. According to three Norwalk arrest warrants, McDowell, who claimed to be homeless while sending her son to school in Norwalk, sold drugs to officers in Norwalk on three occasions between May 27 and June 3. She also allegedly told the undercover officer she was living with her aunt on Dover Street, and he was welcome to party at the house and enjoy the services of two women McDowell was pimping out. [...] In November, McDowell was arrested in Norwalk for being in possession of marijuana and crack cocaine. Because police found her in possession of dozens of individually packaged baggies containing the drugs, she was charged with possession with intent to sell. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges. Ten years ago, McDowell, was convicted of robbing a Trumbull bank, and in a separate incident, of being in possession of a pistol. She was sentenced to 18 months in prison. http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/5-years-in-prison-for-Tanya-McDowell-3350071.php John Nickerson Tanya McDowell, the Bridgeport mom arrested last April for sending her 5-year-old son to a Norwalk elementary school and while out on bond was picked up for selling drugs to undercover officers five times, was sentenced to five years in prison and another five years of probation after pleading guilty to drug and larceny charges Wednesday. McDowell, 34, wearing leg shackles, handcuffs and a large light gray sweatsuit, quietly made her pleas at state Superior Court in Norwalk. In April of last year, McDowell received national sympathy from education advocates after Norwalk police arrested her for sending her son to Brookside Elementary School in Norwalk while they alleged that she was really living in Bridgeport. McDowell claimed that she was homeless at the time -- spending many nights in her van -- and wanted a good education for her son, A.J., while she was working in Stamford. Several weeks later, she was arrested for selling drugs to Norwalk undercover officers on five occasions in Norwalk and Bridgeport. When she was picked up on the drug charges, police found her in front of Brookside Elementary School holding 30 small bags of marijuana and 23 small bags of crack cocaine, prosecutor Tiffany Lockshier said during her sentencing hearing. In Bridgeport, McDowell pleaded guilty earlier this month to two counts of sale of narcotics to undercover officers in Bridgeport and when she is sentenced on March 27, faces up to five years in jail for those convictions. As part of the plea bargain, McDowell will be able to serve the sentences from Norwalk and Bridgeport concurrently. While she maintains her innocence on the Norwalk larceny charges, her attorney, Darnell Crosland, said McDowell had agreed to accept the plea bargain, rather than continue fighting the charges. "You shouldn't be arrested for stealing a free education," McDowell said. "It's just wrong." McDowell made the guilty plea to first-degree larceny by defrauding a public community under the Alford doctrine, indicating that she disagrees with the state's facts of the case, but understands that she would probably be convicted if the case went to trial. Judge Bruce Hudock sentenced her to 12 years in jail Wednesday, which will be suspended after she serves five years. McDowell could be made to serve some or all of the suspended seven year sentence if she violates her probation. [...] http://www.ctpost.com/news/article/Tanya-McDowell-sentenced-to-5-years-in-prison-3437974.php Daniel Tepfer Updated 11:40 pm, Tuesday, March 27, 2012 BRIDGEPORT -- Even as she faced sentencing Tuesday for twice selling drugs to an undercover police officer, Tanya McDowell vowed she would continue to fight for a better education for her young son. "Who would have thought that wanting a good education for my son would put me in this predicament?" McDowell lamented as she stood handcuffed before Superior Court Judge Frank Iannotti. "I have no regrets seeking a better education for him, I do regret my participation in this drug case." Last month the 34-year-old Bridgeport woman pleaded guilty in a Norwalk court to charges of first-degree larceny and conspiracy to commit first-degree larceny for illegally enrolling her 6-year-old son in Norwalk public school despite living here. That case drew protests by residents and civil rights groups who claimed McDowell was being persecuted for her attempt to get a better education for her son. Iannotti retorted Tuesday that the Norwalk case had nothing to do with why McDowell was before him. "This case is about the convictions for the sale of narcotics to an undercover police officer," the judge said. "I think you understand that because that is really the essence of what has gotten you into the predicament you find yourself today." On the two counts of sale of narcotics, the judge then sentenced her to 12 years, suspended after she serves five years and followed by five years probation. The sentence is to run concurrently with a five-year sentence she received in the Norwalk case. "When you are released, go back to doing an honest living and become a role model for your son," the judge added. Tuesday's hearing ended a highly charged case that put a spotlight on the city's beleaguered school system and cries for changes in state legislation that makes it illegal for parents to send their children to schools in towns where they are not residents. But support for McDowell dropped off after she was arrested by Bridgeport police in June and charged with selling marijuana and crack cocaine on two occasions to an undercover police officer outside her Dover Street home. Police said McDowell even interrupted her 6-year-old son's birthday to sell the drugs. [...]
Its a catch 22 for the tax payers. If they do not deter people like her then everyone in the crappy areas will be sending all their kids to better areas until the better areas are just like the crappy areas. Its the old adage. You can take the person out of the trailer park but you can not take the trailer park out of the person. BTW I do not blame her for wanting something better for her kids. I have seen some really smart good people come from really bad areas but it takes some really tough love by the parents because gangsta training is everywhere to destroy society. Example gangsta training in actions look at Colin Kaepernick who has had the best of everything and has been suckered into the gangsta world thinking!!
The headline was correct ... just not complete: "Homeless Mother Who Sent Six- Year-Old Son To Better School In The Wrong Town Sent To Prison For Five Years for selling drugs" The last part was accidentally left off.
After reading all of this, Deckard, you want to defend the actions of this person. Incredible....absolutely INCREDIBLE!
Thanks for providing "the rest of the story." His stories almost invariably suffer narrative collapse once you reach the Paul Harvey moment.
Non auro, sed ferro, recuperando est patria
McDowell was also convicted of a bank robbery 10 years ago. After learning of her criminal history, Deckard still wants to defend her actions. Amazing …!
This was kindergarten. She was getting free day care where she wanted to sell her drugs and whore her whores, in a better neighborhood. She also allegedly told the undercover officer she was living with her aunt on Dover Street, and he was welcome to party at the house and enjoy the services of two women McDowell was pimping out.
Not at all. She has tried to ensure the best education for her child under extraordinary conditions and is rebuffed by a cold, callous school bureaucracy. To me, it appears she didn't fight city hall hard enough. If she is actually sentenced, she stands no chance to continue her fight.
Tanya McDowell, who became a sympathetic national figure after being charged in April with stealing the education of her young son from the Norwalk school district, offered a Stamford undercover officer crack cocaine, marijuana and the use of prostitutes McDowell was pimping from her aunt's home in Bridgeport, according to warrants for her arrest. Police sources told The Advocate that McDowell took a break from her son's birthday party in late May to sell drugs to an undercover officer at the home on Dover Street in Bridgeport. According to three Norwalk arrest warrants, McDowell, who claimed to be homeless while sending her son to school in Norwalk, sold drugs to officers in Norwalk on three occasions between May 27 and June 3. She also allegedly told the undercover officer she was living with her aunt on Dover Street, and he was welcome to party at the house and enjoy the services of two women McDowell was pimping out. [...] In November, McDowell was arrested in Norwalk for being in possession of marijuana and crack cocaine. Because police found her in possession of dozens of individually packaged baggies containing the drugs, she was charged with possession with intent to sell. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges. Ten years ago, McDowell, was convicted of robbing a Trumbull bank, and in a separate incident, of being in possession of a pistol. She was sentenced to 18 months in prison. Tanya McDowell, the Bridgeport mom arrested last April for sending her 5-year- old son to a Norwalk elementary school and while out on bond was picked up for selling drugs to undercover officers five times, was sentenced to five years in prison and another five years of probation after pleading guilty to drug and larceny charges Wednesday.
All the standard BS you throw at her is a clear indicator that you do not understand her motivation for the choice of schools for her child. So, now the child is on welfare. Despite ALL your BS, society loses. You are as much a loser as she is, pal.
Despite ALL your BS, society loses. You are as much a loser as she is, pal.
Yeah, you are cryin' just like the welfare plunderer. You did nothing to collect your federal stipend of any worthy note.
Thank you for your contribution. I appreciate spending your money.
She pleaded guilty and was sentenced in February and March 2012 to the drug charges and then on the larceny charges.
I was discussing her son's well being. Now, we have another ward under the care of the state.
The son went to the grandparents.
That is good. Still, despite the mother's background, she was attempting to ensure the BEST education for him in order to escape the trap she was involved with. I believe she was trying to do the best thing and I consider it minor not major.
I believe you, because i know you are sincere.
"EDUCATE THE COMMON PEOPLE THIS IT IS THE BUSINESS OF THE STATE TO EFFECT AND ON A GENERAL PLAN" -- Thomas Jefferson
After learning of her criminal history, Deckard still wants to defend her actions. Amazing …! drug criminal loved If you ... don't use exclamation points --- you should't be typeing ! Commas - semicolons - question marks are for girlie boys !
You can see yukon from Russia! stunted a If you ... don't use exclamation points --- you should't be typeing ! Commas - semicolons - question marks are for girlie boys !
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#2. To: Deckard (#0)
#3. To: Deckard, misterwhite, nolu chan (#0)
(Edited)
The Canary Clan is charged with the responsibility to search impartially for the facts or actualities of a subject or situation. It is eminently qualified to perform this charge by devoting considerable time, deep reflection, careful deliberation, and serious consultation to approach decisions without any particular ideology or agenda. The Canary Clan has a commitment to respect precedent, fairness and a determination to faithfully present the facts.
Long live freedom of speech, long live the Canary Clan and God Bless America!
#4. To: buckeroo, Deckard (#2)
Bizarre.
#5. To: buckeroo (#2)
Bizarre.
“Truth is treason in the empire of lies.” - Ron Paul
"America is at that awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system, but too early to shoot the bastards."
#6. To: Gatlin (#3)
The Canary Clan is...is eminently qualified
“Truth is treason in the empire of lies.” - Ron Paul
"America is at that awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system, but too early to shoot the bastards."
#7. To: Deckard (#6)
Tanya McDowell was NOT sentenced to five years in prison FOR enrolling her six-year-old son in the wrong school district during a period of homelessness.
#8. To: Deckard (#5)
...stealing a free education...
#9. To: Deckard (#5)
Charged with stealing a free education - totally bizarre.
If she lives in a van and sometimes stays in Norwalk, then how can they accuse her of stealing a free education?
According to Graham Smith with Daily Mail, Tonya McDowell sent her son to an elementary school in Norwalk, Connecticut, instead of her home city of Bridgeport.
Even though she was homeless, authorities said that she used a babysitter’s address to enroll her son in kindergarten in Norwalk when he should have attended schools in Bridgeport, her last permanent address.
McDowell entered her plea at Norwalk Superior Court under the Alford Doctrine, which means she does not admit guilt but concedes she does not believe she will win the case.
North Carolina v. Alford, 400 U.S. 25 (1970)
Affidavit: Tanya McDowell offered to sell drugs, pimp out prostitutes to undercover cops
Updated 9:43 am, Tuesday, June 14, 2011 5 years in prison for Tanya McDowell
Updated 7:53 pm, Wednesday, February 22, 2012 Tanya McDowell sentenced to 5 years in prison
#10. To: Deckard (#0)
#11. To: Gatlin (#7)
(Edited)
#12. To: nolu chan, Deckard (#9)
#13. To: Gatlin (#3)
#14. To: nativist nationalist, Deckard (#13)
#15. To: Justified (#10)
Its a catch 22 for the tax payers. If they do not deter people like her then everyone in the crappy areas will be sending all their kids to better areas until the better areas are just like the crappy areas.
According to three Norwalk arrest warrants, McDowell, who claimed to be homeless while sending her son to school in Norwalk, sold drugs to officers in Norwalk on three occasions between May 27 and June 3.
#16. To: Deckard (#5)
Charged with stealing a free education - totally bizarre.
#17. To: buckeroo (#16)
If she is actually sentenced, she stands no chance to continue her fight.
#18. To: Gatlin (#17)
#19. To: buckeroo (#18)
All the standard BS you throw at her is a clear indicator that you do not understand her motivation for the choice of schools for her child. So, now the child is on welfare.
#20. To: Gatlin (#19)
#21. To: buckeroo (#20)
You did nothing to collect your federal stipend of any worthy note.
#22. To: buckeroo (#16)
If she is actually sentenced, she stands no chance to continue her fight.
#23. To: nolu chan (#22)
#24. To: buckeroo (#23)
I was discussing her son's well being. Now, we have another ward under the care of the state.
#25. To: nolu chan (#24)
#26. To: buckeroo (#25)
Still, despite the mother's background, she was attempting to ensure the BEST education for him in order to escape the trap she was involved with.
#27. To: Deckard (#0)
#28. To: buckeroo, yukon, gatlin, freddolt, hondolt, painedolt (#14)
McDowell was also convicted of a bank robbery 10 years ago.
warriors
insane
boris
#29. To: BorisY, yukon, wrong link (#28)
RUSSIAN FILM WEEK This award-winning Russian film poses some serious questions which are all left unanswered. After his wife is nearly exposed as a Russian agent and himself facing multiple fraud lawsuits and felony charges an American billionaire and his wife take refuge in Russia only to drift apart because of a secret love triangle.
Castle(C), Stein(G), Johnson(L)
#30. To: buckeroo. yukon. gatlin, hondorapedope (#29)
jerks
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door
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wasn't
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