Phil Lewis: Crystal Mason, a Texas woman who was sentenced to 5 years in prison after she tried to cast a provisional ballot in 2016, has been acquitted She has always maintained she had no idea she was ineligible and only tried because her mom urged her to

Crystal Mason, a Texas woman who was sentenced to 5 years in prison after she tried to cast a provisional ballot in 2016, has been acquitted She has always maintained she had no idea she was ineligible and only tried because her mom urged her to

Crystal Mason: Texas woman sentenced to five years over voting error acquittedwww.theguardian.com Appeals court rules Mason, now 49, did not know she was ineligible when she voted in 2016 and throws out conviction

Let me guess, she spent more time in prison than the other white guy who did it intentionally several times on parole?

Bingo.

Five years for an honest mistake in Texas, while Paxton gets a pass on egregious public corruption.

Bingo.

bsky.app/profile/torr...

"These charges are separate from an ongoing FBI investigation into whether Paxton traded political influence for favors with real estate developer Nate Paul. The Texas Senate acquitted Paxton in an impeachment trial over related charges last year." apnews.com/article/ken-...

Texas AG Ken Paxton reaches deal to end securities fraud charges after 9 yearsapnews.com The special prosecutors would drop three felony counts against Ken Paxton if he completes the terms of the deal.

Well, I am not holding my breath for accountability.

Agreed…

Everybody knows what horseshit that was, But here's what nobody talks about, the shear hell, and financial cost. Being acquitted can be a very hollow victory,, That's the system we fight

Five years in prison for that? Seems absolutely bonkers...

It's Texas.

It’s complete bullshit, she was made a scapegoat for Texas republicans desperate to punish “voter fraud.”I’m glad she’s acquitted, that’s great news, but it should come much earlier.

I'm glad she was acquitted, but the very fact of her incarceration is example infinity of why we lose faith in America.

Gift link: "A Georgia Republican official who pushed false claims that the 2020 election was “stolen” was found to have voted illegally nine times, a judge ruled this week." wapo.st/3PDFzZe

Reconstruction should have lasted until every former confederate was dead

What the fuck did it take this long? I know the optics could be bad, but for fuck's sake, she should have been pardoned on Biden's first day in office and we should have some fucking election reform. Shit!

State courts, Biden has no pardon power there.

Wellllll fuck! ...this is some bullshit.

About time

What a horrible injustice. Very grateful for this judgment.

Today, Brian Pritchard, a Georgia Republican Party official was found guilty of illegally voting nine (9) times and was sentenced to a $5,000 fine and a public reprimand.

Tells me everything I need to know about justice and equity. Hint: neither exist.

She suffered harsher consequences than Trump did for trying to overthrow the government.

Legal system is fucked man. Can't imagine having 5 years or more of your life wasted over shit like this.

How much time, if any, did she spend in prison?

None directly for this, but simply having been charged was a parole violation on a previous, federal charge. She wasn't properly instructed on release or by PO. She was returned to federal prison for the violation. Don't recall for how long. TX wanted 5yr on top of that.

She was voting as part of her commitment to do things the right way, making proper contribution to society.

Thanks for the info - TX is a legal & political hellhole.

My first question also. "After Mason was arrested in 2017, she lost her job at a bank. She was also sent back to federal prison for several months for being arrested while on probation for a federal crime. During that time, she almost lost her home to foreclosure."

Thank goodness for small favors

Thank God. If there were justice she could sue Texas for millions.

Everyone deserves justice.

This woman deserves revenge on a system that deliberately stole from her.

If you were her lawyer, what compensation would you request?

A punishment of her choosing to be inflicted upon those who chose her sentence. They like to dish it out, so let them taste it themselves. We’ve taken the high road for too long when it comes to systemic injustice.

Justice as handed out by whom? The laws of Texas had one version and Tennessee had another. Both have similar laws and judges.

What is justice? Both are good questions.

They took a lot of years away from her for an honest mistake. Even if she did it knowingly that’s messed up.

What a stupid country.

Just ... wow. So, we can expect that Republican who's gone viral for voting illegal nine times to spend 45 years in prison?

^illegal^illegally Or, you know, not. www.ajc.com/politics/geo...

Georgia judge rules that Republican Brian K. Pritchard voted illegallywww.ajc.com A judge ruled that Georgia Republican Party Vice Chairman Brian K. Pritchard voted illegally nine times while serving a felony sentence for check forgery.

This is such a travesty...

✊✊✊✊✊

About time!

Texas should give her $25M for her troubles.

Mens Rea, literally guilty mind, or intent, is considered to be a necessary component of guilt. If she was acquitted on review, I would love to see how they demonstrated intent or premeditation to commit voter fraud in the original case.

justice moves slow as molasses in Texas, if it moves at all.

God! Finally, some good news today🙏🏽

At what cost? She was sentenced merely months after voting. She served her now wrongful sentence. Yes, she’s been acquitted but what about her kids? The family dynamic? Will the election staff be held accountable? She was imprisoned for their mistake.

The fact that Bannon still isn't behind bars, while she was was making me sick. Hope she sues for kajillions in damages

Post