Police officers in St. Louis County, Missouri, are advocating for the release of a convicted robber named Paige Spears. Spears, now 62 years old, was convicted of an armed robbery in Ferguson back in 1988 when he was 27 years old. Although no shots were fired and no one was hurt during the robbery, Spears was sentenced to life in prison under an old three-strikes-and-you’re-out law that was in effect at the time of his crime.
Interestingly, Missouri changed this law shortly after Spears was convicted, but the change was not made retroactive to include individuals like Spears. This has left Spears serving a life sentence despite showing signs of rehabilitation during his time in prison. In fact, Spears now teaches rehabilitation classes to other inmates at the penitentiary.
Retired Sgt. John Frank and a group of law enforcement officials, who host a police podcast called “The Brighter Side of Blue,” have taken up Spears’ cause for freedom. Initially skeptical, their colleague retired Major Dan Howard did his research and concluded that Spears deserves a chance to be released.
According to Howard, Spears should be given the opportunity to make room for another dangerous criminal in prison. Under current laws, Spears would have been eligible for parole a decade ago, but due to the outdated law, he is not eligible for parole for more than ten years.
In a phone interview from prison, Spears expressed his gratitude for the support he is receiving from law enforcement officers who are advocating for his release. His 88-year-old mother, Betty Cummings, also expressed her gratitude for the help her son is receiving, stating that she has been let down many times before.
Spears’ only hope for freedom now lies in clemency from Missouri’s governor. Frank has confirmed that there is a request for clemency currently pending in the governor’s office, but it remains unclear whether it is being considered.
The case of Paige Spears highlights the complexities and injustices that can arise from outdated laws and the importance of second chances for individuals who have shown signs of rehabilitation. It also underscores the power of advocacy and support, even from unexpected sources like law enforcement officials, in seeking justice and fairness in the legal system.
