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Alabama Man Sentenced to Life without Parole in 1983 for Stealing $50 from Bakery to Be Freed
Man, who was sentenced for life imprisonment without parole in 1983 has had his sentence changed. He will be freed after spending 36 years in prison.
Justice has been served! This time, however, it is not sending someone to prison, but releasing.
Alvin Kennard, once serving life without parole, released from prison after a judge sentenced him to time served. Mr. Kennard served 36 years after robbing a bakery. His LWOP sentence was mandatory under Alabama’s habitual offender law because of prior nonviolent crimes. pic.twitter.com/ljTXffQJC6
— Beth Shelburne (@bshelburne) August 30, 2019
As reported by WBRC, an Alabama man who was sentenced to life in 1983 for stealing $50 from a bakery is now a free man after spending more than 30 years behind bars.
According to the news agency, the man named Alvin Kennard was serving life without parole because he violated Alabama’s old three-strikes law.
Earlier, Alvin was charged with three counts of second-degree burglary in relation to a burglary he committed in 1979. As a result, he was sentenced to three years of probation.
I just witnessed the most extraordinary moment. Judge David Carpenter in Bessemer, AL has resentenced Alvin Kennard to time served after he got life without parole for robbing a bakery of $50 in 1983. He is now 58 & was 22 when he committed the robbery. pic.twitter.com/CYeWsnHmVG
— Beth Shelburne (@bshelburne) August 28, 2019
In 1983, he was charged and convicted of robbery in the first degree, making it the second strike. His third strike was when he robbed a bakery of $50.
The robbery was committed with a knife, but no one was injured or killed thankfully. It was then he was sentenced to life. At the time, he was just 22 years old.
Now 58, Alvin is going home to his loved ones. Circuit Judge David Carpenter had mercy on him and changed his sentence.
His loved ones on hearing the great news were filled with joy.
Alvin Kennard was sentenced to life in prison at age 22 for stealing $50 from a bakery — after 36 years, he will walk free pic.twitter.com/iHS8AR6HFu
— NowThis (@nowthisnews) August 30, 2019
His niece, Patricia Jones, said:
“He says he wants to get him a job, he wants to support himself, and we’re going to support him.”
His attorney, Carla Crowder described Alvin as “overwhelmed” with the new update.
Alvin Kennard is set to be freed from prison in the next few days after 36 years behind bars.
— ABC News (@ABC) August 30, 2019
His crime: Stealing $50.75 from a bakery in 1984. https://t.co/6UoiERpAQx
Speaking about his growth, Carla said:
“What’s extraordinary about Mr. Kennard is that even when he thought he was going to be in prison for the rest of his life, he really turned his life around.”
Update on Alvin Kennard. He was not immediately released after a judge re-sentenced him to time served. He's got to go back to the William E Donaldson Prison where he's been incarcerated to be processed out. It may be a few days before he's freed and reunited with his family. pic.twitter.com/bO8emwJ3tw
— Beth Shelburne (@bshelburne) August 29, 2019
She continued:
“He is overwhelmed at this opportunity, but has remained close with his family, so he has incredible support.”
Alvin Kennard was 22 when he was sent to prison for robbing a Bessemer bakery and stealing $50. Due to the state's "three strikes" guidelines, he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
— Drew Taylor (@MrDrew_Taylor) August 28, 2019
Kennard, now 58, will soon be a free man. https://t.co/HKPwImiDT9 pic.twitter.com/4sk44mC9GR
Kennard disclosed to the judge that he would live with his family in Bessemer and work as a carpenter.
