Bryant v. State, Pinellas County no. 1964-15223CFANO

Another Win! Bryant v. State, Pinellas County no. 1964-15223CFANO.

In 1964 a 14-year old African American boy played a minor role in robbing a white man in St. Petersburg. Two other boys robbed the man by knocking him down and taking his watch and about $90; value on the watch was about $15. No weapon was used. Dwight Bryant, the 14-year old boy I mentioned, received $10 from the robbery that occurred a couple of blocks away from where he was sitting in a car waiting. All four boys confessed to the crime and apologized. For this crime, the high school sophomore with a straight A record and no prior criminal record, received a LIFE SENTENCE IN PRISON. He literally grew up in prison.

Mr. Bryant was paroled 3 times and each time he violated the conditions of his parole due to drug use. In 1980, he was convicted for possession of cocaine and was sentenced to 40 additional years in prison to be served consecutive to his Life sentence. That meant that if he ever was paroled again, he would be paroled “in to” his 40-year consecutive sentence to start serving that sentence. He was a dead man walking.

Through the years the Parole Commission denied Mr. Bryant any opportunity for release despite his exemplary prison record, no disciplinary reports for over 53 years and multiple program completions, GED, etc.

In 1993 I met Dwight when he was the senior law clerk at Hamilton C.I. Dwight hired me as a law clerk trainee and thus started my legal career. He was my mentor and friend.

Fast forward to 2017, I was happy to speak on behalf of Dwight at his Parole Hearing in Tallahassee and was successful in getting him referred to the Shearns Transition Program for Lifers at the Everglades prison. But it gets better.

In early 2018 I asked my friend Attorney Brett McIntosh for a favor in representing Dwight in challenging his Life sentence. Attorney McIntosh granted my request and Dwight hired Brett McIntosh, PA, to represent him in court. I drafted a Motion for Post Conviction Relief/Correction of Illegal Sentence for the case and Attorney McIntosh represented him.

On Thursday, August 16, 2018, Judge Nancy Moate Ley vacated Dwight’s Life sentence and re-sentenced him to 2-years of probation with a heart-felt apology for the travesty of justice that had occurred in his case. At 9:30 p.m. that night, Mr. Bryant walked out of the Pinellas County Jail free and into his family’s arms.

A huge shout-out to Brett McIntosh Law (941) 364-8002 for his excellent and zealous representation of Mr. Bryant in both his Parole Hearings and his Pinellas County case.

Also, a huge shout-out to Assistant State Attorney Sara Macks who exemplified the high character and professionalism all State Attorneys should show when she saw the travesty of justice in this case and worked to correct it in Mr. Bryant’s favor.

Last but not least, a huge dose of gratitude to Judge Nancy Moate Ley who resided over this case with compassion, wisdom and justice over this case. She is a credit to the bench as ASA Macks is a credit to the State Attorney’s Office.

Sunday I had lunch with my old friend by the bay in St. Pete, life is good for him today.

I am proud to announce that Dwight Bryant will be joining the Prisoner Connections Team as a Parole Specialist and legal consultant.
Again, if you want solid, dependable and zealous legal representation, it’s my opinion that you will find none better than Brett McIntosh Law.