The court granted compassionate release under the First Step Act due to the individual's pre-existing health issues and risk of contracting of COVID-19, along with his excellent behavior during the 21 years he has been in prison. The incarcerated individual was convicted due to his participation in three armed robberies, although the bulk of the offense was carried about by another individual, and "Morris did not hold a gun during the robberies, go inside the banks, or threaten anyone with violence." Morris had since reached the age of 64 and had multiple pre-existing conditions such as atrial fibrillation, hypertension, and obesity. Although there are no cases of COVID-19 at the prison, the court ruled that Morris would be at considerable risk of infection were the disease to enter the facility, especially given that he "suffers from an inadequately treated heart condition." The court also emphasized that "Morris has been a model inmate and has received praise from prison staff for his behavior" specifically noting that "he has taken dozens of courses, become a leader of a spiritual counseling group, and trained as an inmate suicide watch and mental health companion."
United States v. Morris, No. CR99-0174-JCC, 2020 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 108905 (W.D. Wash. June 22, 2020)
DETAILS
Decision
Date
6/22/2020
Practice Area
Criminal (Federal Charges)
Relief Requested
Release
Type of Court
Federal District Court
Location
Washington
Type of Case
Individual
Case Characteristics
Post-Conviction Detention [jail or prison], Pre-Existing Health Conditions
Release Granted
Yes
Compassionate Release Case
Yes
Case Tracking Number
2:99-cr-00174-JCC
MORE CASE INFORMATION
Court Name
W.D. Wash.
Decision
Motion Granted
Place of Incarceration
Federal Prison
Name of Facility
FCI Sheridan
Legal Authority
First Step Act, 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(1)(A)
Release Conditions
Immediate release from prison upon which he will begin his 5 years of supervised release
Convictions
Conspiracy to commit armed bank robbery; armed bank robbery; use of a firearm during a crime of violence (armed bank robbery); assault on a federal officer by means and use of a dangerous weapon; use of a firearm during a crime of violence (assault on a federal officer)
Crowdsourced legal documents from around the country related to COVID-19 and incarceration, organized, collected, and summarized for public defenders, litigators, and other advocates. Created and managed by Bronx Defenders, Columbia Law School’s Center for Institutional and Social Change, UCLA Law COVID-19 Behind Bars Data Project, and Zealous. Mostly federal court opinions, but now expanding to states and legal filings, declarations, and exhibits.
This resource is designed to help lawyers, advocates, researchers, journalists, and others interested in challenging, remedying, or drawing attention to the grave risk that Covid-19 poses to individuals who are detained.