this post was submitted on 23 Mar 2025
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Summary

A West Virginia couple, Jeanne Kay Whitefeather and Donald Lantz, received prison sentences of 215 and 160 years, respectively, for forcing their five adopted Black children into slave labor.

Authorities discovered the abuse after a welfare check revealed children locked in a shed without water or sanitation.

The couple, charged with human trafficking, child neglect, and forced labor, targeted the children because of their race.

The court ordered them to pay $280,000 in restitution each.

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[–] Gates9@sh.itjust.works 26 points 6 days ago (1 children)
[–] ILikeBoobies@lemmy.ca 1 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Movie name?

I think that’s the one where his daughter was raped

[–] root_beer@midwest.social 1 points 5 days ago

A Time to Kill

[–] LaterRedditor@lemmy.world 24 points 6 days ago (1 children)
[–] LifeInMultipleChoice@lemmy.world 16 points 6 days ago (2 children)
[–] SoftestSapphic@lemmy.world 10 points 6 days ago (1 children)

While I get what you mean, they were arrested, detained, charged, and convicted by the state. They will be in a state prison. Unless Trump is going to send the military to raid the prison, I don't see the state changing its mind.

[–] SchwertImStein@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 6 days ago (2 children)

he can't pardon state sentences?

[–] OmegaMan@lemmings.world 8 points 6 days ago

No, only the governor of that state can do that.

That's why people like Loraine Pellegrino are still on probation for forging the fake electors and trying to steal the 2020 election. MAGA doesnt mention the people that still have charges and convictions against them for their illegal acts. He only could pardon the charges brought by the federal government.

[–] Formfiller@lemmy.world 1 points 4 days ago

Sounds like they’re heading for a pardon and a cabinet position soon

[–] Dropper_Post@lemm.ee -1 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago)

it is funny that nobody finds this funny.

[–] Arbiter@lemmy.world 224 points 1 week ago (3 children)

“I just want the court to know that I have made mistakes I am very sorry for that and I love my children and I have never, ever, done anything to my ... children to harm them intentionally,”

So what, you just accidentally locked them in a shed and forced them into slave labor? What the fuck is this apology.

[–] Adulated_Aspersion@lemmy.world 99 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

I wonder if they have biological children and meant them.

Source: haven't read the article.

Edit: read the article. Still don't know.

[–] NobodyElse@sh.itjust.works 80 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I’m just surprised that the apology didn’t mention Jesus even once.

[–] TachyonTele@lemm.ee 29 points 1 week ago

Brain farts and prayers

[–] NateNate60@lemmy.world 54 points 1 week ago (2 children)

Even though by the time the hearing commences, the judge has already usually decided on the sentence, every competent criminal defence lawyer will advise their client to grovel and beg for mercy at the sentencing for two reasons:

  1. Acting recalcitrant could upset the judge and result in a heavier sentence than the judge originally planned because they feel a need to make an example of the defendant.
  2. Not being apologetic damages your future chances of parole when the parole board looks at the tape or record of the sentencing.
[–] Tedesche@lemmy.world 33 points 1 week ago (2 children)

Ah, yes, the parole they might receive when the parole board reviews their case in [checks watch] 80-100 years.

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[–] Mog_fanatic@lemmy.world 180 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

“You brought these kids to West Virginia, a place as I know as almost heaven and put them in hell. The court will now put you in yours. May God have mercy on your souls, because this court will not."

Circuit Court Judge MaryClaire Akers

That's kinda fire actually

[–] Mirshe@lemmy.world 85 points 1 week ago (2 children)

Reminder that West Virginia exists exclusively because of slavery. Especially that part of Appalachia was a HUGE haven for self emancipated people and free black people alike, because if you get deep enough into the mountains, you basically cease to exist as a legal entity unless people want to put a significant amount of effort into reaching you and the same amount in extricating you.

[–] Schadrach@lemmy.sdf.org 16 points 6 days ago (1 children)

I always find the people here with Confederate flags claiming it's about heritage to be the most ridiculous. The state was founded during the Civil War and is the part of Virginia that stayed with the Union, how in the everloving fuck is a Confederate flag part of our heritage?

[–] harmsy@lemmy.world 3 points 5 days ago

If it was about heritage, it would be half-burned and covered in boot prints.

[–] vaultdweller013@sh.itjust.works 43 points 1 week ago (1 children)

It was also arguably the heart of Ol' John Browns crusade against twisted institution of slavery. I usually find Evangelicals both living and dead to be morally reprehensible weaklings who take their own gods name in vain, John Brown is one of the few I would be willing to shake the hand of.

[–] acockworkorange@mander.xyz 3 points 6 days ago

John Brown did nothing wrong.

[–] GrymEdm@lemmy.world 118 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (2 children)
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[–] YtA4QCam2A9j7EfTgHrH@infosec.pub 98 points 1 week ago (12 children)
[–] mosiacmango@lemm.ee 80 points 1 week ago (2 children)

John brown smiles upon you:

[–] gravitas_deficiency@sh.itjust.works 35 points 1 week ago (4 children)

John brown did nothing wrong

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[–] WeirdGoesPro@lemmy.dbzer0.com 67 points 1 week ago (1 children)
[–] Fiivemacs@lemmy.ca 87 points 1 week ago (21 children)

Watch donald pardon them and give them a job doing ethics or bs. He wants outrage

[–] Diplomjodler3@lemmy.world 33 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Donnie just found his new education secretary.

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[–] AlecSadler@sh.itjust.works 33 points 1 week ago (6 children)
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[–] rustyfish@lemmy.world 32 points 1 week ago (1 children)

It takes a cartoonish level of cruelty that your verdict sounds like a made up rage bait article that tries way too hard.

Fuck you. I hope they get the same treatment as kiddy fiddlers in prison.

[–] LifeInMultipleChoice@lemmy.world 12 points 6 days ago (1 children)

I may have laughed when I read this line from the judge, “You brought these kids to West Virginia, a place as I know as almost heaven and put them in hell,” Either she has a lot of pride for West Virginia or the cartoonist part was present during the trial as well.

[–] WhatsTheHoldup@lemmy.ml 10 points 6 days ago (1 children)

"Almost heaven, West Virginia. Blue Ridge Mountains, Shanendoah River.

Life is old there, older than the trees.

Younger than the mountains, growing like the breeze.

Country roads,, take me home, to the place I belong"

[–] monotremata@lemmy.ca 1 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Funny thing about that--the authors had no significant ties to West Virginia and were instead inspired by a road trip through Maryland. https://www.baltimoreexaminer.com/john-denver-country-roads/

[–] root_beer@midwest.social 2 points 5 days ago

I’d once heard that it wasn’t even about West Virginia, the state, but rather west Virginia, the region. Dunno about the veracity of that statement, but

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