Newark, NJ (AP) — Former Army Major who said prosecutors routinely beat young caregiver children and refused food and water to them because punishment avoided increasing prison time. And defeated the first two because his wife was too generous.
Judge Catherine Hayden of the U.S. District Court, who presided over John and Carolyn Jackson’s 2015 trial and ruled two times in the past, said longer imprisonment was “unnecessary punishment.” The all-day decision was closed on the grounds of “.”
Carolyn Jackson, who had already been sentenced to two 40-month prison sentences, was sentenced to imprisonment on Wednesday and released under surveillance for an additional year. After the probationary period, John Jackson was sentenced to 18 months of house arrest.
In 2015, a US law firm sentenced the couple to imprisonment for more than 15 years after being convicted of the dangers of multiple children. After the first decision was withdrawn, Hayden extended the decision in 2018, which was also dismissed in the appeal.
On Wednesday, the prosecutor recommended a range of judgments of 9 to 11 years. They challenged Hayden’s decision, calling it inadequate and accusing her of failing to follow the guidelines set by the Court of Appeals.
The US Attorney General did not comment immediately on Wednesday.
The fact that the trial took place in federal court complicated the case’s decision as Jackson lived in Picatinny Arsenal, a military facility in New Jersey during the period in question. Since child danger is not a federal crime, state danger accusations have been integrated into federal indictments to go along with conspiracy counts and two federal assault counts.
Jackson was acquitted of the assault cases, but prosecutors insisted that Hayden should rule them on the basis of the assault guidelines. Defendant lawyers alleged that the prosecutor did not link certain actions by Jackson to the injuries suffered by the children.
On Wednesday, Hayden appeared largely undisturbed by the prosecution’s allegations and refused to draw a direct line between most of the couple’s actions, such as the administration of hot sauce, and the injuries of the children. She also questioned the testimony of Jackson’s biological son’s trial of witnessing abuse, which was an important part of the prosecution’s case.
Hayden added that Jackson made a “misplaced and harmful choice” but did not believe the evidence showed that “Jackson was a monster.”
Jackson’s trial produced testimony that three foster children broke when they were taken home in 2010 and had severe underweight and other health problems. Hot sauce as a punishment.
A fourth foster child who cares for them died, but Jackson was not charged with his death. At the trial, Jackson’s lawyer claimed that the children had existing health problems and said the couple’s parenting method might be unconventional but not a crime.