Trump intervenes in inmate case after Kardashian pressure
The reality TV star hails Trump's "inspirational" move to reduce the sentence of the 63-year-old woman serving life in prison.
Thursday 7 June 2018 04:21, UK
Donald Trump is reportedly set to pardon several prisoners, including a 63-year-old woman, who Kim Kardashian West campaigned for.
The White House has confirmed the US leader is commuting - or reducing - the life sentence of Alice Marie Johnson, who was convicted of drug offences and was championed by the reality TV star.
Johnson has already spent more than 20 years in prison and is not eligible for parole. She was convicted in 1996 on eight counts related to a cocaine trafficking ring in Memphis.
The move follows several pardons reportedly issued by Mr Trump. It comes after the Keeping Up with the Kardashians star visited the White House and spoke to the president in May about Johnson.
Reacting to the news on Twitter, Kardashian West wrote: "BEST NEWS EVER!!!!"
"So grateful to @realDonaldTrump, Jared Kushner & to everyone who has showed compassion & contributed countless hours to this important moment for Ms. Alice Marie Johnson," she continued. "Her commutation is inspirational & gives hope to so many others who are also deserving of a second chance.
"I hope to continue this important work by working together with organizations who have been fighting this fight for much longer than I have and deserve the recognition."
The television personality later tweeted to say she spoke to Johnson on the phone to tell her the news, saying the phone call was "one of my best memories".
"Telling her for the first time and hearing her screams while crying together is a moment I will never forget," she added.
Previous appeals to the US Supreme Court have been thrown out and court records show Johnson has a motion pending for a reduction in her sentence.
However, prosecutors are against the idea. In a court filing they say the sentence meets guidelines based on the large quantity of drugs involved in the crime.
A request for clemency was rejected by former leader Barack Obama, according justice advocacy group Can-Do and one of Johnson's lawyers. The reasons for it being rejected are not clear.
In a statement confirming the commutation, the White House said: "Ms Johnson has accepted responsibility for her past behaviour and has been a model prisoner over the past two decades.
"Despite receiving a life sentence, Alice worked hard to rehabilitate herself in prison, and act as a mentor to her fellow inmates."
Two sources told CNN the White House had prepared the paperwork to pardon dozens more people.