Crime

Man Sentenced to Life Without Parole Released From Jefferson City Prison

KBIA | By Associated Press
Published September 1, 2015 at 5:30 PM CDT
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Email
The administration building is one of the oldest on the prison site. Its decaying façade sits opposite a recently-opened federal courthouse across the street.
Samantha Sunne

A Missouri man sentenced to life in prison for marijuana charges has been released after spending two decades behind bars.

  Jeff Mizanskey walked out of the Jefferson City Correctional Center this morning. His release comes after persistent lobbying from family members, lawmakers, and marijuana-legalization supporters.

Mizanskey had been convicted of three separate marijuana-related charges between 1984 and 1996, and Missouri law at the time called for a sentence of life in prison without parole.

Governor Jay Nixon commuted Mizanskey's sentence in May, making him eligible for parole.

Crimejeff mizanskeymarijuanaJefferson City
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Email
Associated Press
The Associated Press is one of the largest and most trusted sources of independent newsgathering, supplying a steady stream of news to its members, international subscribers and commercial customers. AP is neither privately owned nor government-funded; instead, it's a not-for-profit news cooperative owned by its American newspaper and broadcast members.
See stories by Associated Press
Related Content
  1. Gov. Nixon Commutes Jeff Mizanskey's Life Without Parole Sentence for Drug Charges
  2. Jefferson City Mayor Issues Anti-Marijuana Proclamation
  3. Hear a former inmate's story from MSP