"I'm full of joy": Louisiana man serving life sentence for $20 marijuana charge released
By Zoe Christen Jones
December 17, 2020 / 7:36 PM
/ CBS News
A man who was serving a life sentence for selling $20 of marijuana was released from a Louisiana prison this week, his attorneys said. Fate Winslow, 53, was reunited with his children and grandchildren on Wednesday after serving 12 years in prison.
"I'm full of joy," Winslow told CBS News. "I'm so happy, man. I got to be with my family last night once I was released, and I can't explain it. I'm so happy."
In 2008, Winslow was homeless and living on the streets of Shreveport when he was approached by an undercover cop in search of marijuana, according to his attorneys at the Innocence Project New Orleans. They said Winslow borrowed a bike, returned with two dime bags of marijuana worth $20, and gave it to the officer for $5 so he could buy food. Winslow was arrested for distribution.