January 30, 2007 - Federal District Court Reduces Life Sentence to Ten Years

January 30, 2007, federal district court, the Honorable Harvey E. Schlesinger, reduced Avise Hunter's sentence from mandatory life to ten years imprisonment (29 year old client has already served six years leaving two years nine months to be served) after life sentence in drug conspiracy case was vacated based on Mr. Kent's pro bono 2255 petition arguments.  This reduction was based purely on legal arguments regarding the sentence and was not based in any way on substantial assistance.  The client refused to provide substantial assistance.  -  Judge Schlesinger deserves recognition for this good deed.  After Amendment 706 (the crack amendment) this client was released with time served.  From natural life to time served - a dramatic turn around for a client who went to trial and was convicted in a crack cocaine conspiracy and who never engaged in substantial assistance.