In 2008, Fate Winslow was approached by an undercover officer who asked him where he could buy marijuana. Mr. Winslow said he didn’t sell it but could find someone who did if he could keep $5 for himself. He took the officer’s money, purchased $20 worth of marijuana from a dealer, and gave it to the officer. He was arrested for distribution of marijuana. The dealer, who was found with the officer’s money in his possession, was not arrested. Mr. Winslow was convicted at trial. He had prior non-violent convictions which allowed the district attorney to seek a sentencing enhancement under the habitual offender statutes. Mr. Winslow was sentenced to life without parole. Under today’s laws this sentence would be illegal.
In 2020, Innocence & Justice Louisiana enrolled in his case and filed a motion seeking a new sentence for him in light of the fact that his trial attorney did no advocacy on his behalf when it came to his sentence. Prosecutors agreed that Mr. Winslow was entitled to relief. He was resentenced to time served. He was released in December 2020, after 12 years in prison.
Mr. Winslow passed away in Shreveport on Tuesday, May 4th, 2021, only 5 months after he regained his freedom.
