NAACP Wants Probe Of "Barbie Bandits" Case

Georgia Chapter Asks State Why White Female Defendants Got Lighter Sentence For Bank Heist

(AP)  The head of the Georgia NAACP called for the state to investigate the sentences given in the so-called "Barbie bandits" bank theft case, saying the two white defendants got less prison time than two black men.

Edward DuBose said Monday he will ask state Attorney General Thurbert Baker to look into the case.

Baker's office said Tuesday the attorney general had not received any complaints in the case.

Last month, Cobb County Superior Court Judge Mary Staley sentenced 20-year-old Heather Johnston to 10 years probation after she pleaded guilty to a charge of theft by taking in the 2007 heist. The judge gave 19-year-old Ashley Miller two years in jail and eight years probation. Both women are white.

Michael Chastang, 28, was sentenced to 10 years for being the mastermind of the robbery, and bank teller Bennie Allen III, 23, who pleaded guilty, was sentenced to five years. Both men are black. Chastang also is serving 15 years on unrelated drug-trafficking charges and Allen was on probation for a drug conviction.

Johnston and Miller - both former exotic dancers who went by the stage names "Charlie" and "Adrienne" - were nicknamed the "Barbie bandits" after they were videotaped wearing sunglasses and laughing as they appeared to rob a Bank of America branch in Acworth of $11,000.

[jt_lancer]

I was going to make some smarmy remark about the NAACP seeking relevancy here, but they are making a legitimate point.

Probation for armed robbery? What he hell?

[andrew0120]

Oh come on! Give it a rest. They coorperated with investigators and from the sound of it, the guys both have criminal histories. The heist was not violent in anyway. Why does everything have to be about race?

[caliengineer]

If you don''t know all the facts, don''t judge. The ones who got the least time were rookies recruited by the others. The ones who got the most time talked the others into it, and had a record. Remember, under the "3 strikes" law, a second offense increases max. penalties.

Additionally, the woman who got 2 years had completely transformed her life and had pastors come forward to vouch for her. Prison is supposed to reform. If reformation already happened, what then?
I''m okay with it.

I''m sure the judge struggled with ''how will this look?''. And, then she decided the way she did.

[minnick8-2009]

smitty

I hope you don''t think that every woman in America is " . . a feminist element." I did serve in the military honorably for 3 years during the Vietnam war. Did you? I have written to my Senators and Congressman advocating that the US start drafting persons into the military. However, I don''t believe I want women drafted, and if that happens, I''m taking my daughters and granddaughters and moving out of the country.

[Syndicate]

The head of the Georgia NAACP is a racist or an ignorant black man. If these had been black women he would have said nothing. If the men were white and the women black again he would have said nothing. Lets examine the facts. Both males are older and have previous convictions. Both females are young with clean records and not much up stairs. They didn''t use a gun they didn''t hurt anyone. They were obviously pawns. There is a reason why girls gone wild targets this age group. I have complete faith had only the races been reversed the sentences would have been the same. The punishments seem fair to me.

[jjarden]

Since WHEN do "Bank Robbers" get "Probation"? This is Ridiculous!...and Outrageous!. If you Rob and F''ing Bank you''re SUPPOSED to do HARD TIME. Heck, people will now thin, "Why don''t we all just go out and rob a bank if that''s the only sentence we''ll get"? Don;t be surprised at the flood of Bank Robberies now. A Liberal Judge...makes me SICK! It should make you sick too!

[smitty448]

minnick8

You personify perfectly my point. You are a member of this country''s entitled class aka Women. American women expect all the privelages without any accountability. I hope your daughters enjoy their undeserved citizenship. Good luck finding a country where your daughters will not be required to serve. America is the last civilized nation that does not register and conscript it''s female citizens for service.

[smitty448]

minnick8

You personify perfectly my point. You are a member of this country''s entitled class aka Women. American women expect all the privelages without any accountability. I hope your daughters enjoy their undeserved citizenship. Good luck finding a country where your daughters will not be required to serve. America is the last civilized nation that does not register and conscript it''s female citizens for service.

[tomanyt]

I don''t think their skin color is the issue. Its their gender. If they had been male, they would definitely have received a harsher sentence.

[tomanyt]

The NAACP is playing the racial card again. I do wish they would go away. I''m pretty sure we will be hearing from Al and Jesse really soon.

[aldon61]

On the face of this, I agree the sentencing should be investigated. However, if the only determining factors are as I understand: 1.) Prior felony convictions for both men, and 2.) The men masterminded the heist (inside job as I remember), then I have no problem with the longer sentences. That said, both women in my opinion should have had SOME hard time; two years sounds appropriate. The one that skated with 10 years probation is one very lucky lady and I hope she keeps her nose clean because the next judge she sees will must likely throw the book at her.

[tomanyt]

"Both men are black. Chastang also is serving 15 years on unrelated drug-trafficking charges and Allen was on probation for a drug conviction." This might explain the sentences that were handed out.

[smitty448]

tomanyt says "don''''t think their skin color is the issue. Its their gender. If they had been male, they would definitely have received a harsher sentence."

That''s exactly the issue. AMEICAN Women are not equal men and don''t want to be when it comes to: Selective Service. Men, at age 18, are required to register for Selective Service aka THE DRAFT or be denied financial assistance, mortgage loans, etc. AMERICAN women, however, get a free ride as this country''s entitled class: Privilage without Accountability.

[smitty448]

tomanyt says "don''t think their skin color is the issue. Its their gender. If they had been male, they would definitely have received a harsher sentence."

That''s exactly the issue. AMEICAN Women are not equal to men and don''t want to be when it comes to Selective Service. Men, at age 18, are required to register for Selective Service aka THE DRAFT or be denied financial assistance, mortgage loans, etc. AMERICAN women, however, get a free ride as this country''s entitled class: Privilage without Accountability.

[smitty448]

Hey minnick8!

You personify perfectly my point. You are a member of this country''s entitled class aka Women. American women expect all the privelages without any accountability. Good luck finding a country where your daughters will not be required to serve. America is the last civilized nation that does not register and conscript it''s female citizens for service.

[megamanx1-2009]

WHITE WOMEN = PROBATION

EVERYONE ELSE = SEE YA IN H.E.L.L.

[tomanyt]

MegamanX1 the racist black is back.

[megamanx1-2009]

LOL JUST FOR YOU MY SPECIAL TOMANYT THE RACIST WHITE.

:)

[smitty448]

MegamanX1 is correct.

Furthermore, White AMERICAN women are not respected as equals and will never be treated the same as White AMERICAN men in the eyes of the law. This slap on the wrist for these two women is a slap in the face to all equal rights feminists. It shows that the laws in American still do not recognize women as equals to men. They can''t carry the burden of harsh jail terms, selective service, or anything else that might reveal their inferiority.

[megamanx1-2009]

YOU KNOW WHAT I SAID WAS TRUE TOMANYT....UNDENIABLE

[tomanyt]

MegamanX1...Go to back to Africa and see if you get treated any better there. It isn''t always about the black man being kept down. That''s the racist in you coming out.

[tomanyt]

LOL JUST FOR YOU MY SPECIAL TOMANYT THE RACIST WHITE.

:)

Posted by MegamanX1
Now that''s clever. I sure hope you didn''t waste to much energy on that.

[megamanx1-2009]

IM NOT SAYING THE BLACK GUYS SHOULDN''T GET THE SENTENCES THEY DID, BUT COME ON, THOSE GIRLS WERE PHYSICALLY IN BANK ROBBING THE PLACE. THEY SHOULD DO SOME SERIOUS HARD TIME. WOW......

[tomanyt]

MegamanX1...True. However, the men that were involved had a prior history. That automatically gets them a heavier sentence.

[megamanx1-2009]

Now that''''s clever. I sure hope you didn''''t waste to much energy on that.


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Posted by tomanyt at 02:17 PM : Apr 08, 2008

NAH, TOOK ABOUT 5 SECONDS TO THINK UP. BUT YOU CAN''T DENY THAT I MADE A VALID POINT. I''M NOT RACIST (OR IN THIS CASE SEXIST), I JUST CALL IT LIKE I SEE IT :D

HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF SOMEONE GETTING PROBABTION FOR ARMED ROBBERY?? I JUST SAW A STORY ON CBS ABOUT A GUY WHO WAS A BANK ROBBER AND HE GOT 9 YEARS.....

[beader59]

First off, it sounds like the black men have records and the white girls had no previous records. From what I understand of our laws, the criminal background of the criminals can play apart in the sentence. That just doesn''t sound racist to me.

[smitty448]

The LAW recognizes the inferiority of women in this country. AMERICAN women aren''t expected to be accountable for their actions under law. They can vote but aren''t required to register for the draft. They can rob banks but aren''t required to serve time. Women are the entited class: PRIVILAGE WITHOUT ACCOUNTABILITY

[option-allie]

These troubled *** need to choose another career path. Any stripper of decent quality should bring in 500-1000 bucks a night. They failed as crooks, they failed as strippers.

[megamanx1-2009]

First off, it sounds like the black men have records and the white girls had no previous records. From what I understand of our laws, the criminal background of the criminals can play apart in the sentence. That just doesn''''t sound racist to me.


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Posted by beader59 at 02:22 PM : Apr 08, 2008

PRIOR RECORD DOES PLAY A FACTOR. SO THE GUYS SHOULD GET 10 YEARS AND THE GIRLS 5-7 YEARS. NOT PROBABTION...PLEASE!!

[dodaz-2009]

Uh,.. Because they are YOUNG, White,.. and good looking young women,..that IS why they got a lighter sentence,.. TAAH-DAAH

[displeased]

PRIOR RECORD DOES PLAY A FACTOR. SO THE GUYS SHOULD GET 10 YEARS AND THE GIRLS 5-7 YEARS. NOT PROBABTION...PLEASE!!
Posted by MegamanX1

Why not give the girls probation. Allen was on probation. Or should he have not been offered the same treatment originally?

[tomanyt]

MegamanX1...I do agree with you on the probation for armed robbery. I think their sentence should have been as long as the men''s. Why was one of the girls give two years and probation and the other only probation.

[republic1776]

This is not a race issue.
It''s a rich issue.
Just like oj was justice for a rich man.

[displeased]

Why was one of the girls give two years and probation and the other only probation.
Posted by tomanyt

I didn''t realize one girl got probation only. She should do some jail time like the other, unless there are circumstances we''re not aware of.

[megamanx1-2009]

Why not give the girls probation. Allen was on probation. Or should he have not been offered the same treatment originally?


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Posted by Displeased at 02:33 PM : Apr 08, 2008

IT''S POSSIBLE HE GOT A GOOD DEAL AS WELL. I CAN''T SAY BECAUSE I DON''T KNOW THE NATURE OF HIS CRIME IT JUST SAYS "DRUG CONVICTION" BUT GIVES NO DETAILS. WHAT I DO KNOW IS, THESE GIRLS ARE FELON BANK ROBBERS AND ONE OF THEM MANAGED TO GET NO JAIL TIME...WHEN YOU ARE FEMALE, YOUNG AND WHITE YOU CAN GET PROBABTION FOR MURDER. BEING GOOD LOOKING HELPS AS WELL BUT I WON''T SAY IT HELPED IN THIS CASE BECAUSE AS YOU CAN SEE BY THAT PICTURE ABOVE THAT GIRL IS HIDEOUS WITHOUT TONS OF MAKEUP ON..

[excoachken]

By whatever scale is used, this is unfair, and somebody should pay for this injustice.

[cheddarboy82]

um, one violated his probation, the other was the mastermind with priors. Whats racist about giving them harsher sentences ? Are the NAACP full of retards or something. It''s clear as day why they got harsher sentences.

[tomanyt]

displeased...Superior Court Judge Mary Staley sentenced 20-year-old Heather Johnston to 10 years probation after she pleaded guilty to a charge of theft by taking in the 2007 heist. The judge gave 19-year-old Ashley Miller two years in jail and eight years probation.

[eferrell1]

I want to know how someone on probation for a drug conviction gets a job at a bank !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[smitty448]

Hey kiwi_chick!

Welcome back from Spring Break. Now that you''re sober and your T-shirt is dried, you can get back to fooling yourself into thinking you are my equal. Oh, in answer to your crude response about pulling my info out of my butt, you should be so lucky that I put that same butt on the line for the inferior likes of you by simply registering for Selective Service. Now go get your nails polished while I go get my boots polished.

[bozworth4]

Lets see, woman judge, women defendants!! Not rocket science.

[smitty448]

Wait just a minute sbbm!

Reverend Phillips was not armed you dolt!! ARMED robbery endangers lives. Fraud is all on paper. NO GUNS. NO BLOOD. NO LIVING VICTIMS. Unless you consider insurance companies as living entities.

[bozworth4]

The NAACP is playing the racial card again. I do wish they would go away. I''''m pretty sure we will be hearing from Al and Jesse really soon.


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Posted by tomanyt

Only if cameras are there!

[tomanyt]

"I want to know how someone on probation for a drug conviction gets a job at a bank !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by EFerrell1"
He may have had the job before the drug conviction and his employer didn''t know. One possibility anyway.

[megamanx1-2009]

um, one violated his probation, the other was the mastermind with priors. Whats racist about giving them harsher sentences ? Are the NAACP full of retards or something. It''''s clear as day why they got harsher sentences.


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Posted by cheddarboy82 at 02:45 PM : Apr 08, 2008

NOBODY QUESTIONS WHY THE GUYS GOT THE SENTENCES THEY DID. WHAT IS IN QUESTION IS WHY ONE OF THE GIRLS GOT ABSOLUTELY ZERO PRISON TIME FOR A BANK ROBBERY IN WHICH SHE WAS PHYSICALLY IN THE BANK ROBBING THE PLACE. ARE YOU SERIOUS?? PROBABTION FOR BANK ROBBERY?

[megamanx1-2009]

um, one violated his probation, the other was the mastermind with priors. Whats racist about giving them harsher sentences ? Are the NAACP full of retards or something. It''''s clear as day why they got harsher sentences.


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Posted by cheddarboy82 at 02:45 PM : Apr 08, 2008

NOBODY QUESTIONS WHY THE GUYS GOT THE SENTENCES THEY DID. WHAT IS IN QUESTION IS WHY ONE OF THE GIRLS GOT ABSOLUTELY ZERO PRISON TIME FOR A BANK ROBBERY IN WHICH SHE WAS PHYSICALLY IN THE BANK ROBBING THE PLACE. ARE YOU SERIOUS?? PROBABTION FOR BANK ROBBERY?

[lorinkundert]

I am so tired of the race card being played to excuse bad behavior, the criminals got exactly what was coming to them, the judge is far better qualified to determine a sentence than some NAACP lackey.

[megamanx1-2009]

um, one violated his probation, the other was the mastermind with priors. Whats racist about giving them harsher sentences ? Are the NAACP full of retards or something. It''''s clear as day why they got harsher sentences.


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Posted by cheddarboy82 at 02:45 PM : Apr 08, 2008

NOBODY QUESTIONS WHY THE GUYS GOT THE SENTENCES THEY DID. WHAT IS IN QUESTION IS WHY ONE OF THE GIRLS GOT ABSOLUTELY ZERO PRISON TIME FOR A BANK ROBBERY IN WHICH SHE WAS PHYSICALLY IN THE BANK ROBBING THE PLACE. ARE YOU SERIOUS?? PROBABTION FOR BANK ROBBERY?

[lorinkundert]

I am so tired of the race card being played to excuse bad behavior, the criminals got exactly what was coming to them, the judge is far better qualified to determine a sentence than some NAACP lackey.

[tomanyt]

sincityq...I totally disagree with that. These girls should have received more punishment then what they did. This basically says...if your a girl and rob a bank while giggling and smiling, all that will happen is a slap on the wrist. If it were men, the would definitely have received harsher sentences.