You might remember the news about The Walking Dead actress that mailed ricin to President Obama and several others, all in a wayward attempt to get back at her husband for filing for divorce. Well now she’s finding out just how costly the divorce is after being sentenced to 18 years in prison. From USA Today:
Shannon Guess Richardson, 36, was also ordered to pay $367,000 restitution as part of a plea bargain for pleading guilty in December to one count of developing, producing, possessing and transferring a biological agent for use as a weapon. She bought the materials — castor bean seeds and lye — online.
The FBI arrested her in June 2013 after she was indicted by a federal grand jury. She gave birth the next month while in jail.
I think giving birth in prison is the cherry on top of this slice of Americana. I doubt you could say or do anything to make this entire series of events any more typical. Then again, she did speak in the courtroom:
“I never intended for anybody to be hurt,” she said. “I’m not a bad person. I don’t have it in me to hurt anyone.”
“I do love my country, and I respect my president,” she added. (via)
I respect you, Mr. President. I didn’t mean to hurt anyone, even though I put this deadly substance into an envelope and mailed it to you in a fit of jealous rage.
Prison is the right place for this lady. I just hope The Walking Dead can carry on without her presence. Will someone call Chris Hardwick and tell him to whip up one of those “in memorial” clip packages?
(Via Gawker / USA Today / Texarkana Gazette)
