Man jailed for eating a cookie finally released

A man who was sentenced to jail for stealing a cookie was released last Monday, Nov. 9. INQUIRER.net stock photo

A man of color’s six months jail sentence was reversed by a judge last Monday, Dec. 9 in the United States, for being disproportionate. The man’s offense? He stole a cookie.

Gregory Fields entered a rehab in San Francisco, California in September to better himself, Vice reported on Dec. 10. However, a few months later, Fields found himself behind bars for eating a cookie which he allegedly stole.

A judge from the Superior Court of San Francisco Country reconsidered his initial decision, amended Field’s sentence and released him under probation.

Deputy public defender Dana Drunsinsky, Field’s lawyer, stated that Fields had a reputation at the Salvation Army Harbor Light Center as a friendly face. As per report, the incident encompassed America’s tendency to give excessive and incommensurable punishment for people of color.

In November, Fields together with some people from the center, helped in preparing food packages to be donated to homeless people. After their duty, there were still some cookies left. Fields ate one piece.

Drunsinsky stated that the center responded to his action by discharging him from their program. The Salvation Army’s spokesperson stated the organization could not disclose their clients’ information but that “each client admitted to a Salvation Army facility agrees to behavioral expectations.”

Fields tried to appeal to the center, as per report. The clinical team gave a condition that it would allow Fields back into rehab if he underwent another series of 30-day blackout period — a process Fields already accomplished months prior — where he is not allowed to contact anyone from the outside world.

Fields refused, which brought the case to San Francisco’s Adult Drug Court. There, Fields was sentenced to serve six months in jail for eating a cookie.

“The treatment program is justifying it by saying that he stole and he needed to be reprimanded,” Drunsinsky was quoted as saying. “The way the drug court is rationalizing it is that by not starting [his treatment] over, he’s not complying with the terms of his treatment staff.”

Judge Michael Begert reconsidered his decision on Monday, while Fields will get credit for his time served, the report stated.

Danielle Harris, another public defender, took her sentiments to Twitter on Dec. 5. She stated that throughout the process, Fields stayed sober. He tried to look for other clinics that would take him but they turned him away.

“Apparently it’s easier for some to throw a fellow human being into a cage than to swallow their pride and admit a mistake,” Harris said. “Especially if the human in question is an indigent person of color. And this in ‘progressive’ San Francisco.” 

Apparently it’s easier for some to throw a fellow human being into a cage than to swallow their pride and admit a mistake. Especially if the human in question is an indigent person of color. And this in “progressive" San Francisco. @sfdefender @Dananamean (5/5)

— Danielle Harris (@DaniMargoHarris) December 5, 2019

Harris updated the post when Fields was released on Dec. 10: “The DA’s office agreed and the judge went along with it. The public support was key. One for justice!” Cha Lino/JB

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