Woman Released After Serving 21 Years Under ‘Lifer Law’

A woman who served 21 years under a strict anti-drug law went free Friday under a new law allowing parole for some people serving life sentences.

JeDonna Young left Scott Regional Correctional Facility in this Detroit suburb without fanfare, Department of Corrections spokesman Matt Davis said.

A week ago, the state parole board unanimously agreed to release Young, 44.

She was driving with her boyfriend, James Gulley, in 1978 when Detroit police stopped her car and found nearly 3 pounds of heroin. Gulley said it was his; Young said she didn’t know it was there. They were both convicted under a new, unforgiving anti-drug law. Gulley died in prison in 1997.

The U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reluctantly upheld Young’s conviction in 1989 but said it was unconvinced she was the kind of drug dealer the law was designed for. It suggested “the tiger trap may have sprung upon a sick kitten.”

Last year, the Legislature amended the lifer law to allow parole after 20 years, or as early as 15 years if the convict cooperated with police and did not have prior felony convictions. The change took effect Oct. 1.