Mom released after seven years in prison

[packy]

Mom freed; served 7 years for heist she didn't commit
JJ Hensley and Lindsey Collom
The Arizona Republic
Feb. 7, 2008 12:00 AM

For the past seven years, Rachel Jernigan insisted she was always a homemaker, never a bank robber.

The 38-year-old was released from federal prison Tuesday night after another woman confessed to the crime.

On her first day of freedom, Jernigan got her hair done and went to church with her family, including her four children, who are now teenagers.

It was all a case of mistaken identity, her attorneys say.

"From the beginning, I told the FBI man it wasn't me," Jernigan said. "That there was going to continue to be bank robberies after they locked me up."

And there were.

http://www.azcentral.com/community/gilbert/articles/0207bankrobber0207.html

[Roamer]

What a shame. Seven years missed with her children for a case of mistaken identity.

I do think those who lose a chunk of their loves for crimes they didn't commit deserve compensation, but I don't agree with the $100,000 per year pkg. someone is presenting. Most people don't make that, anyway.

[windovervocalcords]

I agree with the amount requested.

Being in prison is traumatic. The loss of freedom and the loss beomg able to raise my chilren be worth far more to me than $100,000 a year. I think each child ought to have the same amount awarded to them too.