Legal Commentary

Jailhouse Lawyer Helps Reverse Conviction

By TChris

Much of the time, "jailhouse lawyers" give lousy advice. Sometimes they get it right. Allen Penoyer, a 68 year old lifer, helped fellow inmate Jeffery Sipple challenge his manslaughter conviction.

Penoyer, using a blue ballpoint pen and blank sheets of white paper, challenged Sipple's conviction on the grounds that his attorney, Michael Connell, allowed the jury to hear an invalid instruction that negated Sipple's self-defense argument. "He studied it, and sure enough, they violated my rights," Sipple said.

The 5th District Court of Appeal agreed in December and granted Sipple a new trial.

Sipple's family chipped in to hire a lawyer from Tampa to argue Sipple's appeal. Freed from prison after serving four years of a twelve year sentence, Sipple struck a new deal that will allow him to remain free if he obeys the terms of his probation. He's moved to Indiana, and his goal now is simple.

"I'm trying to start over and keep a low profile," he said.

Full post as published by TalkLeft on June 14, 2008 (boomark / email).