Black Lives Matter Pasadena Organizer Jasmine Richards Sentenced 90 Days in ‘Unlawful Taking’ Case

Black Lives Matter Pasadena activist Jasmine Richards was sentenced Tuesday morning to 90 days in LA County Jail, along with anger management classes and three years probation, following her conviction last week. Richards was found guilty of “Attempting to unlawfully remove a suspect from police custody” in an incident last August.

The charge, until last year, was known as “felony lynching.”

As a crowd of about 250 gathered and demonstrated outside the courthouse, Judge Elaine Lu had originally told both attorneys that she was “tentatively leaning towards probation.”  Richards reacted with a closed fist in the air. Richards was then instructed not to be disruptive as both attorneys presented their sentencing arguments.

Richards’ attorney Nana Gyamfi,  in asking for the minimum sentence, told Judge Lu of the groundswell of support that Richards had received from a wide range of community members, including activists as well as academics. An online petition had garnered more than 78,000 signatures over the five days that Richards had been in custody awaiting sentencing.

Prosecutor Christine Kee asked for 180 days in County Jail, and pointed out Richards’ previous convictions over the years, including petty theft and assault. Richards had also received two violations while on bail for the charge.

Richards will return to court July 14 for pre-trial hearings in her two pending misdemeanor cases.