5-7-2020
Governor Greg Abbott has modified his executive orders today to remove confinement as a punishment for violations, paving the way for the release of of Dallas salon owner Shelly Luther, who has gained National attention after being sentenced to a week in jail for violating COVID-19 related restrictions.
“Throwing Texans in jail who have had their businesses shut down through no fault of their own is nonsensical, and I will not allow it to happen,” Abbott said in a statement Thursday. “That is why I am modifying my executive orders to ensure confinement is not a punishment for violating an order.”
Abbott said his change supersedes local orders and would be applied retroactively to April 2. And “if correctly applied” should free salon owner Shelley Luther, who was sentenced Tuesday to a week in jail for being found in contempt of court. Luther was also fined $7,000 for violating a temporary restraining order.
Abbott added that his change “may also ensure” that other Texans should not be subject to confinement, specifically naming Ana Isabel Castro-Garcia and Brenda Stephanie Mata, two women who were arrested in Laredo late last month for offering nail and eyelash services, allegedly in violation of the local emergency management plan, according to the Larado Morning Times.
“As some county judges advocate for releasing hardened criminals from jail to prevent the spread of COVID-19, it is absurd to have these business owners take their place” Abbott said.
Abbott had repeatedly stressed that violating his executive orders related to the Coronavirus outbreak could result in fines up to $1,000, jail time up to 180 days, or both.
Story Credit: Fort Worth Star-Telegram