Congressional candidate advocates release of man in prison for marijuana possession
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Congressional candidate advocates release of man in prison for marijuana possession

Date: September 22, 2014
By: Nicole Shaddy
State Capitol Bureau

Intro: 
A Central Missouri congressional candidate held a news conference Monday advocating for clemency for a man serving life in prison for marijuana possession.
RunTime:  0:43
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Jeff Mizanskey was sentenced to life in prison without parole after his third felony marijuana conviction in 1993.

Democrat Nate Irvin who is running against Congresswoman Vicki Hartzler came to the state Capitol to ask Governor Jay Nixon for clemency.

Irvin said Mizanskey has served more than enough time for the crime he committed.

Actuality:  IRVIN2.WAV
Run Time:  00:15
Description: "I think that to some extent we've been maybe a little bit holding on to keeping Jeff in prison because we don't want to admit our wrong, but if we can't admit that we've done wrong and correct it, I feel like we've lost something. Our government's lost something, our society's lost something."

Nixon's press secretary said a clemency petition delivered five months ago is still under review.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Nicole Shaddy.

Intro: 
A Central Missouri congressional candidate pleaded with Governor Jay Nixon for action on a clemency petition introduced in April.
RunTime:  0:40
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Candidate Nate Irvin came to the Capitol to endorse the clemency petition delivered in April for prisoner Jeff Mizanskey.

Mizanskey was sentenced to life in prison without parole after his third felony marijuana conviction in 1993.

Mizanskey's brother also came to the Capitol to speak for him.

Actuality:  MIKE1.WAV
Run Time:  00:15
Description: "Because he has exhausted all of his appeals, I am here today to tell his story in hopes that Governor Jay Nixon will take time to look over his petition for clemency and give my brother his life back."

Governor Nixon's press secretary said the petition continues to be under review.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Nicole Shaddy.

Intro: 
A Central Missouri congressional candidate spoke at the state Capitol today in favor of the release of a man in prison for drug possession.
RunTime:  0:42
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Jeff Mizanskey was sentenced to life in prison without parole after he was convicted of felony marijuana possession three separate times.

Show-Me Cannabis Director of Research Aaron Malin called on Governor Jay Nixon to grant clemency that was urged in a petition signed by over 360,000 people and delivered in April.

He also said Mizanskey has served more than enough time in prison.

Actuality:  MALIN2.WAV
Run Time:  00:11
Description: "Does it really make sense as a society to pay 20,000 dollars a year to keep somebody in prison who doesn't pose any threat to us while at the same time he could be out paying taxes and continuing to build his construction business?"

The governor's press secretary said the petition delivered five months ago is still under review.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Nicole Shaddy.