Cancer patient gets 10 months in jail for shoplifting $110 in groceries
A Pennsylvania woman with advanced-stage ovarian cancer has been sentenced to at least 10 months behind bars for stealing nearly $110 worth of groceries — prompting a Twitter tirade from the state’s lieutenant governor.
Ashley Menser, 36, was sentenced last week by Lebanon County Judge Samuel A. Kline to 10 months to 7 years in jail — after pleading guilty to shoplifting $109.63 worth of merchandise from a Weis Markets in 2018, the Patriot-News reported.
She made off with makeup, hair dye, a candle and a “Super Skinny Serum” product, the paper reported.
In a Twitter thread, Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman urged Kline to “err on the side of mercy” — arguing that Menser had an oncology appointment on the same day as her sentencing.
“Release her immediately and allow the medical evaluation that was scheduled at @PennStHershey on the 22nd,” he wrote. “I’ll personally deliver a check to the @WeisMarkets today she shoplifted from for $110.”
“Simply let her doctor evaluate her condition and that be the basis for moving forward,” he continued. “As draconian it is to imprison someone for nearly 10 months over shoplifting $109, that’s a different discussion. It’s not controversial to allow an immediate unbiased medical evaluation determine the just path forward.”
But Lebanon County District Attorney Pier Hess Graf shot back at Fetterman, saying that the pol “found it appropriate to criticize the court and the victim,” according to a statement obtained by the Patriot-News.
“He failed to mention in any of his tweets, however, the extensive prior record of the defendant, her drug abuse, or the fact that her sentencing ranges — as set forth by the legislature — call for jail time,” Graf wrote.
Graf argued that Menser had pleaded “open,” meaning that the court can decide the sentence it deems appropriate.
Menser’s attorneys have requested house arrest so she could continue to receive medical treatment, the paper reported. Her parents argued that corrections staff have neglected the woman’s treatment in the week she’s been behind bars.
But Graf pointed to a 2019 document submitted by Menser’s own attorney, indicating that she had refused treatment at some point.
“The court rejected the notion of house arrest given the defendant’s extensive prior criminal record and the circumstance of the current offense,” the district attorney wrote.
Fetterman said he is standing behind his tweets — although he never intended to stir up such a strong reaction.
“I’m not going to get into a shoving match with the district attorney,” he told WPMT-TV. “I am just suggesting that they [err] on the side of compassion and allow this woman to see her doctor.”
“This is not public enemy number one. This is not Hannibal [Lecter] that they have to, you know, wheel out in a catcher’s mask and in a gurney,” the lieutenant governor added, referring to the “Silence of the Lambs” antagonist. “This is an addict.”
It was not immediately clear whether Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf would use his pardon power to clear Menser.
Photo Credit: nypost.com