Judge Approves Convict's Request For Release To Hospice Care
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A New York woman who lost her chance for a life-saving heart transplant by continuing to commit crimes is being permitted to spend her dying days in hospice care.
Nassau District Court Judge Francis Ricigliano ruled Tuesday that Diane McCloud can be released from jail. McCloud's lawyer told the judge the woman has only weeks to live. A physician later confirmed that was the case.
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The judge had freed the 48-year-old woman in January 2011 so she could apply for a transplant waiting list. But the woman was arrested again for shoplifting. She pleaded guilty to petty larceny.
Ricigliano resentenced her to the 15 months he had forgiven and added a year for the new charges.
Attorney Leonard Isaacs said McCloud is no longer transplant eligible.
"Since she's not eligible for a heart transplant any longer, it's just for palliative care, so she's not suffering," he said.
What do you think of McCloud's early release? leave your comments below...
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