State Rep. Greer to seek end of ‘good time’ eligibility for manslaughter convictions

Earlier this year, Sheffield Police Sgt. Nick Risner died as a result of being shot while on duty allegedly by Brian Lansing Martin, who pleaded guilty to a manslaughter charge in 2013.

The manslaughter charge was reportedly part of a plea deal for the shooting death of his father, Donice Scott.

Based on so-called “good time,” Martin served only two years and three months of the 10-year sentence, and the October incident occurred after that release.

During an appearance on Mobile radio FM Talk 106.5’s “The Jeff Poor Show,” State Rep. Lynn Greer (R-Rogersville) said it was his hope to pass a bill that would end the “good time” provision for those convicted of manslaughter in the upcoming legislative session.

“We’ve prefiled what is known as House Bill 45, and it just makes those convicted of manslaughter ineligible for good time sentence reductions,” he said. “Now good time in Alabama — for every day you serve, you get two-and-a-half days credit — that’s if you don’t do something bad while you’re in prison. And this guy’s record — we’ve reviewed it. He had a terrible record while he was in there. He was sentenced for 10 years for murdering his father and got a plea bargain, a plea deal, which usually reduces your sentence considerably. He served two years and three months, and they just let him out.”

The Lauderdale County lawmaker said the law would be named for Risner but expressed his concern that moving bills that increased or enhanced penalties for crime was “a little tough” under the current legislative environment.

“[T]he piece of legislation we’re working on — we named it the Sergeant Nick Risner Act if we can pass it — I’m hoping we can pass it,” Greer added. “It’s getting a little tough in the Alabama Legislature to pass anything that toughens up on crime. But we’re going to work extra hard on it, and I hope we can.”

@Jeff_Poor is a graduate of Auburn University and the University of South Alabama, the editor of Breitbart TV, a columnist for Mobile’s Lagniappe Weekly, and host of Mobile’s “The Jeff Poor Show” from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. on FM Talk 106.5.