Sidley recently secured a pro bono compassionate release win on behalf of a 45-year-old inmate with late-stage invasive cancer. Sidley received invaluable support handling the case from Families Against Mandatory Minimums and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
The defendant was originally sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after he pleaded guilty to a nonviolent offense. Four years after his sentencing, he was diagnosed with cancer, and has spent the past year in severe pain and discomfort as a result of his illness and related medical complications. After being contacted by his brother after reading about one of Sidley’s prior compassionate release victories, the Sidley team quickly filed a motion for compassionate release pursuant to the First Step Act. The government responded with a brief in support, and within a week, Judge Robert D. Mariani of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania granted the motion in its entirety and reduced the defendant’s term of imprisonment to time served, with supervised release. The defendant was released from prison and reunited with his family, who welcomed him home with their love, care, and support.
The Sidley team was led by Chicago partner Elizabeth Chiarello and included Washington, D.C. managing associate Michael Ogershok, Chicago associate Rachel Zingg, Chicago paralegal Lisa Modaff, and Chicago senior nurse consultant Barbara Nihill.
The defendant was originally sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after he pleaded guilty to a nonviolent offense. Four years after his sentencing, he was diagnosed with cancer, and has spent the past year in severe pain and discomfort as a result of his illness and related medical complications. After being contacted by his brother after reading about one of Sidley’s prior compassionate release victories, the Sidley team quickly filed a motion for compassionate release pursuant to the First Step Act. The government responded with a brief in support, and within a week, Judge Robert D. Mariani of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania granted the motion in its entirety and reduced the defendant’s term of imprisonment to time served, with supervised release. The defendant was released from prison and reunited with his family, who welcomed him home with their love, care, and support.
The Sidley team was led by Chicago partner Elizabeth Chiarello and included Washington, D.C. managing associate Michael Ogershok, Chicago associate Rachel Zingg, Chicago paralegal Lisa Modaff, and Chicago senior nurse consultant Barbara Nihill.
