Politics

Crystal Mason Acquitted on Appeal, Texas Court Reverses Illegal Voting Sentence

Mar 29, 2024 1 min read

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The Second Court of Appeals in Texas has acquitted Crystal Mason of the charge of illegal voting for which she had been sentenced to five years in prison. Mason, a 49-year-old resident of Fort Worth, cast a provisional ballot in the 2016 presidential election while on supervised release for a federal tax evasion conviction. She claimed that she was unaware that her status as a felon on release disqualified her from voting, a stance she maintained throughout her legal ordeal.

The appeals court concluded that the prosecution failed to provide sufficient evidence that Mason knew she was ineligible to vote, a critical element required for a conviction on the illegal voting charge. The court's ruling highlights the complexities of election laws, especially for individuals with prior felony convictions, and addresses concerns about racial disparities in the prosecution of voter fraud cases. The decision also comes after the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals previously indicated that the lower appeals court erred in its interpretation of the election law under which Mason was convicted.

Mason's case had captured national attention, symbolizing the broader debate over voter fraud and the criminal justice system's handling of such allegations. The acquittal formally ends the yearslong legal battle for Mason, who expressed relief at the court's decision. The Court of Criminal Appeals is set to consider an appeal in the matter in 2021.

#voting #general #fraud #corruption #crime #voter-fraud

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