LSD “Lifer” Dies in Prison at 42

In December, 2014, father and artist Roderick "Rudd" Walker died in prison while serving a life sentence with no chance of parole for the non-violent offense of conspiracy to distribute LSD.

It was his second decade in prison. According to Rudd's friend, who had amassed over 100,000 signatures in a bid to petition his release, Rudd died of cardiac arrest despite “half a decade of requests to the prison system for proper medical care of ongoing heart issues.”

You can read the record of Walker's appeal, which was denied, here.  He never had posession of LSD, but was charged with "one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute LSD and four counts of using a communication facility to facilitate the commission of a felony."

Rather than accept a plea deal for a guilty verdict and an 8 year prison sentence, Walker decided to go to court.  There was no evidence to convict, only testamony of undercover federal agents and "defendants who were bargaining down their own prison terms," but it was enough to find him guilty and put him away for life.

It's a sad and dangerous day when the justice system seems so backwards.  Bankers, trashing the economy receive pardons and extra money, while suspected drug dealers (or even non-violent drug dealers) are incarcerated for life.  It seems like the jails are used as a control mechanism for the status-quo.

Here, Rudd is seen with his son.  He left behind two children.

Image Credit: http://www.hightimes.com/read/lsd-lifer-dies-prison-42