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Mother asks for probation after release

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By Paul Glasser

June 21, 2009

Jaimie Lynn Jockers

The woman convicted of killing her daughter by exposing her to second-hand crack smoke has asked a judge put her on probation after she’s released from prison.

Franklin Circuit Judge Thomas Wingate said the motion was “unusual.”

“I don’t understand the concept,” Wingate said.

Public defender Rodney Barnes asked Wingate to grant Jaimie Lynn Jockers, 26, probation for the drug-related charges of her conviction.

She pleaded guilty to manslaughter in November 2008 and admitted to causing the death of her infant daughter, Brooklyn Paige.

Jockers is currently serving a 12-year sentence in Pewee Valley women’s prison. Barnes said he’s not asking for shock probation on Jockers’ manslaughter charges.

Instead, Barnes told Wingate he wants Jockers to be placed on probation for the drug charges after she is released from prison. Barnes said Jockers is in a drug treatment program at Pewee Valley but will need help to stay clean after she is released.

“If she walks out of prison without any kind of control, she is afraid she’ll start using again,” he said. “It’s easy to stay sober in prison.”

Wingate asked Barnes to explain the concept in writing and submit a memorandum within 10 days. He said he would give Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Dana Todd 10 days to respond.

Brooklyn Paige’s father, Michael McIntyre, 22, pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter in a June 2007 plea agreement. He was sentenced to 25 years on that and other charges.

Brooklyn Paige’s grandmother and other family members held a memorial for her Saturday at Cove Spring Park, a day after Jockers appeared in court.

In other court action Friday, the mother who was arrested after police found four pounds of marijuana in her car was granted pre-trial diversion.

Gretchen Howard, 34 of 225 Wickliffe Drive, pleaded guilty to trafficking in a controlled substance within 1,000 yards of a school. Wingate placed her on a three-year diversion Friday – the program is similar to probation.

If she completes the program the charges will be dismissed. As part of a plea agreement Howard will submit to random drug tests and cooperate with any investigation.

She was arrested in January on Versailles Road after police found about four pounds of marijuana in the trunk of her 2008 Toyota. The drugs were valued at about $8,800, according to police.

Comments

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11.	Posted by smartgirl June 22, 2009
	Trying, it's crack, not pot.

10.	Posted by nicolemanns June 22, 2009
	I dont understand the manslaughter Charge why isnt this Murder? That poor child was killed because of them! I agree totaly with twoods! But I also think they should rot in jail and not released! That child wasnt givin a chance at life why should they have one??

9.	Posted by more_cowbell . June 22, 2009
	Sorry I meant to say 15

8.	Posted by more_cowbell . June 22, 2009
	What about the guy killing the dog and getting a 25 yr sentence? Sounds like she is getting a slap on the wrist to me....

7.	Posted by ronandlane June 22, 2009
	After this young woman is released after serving her sentence it is most appropriate for her to then be required to be supervised by a probation officer for a period of at least 12-36 months, during which time she should be required to submit random urine specimins to ensuure that she is not using alcohol or other mood / mind altering substances. In addition immediately after release she should be assessed by a State certified CADC (Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor) and then either enter an inpatient or outpatient substance abuse treatment program, including regular attendance at either Alcoholics Anonymous / Narcotics Anonymous 12 step meetings and or faith based meetings now being offered. It would see that Ms. Jockers realizes that she has a serious problem and knows that she is a danger to herself and perhaps others and desperately needs supervision before being allowed to fully re-enter society. Being a substance abuse couselor myself I know only too well how addictive substances take over a persons body, mind and soul. Hopefully Ms. Jockers will get a lot of help while she is incarcerated. We do know however that it is a heck of a lot easier to remain substance free while incarcerated. The true test of a person's recovery is when they are released back into free society. A probationary period following release will serve as a transition and is frequently used in many states throughout America. It can help save that person from slipping back into their old habits. I hope and pray that Ms. Jockers gets all the help she needs.

6.	Posted by Raynee1970 June 21, 2009
	Smack on the back of hands...such a shame...

5.	Posted by yiya0424 June 21, 2009
	Oh, they'll let her go. That's how the system works. Kill a child, get less time, kill a dog go for life. Frankfort, frankfort, frankfort... truly disappointing. She'll plea and cry and she'll say "I've changed" and they'll believe her. Let her go, she'll do it again and again and again. It makes me sick that she has the nerve to ask.

4.	Posted by Whitey June 21, 2009
	Jamie Jockers and Michael McIntyre now there's two low life scum suckers that should never have been able to conceive a child. And as part of their conviction they should have to be spayed & neutered. And please save all your bleeding heart, boo-hoo crap about, "They came from a bad home and didn't have a chance." Wake up, you make your own way in life and choose the path you take.