State-Journal.com - Mother asks for probation after release

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.

9.	Posted by trying June 22, 2009
	.about, he only got one year concurrent for the dog. He got 15 for the two burglaries. Funny how everybody zooms in on the dog and forgets about the fact that he broke into the house twice, the second time with a gun. The second time got him an automatic 10 year minimum. The first a 5 year minimum. Voila, you are at 15. This woman was found guilty of manslaughter, which is a 10 year minimum. She is only asking to get additional punishment in being put on probation AFTER she has served her full prison punishment. That request in itself is highly unusual. I don't know, if the judge can even add on to her sentencing just like that, even if it is her request. At least she realizes she needs help. Very tragic case indeed. Yet parents have not learned their lesson. There is still people out there who think it's okay to smoke pot around their kids.

6.	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.