United States v. Deegan

News Coverage of UND’s Conference on the Dana Deegan Case

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here. And here.

An excerpt:

Federal Judge Myron Bright of Fargo, senior jurist on the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, told two daughters of Dana Deegan, Kamryn, 17, (left) and Sydney, 16, (right) that he’s committed to “right a wrong,” and get justice for their mother, serving a 10-year federal sentence, including seeking clemency from President Barack Obama.Bright spoke Monday at a forum at UND’s law school, saying American Indians often face unfair sentences because of he unique jurisdiction of federal courts on reservations. Deegan, 40, convicted in 2007 of second-degree murder of her infant son near New Town, N.D., is in federal prison in Waseca, Minn. State sentences for similar homicides of infants by their mothers are much shorter, said Bright, 94, who was appointed to the federal bench in 1968.

If folks are interested in learning more about the case, please see the website at www.freedana.com and Dana’s advocates will file a petition for federal clemency with the Obama administration in the coming weeks.

UND Panel Discussion on Native American Sentencing Disparity and the Case of Dana Deegan

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Looks like an amazing discussion. Here. We posted on this case here.

The UND School of Law will host a panel discussion featuring Federal Judge Myron H. Bright on October 14, 2013 from 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. UND School of Law Baker Courtroom.  The panelists will discuss the topic of Native American sentencing disparity and specifically the case of Dana Deegan. She is a member of the Three Affiliated Tribes, and is currently serving a 10-year sentence on a charge of second-degree murder.

Schedule of Speakers:

1:30 – 2:00 p.m. – Overview of the Disparity Problem and its Origins
BJ Jones, Director, Tribal Judicial Institute & Chief Justice of the Turtle Mountain Tribal Court of Appeals
Chris Ironroad, Associate Attorney at Sonosky, Chambers, Sachse, Endreson & Perry, LLP

2:00 – 3:00 p.m. – Impact of Disparity on Native Americans- The Case of Dana Deegan
Judge Myron H. Bright, United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
Judge David E. Ackerson, St. Louis County, Minnesota
Sarah Deer, Assistant Professor of Law, William Mitchell College of Law
Marmie Jotter, sister of Dana Deegan and licensed psychotherapist

United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit – Appeal of Dana Deegan Case

3:00 – 3:30 p.m. – How the Guidelines Unfairly Treat Domestic Violence Victims
Radmilla Cody- Ms. Navajo Nation 1997-98 and recording artist

Light refreshments will be served during the event