snitch
Two Cases Close Up

Clarence Aaron
Clarence Aaron Photo

Interview with Clarence Aaron

A 23 year-old college student, Clarence received three life sentences in a drug conspiracy trial based on the testimony of informants.
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Interview with J. Don Foster

U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama, where Clarence Aaron was tried. Foster presents a strong defense of mandatory minimum sentences and prosecutors' use of informants.

Interview with Robert F. Clark

Robert Clark was an Alabama defense attorney in Clarence Aaron's first trial.

Interview with Willie Jordan

Willie Jordan was a member of the jury which convicted Clarence Aaron.


Joey Settembrino
Joey Settembrino Photo

Interview with Joey Settembrino

In 1992, 18-year-old Joey received a ten year mandatory minimum sentence for selling LSD. A first time offender, he says he was set up by a government informant. (In 1994 Congress enacted a "safety-valve" permitting relief from mandatory minimums for certain non-violent, first-time drug offenders.)
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Interview with James Settembrino

He is Joey's father. In an attempt to obtain a lower sentence for his son, James Settembrino tried to assist prosecutors by providing information about other drug dealers.

Interview with Jim Boma

He was the Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of Florida who prosecuted Joey Settembrino.


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