Richmond, Va. (Newsradiowrva.com) - The Supreme Court of Virginia has ordered the release of Steven Prease, in a lawsuit over earned time credits. The case was one of two brought by the ACLU over the credits; the second case will be heard later.
Prease pled guilty to attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, following an incident in 2012 where he shot at Botetourt County deputies. When Democrats took control of the General Assembly from 2020-2022, they increased the opportunity to earn time credits. At question in Prease's case was whether attempted murder was an eligible conviction, as murder is not.
Attorney General Jason Miyares had issued an opinion saying attempted murder was not eligible, reversing an opinion issued by his predecessor, Mark Herring.
Miyares issued a statement following the ruling: ""I am disappointed with the Supreme Court’s decision, but it is the law and we will comply with it. The Democrats forced through this dangerous legislation in 2020. Now, violent felons like Mr. Prease—who tried to murder two police officers—will be released back on the streets before they’ve served their full sentences. I will work with the Governor and the leaders of the General Assembly to fix this problem that the radical left created before it gets any worse." The ACLU says it is glad with the decision.
