George Jackson Newton v. Dexter Payne

Summary

The court affirmed dismissal of George Jackson Newton’s petition seeking declaratory and mandamus relief to obtain parole eligibility. It held that Newton was not entitled to the parole provision applicable to inmates sentenced under a different, harsher sentencing subsection and that the statutory scheme did not violate equal protection. The court also concluded that the circuit court did not abuse its discretion in dismissing the petition.