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Jacquetta Simmons posts $50,000 bail

By Billie Owens

District Attorney Lawrence Friedman just announced that a $50,000 bail bond was posted today with the Genesee County Court on behalf of Jacquetta Simmons.

The 27-year-old Batavia resident was found guilty earlier this year of assaulting 70-year-old Wal Mart employee Grace Suozzi in the store last Christmas Eve.

On Nov. 30, New York Appellate Division Justice Rose Sconiers ordered that Simmons' sentence be stayed pending a hearing on her attorneys' appeal, which argues her sentence of five years in prison is overly harsh considering that Simmons is a first-time offender. This is what made it possible for Simmons' release this afternoon.

Judge Robert C. Noonan signed a release order and she'll be released from custody once it's received by Bedford Hills Correctional Facility where she is incarcerated.

 

RICHARD L. HALE

I noticed on Channel 2 news the other day, Jacquetta's lawyer is defending the guy that allegedly set that little puppy on fire in Buffalo. If this is how the justice system chooses to treat someone as nice as Grace Suozzi, that little puppy doesn't stand a snowballs chance in hell!!!

Dec 12, 2012, 5:50pm Permalink
Doug Yeomans

I can't help but criticize a few of the comments here. The woman was found guilty and was sentenced. She had her day in court and the truth came out. In our legal system, she was given the opportunity to make bail pending an appeal. It's the same right that is afforded to EVERYONE that has ever been in her position. We may not like the fact that she's free and we may have that viewpoint for differing reasons, but that's how our system works.

I think she needs to be behind bars, but I'm satisfied with the outcome of the trial. IMO, she knows what's coming to her and she's just avoiding the inevitable. Being free and yet knowing she's guilty must eat at her. I know she feels that.

Dec 12, 2012, 8:20pm Permalink
Gary Spencer

I agree with Doug, justice can be a tricky thing, I think she has the right to appeal, I may not agree with this, but I hope that the appeals judge looks at the same evidence and agrees that the 5 years is just given the brutality of the crime.

Dec 12, 2012, 8:35pm Permalink
Kevin Squire

I hope that means she will paying for her own maternity costs instead of it coming out of the taxpayers. With the lawyers she has hired and bail paid, apparently the family has the ability to do so.

Dec 12, 2012, 10:25pm Permalink
Raymond Richardson

Hey, just look at the thousands of $s we(taxpayers) are saving with her OUT of prison right now, when she has that kid.

Dec 13, 2012, 8:35am Permalink
Kyle Couchman

Someone needs to send Karma a facebook poke and ask "what the hell?" I find it a bit unusual and sad that last year even though she was arrested in the afternoon on Christmas eve that Jaquetta was released in time to make Christmas Mass if she chose to. Yet Grace has to spend hers in recovery at UMMC. Then this year despite being found guilty and being sentenced, she is gonna be out yet again to enjoy the holidays with her family while Grace still recovers from the emotional scars of her experience.

Dec 13, 2012, 9:15am Permalink
Rex Lampke

I for one am glad that Her innocent baby has the chance to come into this world with out the stigma of being born in prison. She will end up doing time for what she did as should be, But it is a reminder to all that our actions can change many lives in minutes. I feel bad for Grace and the pain she has, I also feel bad for a baby that will go through the first years of its life with out a mother. Neither asked for what happed and have had there lives changed through actions not of there own doing.

Dec 13, 2012, 9:26am Permalink
SABRINA BRINKMAN

All you need is 10% down for a bailbondsman. That's $5000. So they would not have had to come up with 50k. Yes, I think it is sad that Grace has to deal with the scars while she is out AGAIN. She got to be free while Grace was in recovery last year. She gets to be free at Christmas this year and get to have her baby. But she won't be free for long when the judge sees all of the evidence.

Dec 13, 2012, 10:44am Permalink
mark jackett

BULLSH-T !!!!!!! WARNING TO ALL WAL-MART EMPLOYEES BE ON THE LOOK OUT FOR A VERY AGRESSIVE, ANGRY,PREGNANT WOMEN WHO LIKES TO HIT OLDER PEOPLE, MAY BE IN YOUR AREA [store] X-MAS EVE!!! IF YOU SEE HER DO NOT APPROACH!!!
don't feel bad for her because of new baby coming she knew time was coming to an end and figured all would be forgiven

Dec 13, 2012, 12:02pm Permalink
Lisa Schwab

I know first hand their is NO JUSTICE SYSTEM ANYMORE IT IS A JOKE! I also know that their is REVERSE DISCRIMINATION and I think this may be the case of what is going on with Grace. Can someone PLEASE tell me WHO is going to stand up for her and do SOMETHING!!!!!!!!!!! I FEEL LIKE GOING TO THE MOUNTAIN TOP LIKE MOSES AND CALLING FIRE DOWN FROM HEAVEN AND ASKING GOD TO PLEASE HELP WILL SOMEONE PLEASE HELP!! THIS IS CRAZY. I am being over the top here to prove a point but can we go back to the old days of real justice. This is just a waste of time and money. Why don't we just pat her on the head and say just do not do that again! Do the crime.... Do the Time!

Dec 13, 2012, 4:44pm Permalink
Raymond Richardson

FYI everyone, this is a stall tactic devised by her attorney(s) so the kid isn't born in prison. After the kid is born, she'll be on her way back to the 3x4 at the crowbar hotel.

Dec 14, 2012, 8:48am Permalink
kevin kretschmer

You do know the Old Testament Days of Fire & Brimstone ended when Christ went to the Cross for all our sins, right? What exactly would the old days of "real justice" involve? Perhaps a lynching or maybe burning a cross in her yard? Those days? I do not condone what she did however, she is entitled to the exact same due process our American Legal System allows us all.

Dec 14, 2012, 9:35am Permalink
Lisa Schwab

IReply to # 17) I was only being over the top to make a point..... and yes I am well aware that the days of Fire and Brimstone are over. I do NOT expect anyone to do the things that you YOU listed in the above. But years ago when you did something that put you in jail you stayed in jail and did your time. In 1950 you did not go in jail then get out a few week later because someone thought it was TOO HARSH! You did your time and that was it! I was thinking that Miss Grace had peace now it must feel like these things just get dragged out way too long. These family's should be able to have these things closed for their good not everything should be what is in the best interest of the other people involved. It would be nice for Grace and her Family to be able to enjoy her Christmas and New Year's this Year! That was the only point that I want to make and I did not want anything or anyone to take away from that!

Dec 14, 2012, 12:11pm Permalink

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