"Superior court Judge
Vanessa White sentenced Clayton Allison to 30 years behind bars
Wednesday afternoon in a courtroom crowded with relatives and
supporters. Barring the outcome of an appeal — which
defense attorneys and family members said was certain — Alaska parole
guidelines ensure Allison will remain behind bars for at least 13 years,
4 months, and about 24 days before he becomes eligible for a
discretionary parole hearing. Allison also faces 15 years probation
following any potential release, during which he could be subjected to
warrantless searches, though only for evidence of firearms. In all, Allison received a 40-year
sentence, with 10 years suspended, meaning he could still be forced to
serve them in the event of a probation or parole violation. “We love you Clayton!” several people in
the gallery called out, as bailiffs escorted Allison out of the
courtroom. When Allison appeared in an orange jumpsuit and handcuffs, several members of the audience also rose to their feet in support. Family members said what they believed happened was not a murder, but a miscarriage of justice..........Supporters filled the rows of the
courtroom seats, sporting green T-shirts with the slogan “Show your
stripes for Clayton,” and green-and-black zebra-pattern stripes hearts.
The stripes were a reference to a genetic disorder known as
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome which effects as many as between 1 in 10,000
people, according to the National Institutes of Health. Family members say CJ Allison has been
diagnosed with the disorder by doctors at the Mayo Clinic, and the
uncommon diagnosis contributed to what they are certain is Jocelynn’s
accidental death. White barred testimony on the syndrome from the
courtroom.........CJ Allison, a courtroom pillar since the early days of her husband’s prosecution, said the verdict angered her. “I’m livid, absolutely livid,” she said. “I think the judge showed her bias today.” CJ also focused her disagreement through
the lens of the pre-sentencing report, and pledged to bring the facts
of the case to the public through the website she created and maintains,
claytonallison.com. “That pre-sentence report had an error
on every page, from page 2 to page 15,” she said. “Or an accusation that
was unfounded, and she’s going to let the majority of those ride. That
presentence report is going to follow Clayton from this point out.” “We have actual evidence, we have actual
information, we have everything that show’s Clayton’s innocence,” she
said outside the courtroom, following sentencing. Asked if she was concerned whether the
sea of green in the courtroom could be interpreted as an attempt to sway
the court, and provoke a sterner reaction from White, CJ accused White
of unprofessionalism. “Any judge that makes that kind of
determination is unprofessional, in my opinion, like this one is
unprofessional,” she said. “I think that it’s important that the general
public be allowed a voice. Freedom of speech is incredibly important.
It’s important that the community be able to communicate what the
realities of the case are.” She said family and friends feel “Something very precious to them has
been stolen from them unjustly, and this is the way they can make it
right,” she said. “This is the way they can show the truth and show the
reality.”