A Texas salon owner who was sentenced to seven days in jail for opening her businesses in defiance of a statewide stay at home order, was released after a ruling by the Texas Supreme Court.
Shelley Luther had found in civil and criminal contempt of court after she refused to close down her salon. A judge offered her a chance to avoid jail time if she apologized and admitted she was wrong to defy the order. Shelley refused and told the judge she was trying to provide for her family, as were her employees.
"I have to disagree with you, sir, when you say that I'm selfish because feeding my kids is not selfish," she said. "I have hairstylists that are going hungry because they would rather feed their kids. So sir, if you think the law is more important than kids getting fed, then please go ahead with your decision. But I am not going to shut the salon."
News of her jail sentence sparked outrage, and many elected officials called for her release. Gov. Greg Abbott agreed and amended his executive order to ensure that nobody is jailed for violating it.
"Throwing Texans in jail who have had their businesses shut down through no fault of their own is nonsensical, and I will not allow it to happen," Abbott said in a statement. "That is why I am modifying my executive orders to ensure confinement is not a punishment for violating an order. This order is retroactive to April 2nd, supersedes local orders, and, if correctly applied, should free Shelley Luther."
Not long after Abbott announced the changes to his stay at home order, the Texas Supreme Court ruled that Luther should be released from prison.
Photo: Dallas County Jail