Meet Keeda Haynes: Ex-convict running for American congress

Meet Keeda Haynes: Ex-convict running for American congress

- 42-year-old Keeda Haynes was convicted and imprisoned when she was a teenager and is now running for the US Congress

- The woman was 'misled' by an older man she was dating which made the law find her guilty of aiding and abetting criminal conduct

- Now with a law degree and six years of experience as a lawyer, she sees herself as the change Tennessee needs

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A former inmate in America is giving herself a big rebranding as she is contesting for congress in Tennessee, gunning to become the first black woman in the state for the position.

The primary election will be taking place on Thursday, August 6. She will be contesting against Jim Cooper who has held the seat for 17 years.

YEN.com.gh learnt that the forty-two-year-old Haynes believes she is the change that the district needs. It should be noted that she started serving her prison term when Cooper was elected in 2013.

Black Detour reports that the black woman spent three years and 10 months in jail for a felony charge that was connected to marijuana.

A collage of the woman. Photos sources: HuffPost/Nashvillscene
A collage of the woman. Photos sources: HuffPost/Nashvillscene
Source: UGC

After the jail term, she bagged a law degree and afterwards got more than six years of experience as a public defender in Nashville. She said that her experience defending people is part of what has made her a better fit for the seat.

Haynes' problem with the law was said to have been caused by an older man she was dating when she was 19. The man asked her to receive a package that ended containing marijuana.

Though she was cleared of six charges, she, however, could not escape aiding and abetting the sale of marijuana.

Meanwhile, it was earlier reported that a mother was overcome with emotion when her son surprised her at a family prayer gathering in Durham, North Carolina after being incarcerated for 13 years.

Each year, thousands of Black youth are incarcerated for one offence or another.

Some have also been wrongfully jailed for crimes they never committed.

A video that has surfaced on social media shows a mother who was brought to uncontrollable tears after she was caught unaware by her son’s sudden presence.

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Source: YEN.com.gh

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