The Rev. Al Sharpton denounced Paris Hilton's Release From Jail
The Rev. Al Sharpton denounced Paris Hilton's release from jail on Thursday, saying it had "all of the appearances of economic and racial favoritism."
"I think that it's both another glaring display of how race and money seem to get different treatments. There seems to be a different criminal justice system for some than others," Sharpton said.
After three days into a 23-day jail stint, Hilton was fitted with an electronic monitoring ankle bracelet and released to the comforts of her 2,700-square-foot Hollywood Hills home due to a mysterious and unspecified medical condition.
But hours after Hilton was sent home, the judge who put her in jail ordered her into court to determine whether she should be put back behind bars.
Hilton must report to court at 9 a.m. Friday, Superior Court spokesman Allan Parachini told The Associated Press.
"My understanding is she will be brought in in a sheriff's vehicle from her home," Parachini said.
Although Sharpton said he has "nothing but empathy for Ms. Hilton," he doubted similar treatment would be offered to minorities or poor people.
"There are any number of cases of people who handled being incarcerated badly and even have health conditions that are not released," Sharpton said.
"But I think that it gives a very bad signal when Ms. Hilton is treated any differently than any other parole violator in their county or in this country."
*********************************************
Paris Hilton is sent back to jail
Celebrity heiress Paris Hilton has been taken screaming from a Los Angeles court after being told to return to jail to serve out her sentence.
The celebrity heiress was ordered to attend the hearing rather than listen to the proceeding by telephone.
Hilton left jail on Thursday, just three days into a 45-day sentence for violating probation on a driving ban.
Her release from detention, on unspecified medical grounds, had sparked widespread criticism.
Hilton attended court to hear the case for her "reassignment" to house arrest.
She arrived in handcuffs and cried throughout the court session.
The judge said that she would have to serve her full 45-day sentence.
"It's not right!" she shouted in response, before calling out to her mother, who was at the court.
Hilton will stay for a few days at a treatment centre at Twin Towers jail in LA for medical and psychiatric examination to determine which jail she will be sent to, sheriff spokesman Steve Whitmore said.
LA county sheriff Lee Baca defended his earlier decision to release Hilton on medical grounds, saying "this lady has some severe problems".
She had been held at the Century Regional Detention Centre in Lynwood, California, in a special unit for celebrities, public officials, police officers and other high-profile inmates, and has so far served five days of her sentence.
No details of the medical problem have been given for "privacy reasons".