OKLAHOMA CITY -- There is a new legal twist in the case of a Kingfisher mother who is spending eight years in prison for selling $30 of marijuana. Patricia Spottedcrow's court case grabbed national media attention in the past year.
The headlines inspired a number of lawmakers to take a closer look at the way Oklahoma judges incarcerate women for nonviolent offenses.
Two years ago, a Kingfisher County Judge sentenced Spottedcrow to 12 years behind bars for selling a small amount marijuana.
Spottedcrow had no prior felony convictions.
Last year, another judge in Kingfisher County modified Spottedcrow's sentence, shaving off four years.
She is now serving an eight year sentence.
Spottedcrow's attorney Josh Welch says, "We learned yesterday that one of the pardon and parole board members has voted to bring her up for an early consideration and that's a big deal for her. She's excited, she's positive about the possibility of being reunited with her kids."
If the pardon and parole board grants parole, Spottedcrow will be released with the Governor's signature.
Welch is also pursuing an application for post-conviction relief because he believes Spottedcrow had inadequate counsel during her initial court case.
Spottedcrow has four children who are living with her mother in Kingfisher County while she serves her prison sentence.
Oklahoma taxpayers are footing the bill for her incarceration.
According to Department of Corrections, it costs more than $14,000 a year for Spottedcrow's minimum security incarceration.
Welch says, "Her case is an example and can help other women in other cases bring attention to the outrageous fundamentally wrong sentencing we have for nonviolent offenses in drug cases."
Patricia Spottedcrow is expected to appear before the pardon and parole board sometime in mid-April.
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