The controversy over the jailing of Texas salon owner Shelley Luther has led to a change in one of the executive orders from Texas Governor Greg Abbott.
Abbott has modified his executive orders related to COVID-19 to eliminate confinement as a punishment for violating these orders. These modifications are being applied retroactively.
“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,” said Governor Abbott. “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. It may also ensure that other Texans like Ana Isabel Castro-Garcia and Brenda Stephanie Mata who were arrested in Laredo, should not be subject to confinement. As some county judges advocate for releasing hardened criminals from jail to prevent the spread of COVID-19, it is absurd to have these business owners take their place.”
Luther was sentenced to seven days in jail for violating an order, and opening up her salon last month. Abbott, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, and Attorney General Ken Paxton have all weighed in to say Luther did not deserve that sentence.