California's three strikes law

http://www.facts1.com/general/news.htm#pizza




The "pizza thief"
Probably the most famous 3-strikes case is the pizza thief case. Jerry Dewayne Williams, at the age of 27, was sentenced to prison for 25-years-life for stealing a slice of pepperoni pizza. His crime was a petty theft, but, because of California state law and because of his prior record, Williams theft was classified as a "felony." Williams prior convictions were for robbery, attempted robbery, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and possession of a controlled substance. See Eric Salter, Pizza Thief Receives Sentence of 25 Years to Life in Prison, LATimes, Mar. 3, 1995, at 9B.