30 Facts About Bobby Bostic

Bobby Bostic was born on January 5,1979 and is an American writer who was sentenced to a term of 241 years.

Bobby Bostic was given a sentence of 241 years by Judge Evelyn Baker, making him eligible for parole when he was 112.

Bobby Bostic was serving the longest sentence in Missouri given to a juvenile for non-homicide offenses.

Bobby Bostic's case attracted considerable media attention in later years, due to changing laws regarding life-sentences for minors, and the severity of his sentence.

In 2021, a new law passed allowing Bobby Bostic to apply for parole.

Bobby Bostic's application was approved and he was released on November 9,2022.

Bobby Bostic was born in St Louis, Missouri, and has three siblings, an elder brother and sister and a younger brother.

Bobby Bostic's family was financially unstable, and they were often "technically homeless" and staying with relatives.

Bobby Bostic reportedly started drinking and smoking at age 10, using marijuana at 12 and PCP at 13.

Bobby Bostic graduated from junior high but dropped out shortly after commencing high school.

When he was 16, Bobby Bostic was on probation for assault.

Bobby Bostic had other arrests for which he had yet to be prosecuted.

On December 12,1995, Bobby Bostic had been drinking and smoking marijuana and PCP with his friend Donald Hutson.

Four months later, Bobby Bostic was offered a plea deal of 30 years in prison.

Bobby Bostic turned it down on the advice of relatives and the belief that any eventual sentence could not be worse than the terms of the plea deal.

Bobby Bostic later stated he had been the main instigator of the attack and that Bostic was following his lead, adding that he deserved a longer sentence than Bostic.

One of the victims testified in court that Bobby Bostic "just stood there looking stupid" for most of the robbery.

Bobby Bostic's case was not affected by these changes, as technically he was not sentenced to life in prison, rather he was sentenced to 241 years with a possibility of parole in "extreme old age".

Baker, who retired in 2008 after a 25-year career as a judge, states Bobby Bostic's sentence is the only one she regrets giving; Baker believes a 30-year sentence would have been appropriate.

However Josh Hawley, who was the Missouri Attorney General at the time, defended Bobby Bostic's sentence, saying it did not violate the Constitution's ban on cruel and unusual punishment.

In January 2020, a bill sponsored by Missouri House of Representatives member Nick Schroer and co-sponsored by member Barbara Washington was introduced, which if passed would have given people sentenced as juveniles greater opportunity for parole; Bobby Bostic was mentioned by name in the introduction of the bill as a prisoner who would be affected by its passing.

In May 2021, an amendment inspired by Bobby Bostic's case was added to Senate Bill 26 in Missouri by Rep.

Bobby Bostic was granted a parole hearing in November 2021.

None of Bobby Bostic's victims opposed him being given parole or clemency, and some wrote letters of support for his release.

Bobby Bostic's parole was approved in December 2021 for release the following year.

Bobby Bostic was among the first people to be granted parole under the new law.

Bobby Bostic was released on November 9,2022, and was greeted by Baker and dozens of family and supporters.

Bobby Bostic has completed courses from Adams State University and Missouri State University.

Bobby Bostic is a published author, having written poetry and non-fiction books.

Bobby Bostic founded a book club in prison, and after writing to the St Louis County Library, inspired efforts from the librarians to create projects to improve literacy in prison.