WOMAN HITS SENTENCING GUIDELINES

Six months removed from a federal prison cell for drug-related crimes
widely attributed to her deceased boyfriend, Kemba Smith said the 61/2
years she spent behind bars were God's way of bringing attention to an
unfair legal system.

"I feel as though God brought me out so that you could see me, see my
face," Smith told a hushed audience of about 400 mostly college and high
school students attending the regional conference of one of the nation's
largest African-American sororities Thursday.

Smith, 29, who was granted clemency by President Clinton three days before
Christmas after having served one-fourth of a 241/2-year sentence, has
become a leading advocate for the repeal of the federal minimum mandatory
sentencing guidelines for drug crimes.

While a student at Virginia's Hampton University in the early 1990s, she
started a relationship with Peter Michael Hall, who was already under
surveillance by federal agents who suspected that he was a crack and
cocaine dealer.

Supporters contend her involvement in Hall's alleged $4 million-a-year drug
ring was minor, occasionally carrying cash or guns for her boyfriend, who
was eventually indicted on drug trafficking charges.

And even though prosecutors acknowledged at her trial that she did not
sell, use or benefit directly from Hall's involvement with drugs, the
federal guidelines called for a minimum sentence of 241/2 years.

Hall was found shot to death in October 1994 and never served a day in prison.

"Yes, I made a mistake, and yes, I deserved punishment," Smith said
Thursday. "But none of it warranted 241/2 years in prison."

Smith made her comments to a luncheon crowd during the regional conference
of Delta Sigma Theta, an African-American social service sorority with
chapters throughout the country.

The five-day conference, which concludes Sunday, has attracted about 1,600
delegates.

During her 20-minute speech, Smith repeatedly directed her comments to the
numerous students in the crowd, beseeching them to make good choices.

"Don't let any man or anything sidetrack you from your goals," she said.

She also urged people to get involved in the debate about the nation's drug
laws because she said they disproportionately affect African- Americans. A
report released last year by Human Rights Watch showed that
African-Americans make up 62 percent of the nation's imprisoned drug
offenders while accounting for 13 percent of the population.

"One of the things I've had to deal with was the guilt in my heart for
falling in love with a man who was dealing drugs and destroying our
community," she said.

Smith, who is now enrolled at Virginia Union University and pursuing a
social work degree, said she will continue to speak out about her
experience because she believes thousands of people remain in prison under
sentences that are too harsh.

"It's not that some people don't deserve punishment," she said. "But the
punishment that's being given out today is just ridiculous."