R.I.P. "Granny" Groves

Eighty-six-year-old Alva Mae “Granny” Groves, who was sentenced to 24 years in the federal pen for what she and her supporters insist was solely refusing to testify against her children in a federal coke dealing case, died behind bars last week at the federal prison medical facility in Fort Worth, reports the Drug Reform Coordination Network.

The North Carolina native, who was transferred to the Texas pen after her kidneys began to fail earlier this year, had served 13 years of her sentence after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess and intent to sell cocaine, and for aiding and abetting the trade of crack coke for food stamps, DRCNet reports. Federal prosecutors have said that Granny Groves was actively involved in the cocaine trade. She, her family members and supporters insist that is not the case – rather, they argue, Granny was guilty of looking the other way and for refusing to testify against her children in cases that would put them behind bars for life.

Last winter, Groves family asked officials for a “compassionate release” for Granny Groves, so that she could die at home with family. Their requests were denied.