Cheryle Beridon

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Cheryle Beridon spent 20 years in prison in Louisiana after being framed by Terrebonne Parish District Attorney Norval Rhodes.

Mr. Rhodes was having an affair with Ms. Beridon; but when she refused to see him after the relationship soured he threatened her with prison. Ms. Beridon refused to acquiesce and  a charge  of unlawful distribution of heroin was brought against her.

Ms. Beridon was convicted of selling $125 of heroin to a police informant in the summer of 1977. Mr. Rhodes was the primary witness. Ms. Beridon was sentenced to life in prison.

The NAACP were instrumental in persuade the Pardon Board and Gov.  Mike Foster to commute her life sentence to 45 years, making her eligible for parole. They lobbied for Ms. Beridon and won her release in 1997. Two years later, she was granted a full pardon by then-Governor, Mike Foster.

Cheryle is a proud grandmother of five. She spends her free time volunteering with churches and adolescents and is an active member of the NAACP.

Norval Rhodes has never been held to account for what he did.

Further Reading:

- Thurston, Dee Dee, “Freedom for Beridon” The Courier [Houma, Louisiana] November 20, 2000.

- Thurston, Dee Dee, “Local Woman Seeks Pardon.” The Courier [Houma, Louisiana]. May 4, 2003.

- Thurston, Dee Dee, “Foster Grants Pardon to Local Woman.” The Courier [Houma, Louisiana], July 30, 2003.