Call to Release Dallas Salon Owner from Jail Grows Louder

DALLAS (WBAP/KLIF) – Texans and state leaders are pushing back against a Dallas judge’s decision to jail a local salon owner who refused to close her business amid coronavirus stay at home orders. The Attorney General is calling for Shelley Luther’s immediate release.

Chants of “Pardon Shelley” were heard from a crowd in Downtown Dallas on Wednesday, demanding Shelley Luther be released from jail. Judge Eric Moye put her behind bars for seven days on Tuesday after she refused to shut down Salon A La Mode, despite local coronavirus restrictions. He issued a restraining order requiring the salon to close, but it never did.

“It’s unamerican and not what we as Texans believe,” a protester said. “This Judge is just a petty tyrant.”

State leaders came to Luther’s defense.

Attorney General Ken Paxton sent a letter to Judge Moye, stating that he abused his authority by putting Shelley Luther in jail for opening her salon to feed her family.

“I find it outrageous and out of touch that during this national pandemic, a judge, in a county that actually released hardened criminals for fear of contracting COVID-19, would jail a mother for operating her hair salon in an attempt to put food on her family’s table,” said Attorney General Paxton. “The trial judge did not need to lock up Shelley Luther. His order is a shameful abuse of judicial discretion, which seems like another political stunt in Dallas. He should release Ms. Luther immediately.”

Governor Greg Abbott condemned the Judge’s ruling.

“As I have made clear through prior pronouncements, jailing Texans for non-compliance with executive orders should always be the last available option. Compliance with executive orders during this pandemic is important to ensure public safety; however, surely there are less restrictive means to achieving that goal than jailing a Texas mother.”

Abbott called the seven day sentence “excessive.”

Listen to Clayton Neville’s story below: