No apologies from freed Texas salon owner

A Texas salon owner who was jailed for defying Republican Gov. Greg Abbott's public health orders by keeping her business open is free again. Shelley Luther walked out of a Dallas jail Thursday to cheering supporters.

She wore a mask while leaving jail less than 48 hours after a judge sentenced her to a week in jail for flouting public health orders meant to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Her release came shortly after the governor weakened his own mandate following an outcry by conservatives and GOP lawmakers.

Luther, who refused to apologize or promise to keep her business closed even after a Dallas judge said dong so might keep her out of jail, said she was overwhelmed as she walked toward a crowd chanting her name.

Luther said on Fox News Channel's "Hannity" show Thursday night that she couldn't  afford to keep her salon closed as ordered by local and state officials.

"I just woke up one day and said I have to open. My stylists are calling me, they're not making their mortgage," said Luther. "I'm still not caught up, I'm two months behind."

Friday was the first-day barbershops and hair salon could reopen in Texas.

(Representative Image)