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2banon

(7,321 posts)

163. Lost track of the stats on Women serving life time sentences ..

Fri Sep 27, 2013, 07:11 PM

Sep 2013

on convictions of First Degree Murder - the victim? Abusive Husbands/boyfriends. By abuse, I'm not referring to verbal abuse.

I recall PBS News Hour did a special investigation on the subject some years ago, I think it was way back in the mid to late 90's. Can't remember now.

And I don't recall the actual statistics, but I remember they were staggering in terms of the number of women incarcerated, serving life sentences, essentially for self defense.

It would be an interesting research project if only to update from 20 or so years ago. Perhaps it's been done, but given little attention.

Essentially, it was quite an indictment on the Judicial system, not only wrt to Race/People of Color in general, but to Women as well.

Seems to me, this case is yet one more to the statistics.

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Marissa Alexander, Woman Sentenced To 20 Years For Firing Warning Shot, Gets New Trial [View all] RosieS57 Sep 2013 OP

Perhaps this time she will take the plea deal she refused the first time. hack89 Sep 2013 #1

She retreated to the garage to flee from her abusive husband, fearing for her life... TinkerTot55 Sep 2013 #4

Indeed! RosieS57 Sep 2013 #5

Every garage door has a manual release hack89 Sep 2013 #6

If one did not know that (many don't) & the situation was dynamic, one would feel trapped. Period.nt Bernardo de La Paz Sep 2013 #10

Then she should have stayed where it was safe. hack89 Sep 2013 #12

Do you? How was she safe in the garage? Husband could get in there and she Bernardo de La Paz Sep 2013 #14

She had a gun. He didn't hack89 Sep 2013 #17

She had a gun because you say she left the garage to get it. Bernardo de La Paz Sep 2013 #18

She went to the garage to get her gun. She had a CCW and it was in her car. nt hack89 Sep 2013 #23

The garage in which she had parked her car the previous night. lumberjack_jeff Sep 2013 #76

I'm not strong enough to open the manual release. Tried it one day when the electricity was off. SharonAnn Sep 2013 #24

Exactly. Thanks. Hope you got it attended to. nt Bernardo de La Paz Sep 2013 #29

I don�t know where mine is... busterbrown Sep 2013 #15

So the inside of your garage door is perfectly smooth? hack89 Sep 2013 #19

Right and if your in a panic... You are in a panic and sometimes nothing make sense. busterbrown Sep 2013 #34

It was not self defense. hack89 Sep 2013 #37

One other ? busterbrown Sep 2013 #38

Not if you left and then voluntarily came back. hack89 Sep 2013 #59

Why? Gothmog Sep 2013 #151

Because she retreated to a safe area hack89 Sep 2013 #152

I disagree with your analysis Gothmog Sep 2013 #156

First off I have a hard time believing she could not open the garage hack89 Sep 2013 #159

There is no evidence that her husband jamzrockz Oct 2013 #173

why heaven05 Sep 2013 #53

Florida's minimum sentencing laws are an abomination hack89 Sep 2013 #56

and she got NO JUSTICE heaven05 Sep 2013 #60

What is your evidence that the husband at the time put his hands on her? jamzrockz Oct 2013 #174

Eyewitness testimony. She said so herself. Under oath. AnotherMcIntosh Oct 2013 #180

I posted the audio clip for the 911 call jamzrockz Oct 2013 #182

Interesting. Thanks. AnotherMcIntosh Oct 2013 #183

At around 2:50, he says "She pulled out a gun rocktivity Mar 2014 #189

oh please! heaven05 Oct 2013 #186

excellent question noiretextatique Sep 2013 #139

Would you believe that I once forgot there were manual door locks on my car? notadmblnd Sep 2013 #27

Last week I locked my unlock fob in the car. Had my key, but forgot I could unlock it manually, Mnemosyne Sep 2013 #45

And if it's not in working order, or the spring is busted, she might not be able to lift it. AtheistCrusader Sep 2013 #46

Her only choice then was to grab a gun and go back into the house? hack89 Sep 2013 #57

Her children were also inside the house, or had been, she may have feared for their safety as well. AtheistCrusader Sep 2013 #62

She fired in the direction of her kids hack89 Sep 2013 #64

I think they were his kids from a previous marriage. n/t lumberjack_jeff Sep 2013 #78

She fired into the cieling above him. AtheistCrusader Sep 2013 #109

And you think that was a smart thing to do? hack89 Sep 2013 #113

I understand why warning shots are unlawful. AtheistCrusader Sep 2013 #117

In many states warning shots are considered aggravated assault hack89 Sep 2013 #118

Again, I understand the statute. AtheistCrusader Sep 2013 #119

If so, she is a very poor shot because she hit the wall instead. AnotherMcIntosh Oct 2013 #176

It was high on the wall... AtheistCrusader Oct 2013 #178

That makes a difference. She aimed towards the ceiling but hit "high" on a wall. AnotherMcIntosh Oct 2013 #179

In either case, she stated to the police it was a warning shot. AtheistCrusader Oct 2013 #181

I still say that she should have called it an "accidental" discharge... Blue_Tires Oct 2013 #185

No, she fired into the wall at head level. ManiacJoe Oct 2013 #188

oh please heaven05 Sep 2013 #52

No everybody knows that. tblue Sep 2013 #100

Isn't the bar whether she had a reasonable fear her life was in danger or she was in danger of dkf Sep 2013 #128

Let look at the Florida statutes hack89 Sep 2013 #146

The ex admitted to prior abuse. dkf Sep 2013 #150

It makes sense - you are right. hack89 Sep 2013 #153

If the result is the same then I would say it is racism. dkf Sep 2013 #154

lol, it's funny how none of these technicalities applied to trayvon okieinpain Sep 2013 #158

Zimmerman was guilty of manslaughter hack89 Sep 2013 #160

what she said was "i have something for your ass" ran to the garage and came back leftyohiolib Sep 2013 #20

Was that proven beyond a reasonable doubt or is that the testimony of the abusive husband? dkf Sep 2013 #129

it's what the ag said was said. the ag was doing n interview on a fla radio station .i heard the leftyohiolib Sep 2013 #135

You want to bet that's a quote from the abusive husband? dkf Sep 2013 #136

Generally.... RosieS57 Sep 2013 #8

Except she created the confrontation hack89 Sep 2013 #9

She re-entered the house looking for an exit. She got the gun for self-defense. nt Bernardo de La Paz Sep 2013 #11

She could have left through the garage hack89 Sep 2013 #13

If one did not know that (many don't) & the situation was dynamic, one would feel trapped. Bernardo de La Paz Sep 2013 #16

In the eyes of the law, once you have retreated from danger hack89 Sep 2013 #21

It was not safe. That's why she left it. nt Bernardo de La Paz Sep 2013 #31

There is no evidence her ex pursued her into the garage. hack89 Sep 2013 #35

What is the precise amount of time it takes to calm down from a perceived and imminent danger LanternWaste Sep 2013 #103

Then she should not have had a CCW and a gun hack89 Sep 2013 #105

She was cornered in that garage. Warpy Sep 2013 #94

She shot in the direction of her ex and the kids. hack89 Sep 2013 #102

It was a warning shot Warpy Sep 2013 #145

Warning shots are illegal and a crime in most states. hack89 Sep 2013 #147

I wouldn't.. RosieS57 Sep 2013 #25

Then she should stayed there and waited. She was safe. hack89 Sep 2013 #28

No... What She Should Have Done, Was Shot Him Dead And Claimed "Stand Your Ground"... Right ??? WillyT Sep 2013 #32

Except there were witnesses. nt hack89 Sep 2013 #36

And apparently you were one of them. vanlassie Sep 2013 #43

No. She testified she went into the garage hack89 Sep 2013 #54

Oh, so you weren't there? Have you vanlassie Sep 2013 #65

What about the jury? hack89 Sep 2013 #67

Write the appeals court. vanlassie Sep 2013 #69

I suspect the result will be the same. nt hack89 Sep 2013 #72

Ridiculous shawn703 Sep 2013 #39

The law doesn't see it that way unfortunately. hack89 Sep 2013 #58

what an absurd assertion noiretextatique Sep 2013 #140

Forget it; he's rolling Blue_Tires Sep 2013 #143

i remember all if them noiretextatique Sep 2013 #171

Does that explain why she shot in the direction of the kids? Because she was panicked? hack89 Oct 2013 #175

This message was self-deleted by its author hack89 Oct 2013 #177

Did George Zimmerman create an avoidable confrontation? Just curious. cheapdate Sep 2013 #44

Yes. Just like him that CCW led to a poor choice. nt hack89 Sep 2013 #55

I agree. Thank you for you answer. cheapdate Sep 2013 #164

Yes, and that is not the standard as we've seen. dkf Sep 2013 #134

From what I've seen self defense works for assault. dkf Sep 2013 #133

She didn't aim at the ceiling. Igel Sep 2013 #66

Except... RosieS57 Sep 2013 #68

He wasn't there that night. lumberjack_jeff Sep 2013 #75

She did point the gun at him. The bullet hit the wall and ricocheted into the ceiling. See post 74. lumberjack_jeff Sep 2013 #77

oh please heaven05 Sep 2013 #51

and she wasn't suppsed to be there in the first place. Niceguy1 Sep 2013 #61

It's funny to see this from you, given how much water you carried for Zimmerman... Blue_Tires Sep 2013 #110

And I find it funny that all those that condemned Florida's concealed carry laws hack89 Sep 2013 #115

And I've always said countless people have been convicted Blue_Tires Sep 2013 #120

I argued the law in both cases. hack89 Sep 2013 #121

The law may be mostly "straightforward", but it is open to interpretation.. Blue_Tires Sep 2013 #123

Give it a break - you are trying too hard. hack89 Sep 2013 #124

Wrong again...I just like black folks to get equal, consistent justice Blue_Tires Sep 2013 #125

It is crystal clear what kind of person you are. hack89 Sep 2013 #131

Hate on me all you wish if it helps your catharsis... Blue_Tires Sep 2013 #137

Hate? Too powerful an emotion to waste on an anonymous internet opponent hack89 Sep 2013 #142

So what are you judging me on, then?? Blue_Tires Sep 2013 #148

That was a snarky comment on your willingness to judge me hack89 Sep 2013 #149

Her mistake was to The Wizard Sep 2013 #2

Yup. LIFWB or LIFWAF cui bono Sep 2013 #7

But evidently we're *never* supposed to point that out... Blue_Tires Sep 2013 #130

Glad to see it. Let's work for more 'equality under the law.' What's been going there is an affront. freshwest Sep 2013 #3

So glad she will get another hearing. Judi Lynn Sep 2013 #22

Wow! RosieS57 Sep 2013 #26

Forgot to mention, welcome to D.U., Rosie. Judi Lynn Sep 2013 #97

TYVM RosieS57 Sep 2013 #106

I'm with you- well said! Tumbulu Sep 2013 #79

The comments do say more about the writers than they realize. That's deep hostility Judi Lynn Sep 2013 #96

Tes, so very revealing and so very sad Tumbulu Sep 2013 #168

This is good news Gothmog Sep 2013 #30

This is the kind of discussion thread FreedRadical Sep 2013 #33

You are right, of course RosieS57 Sep 2013 #42

Your OP is fine FreedRadical Sep 2013 #47

The idiots who defend the jerk of a man Tumbulu Sep 2013 #80

They defend him BainsBane Sep 2013 #87

Or perhaps "they" think that aggravated assault should be discouraged. n/t lumberjack_jeff Sep 2013 #90

Why not the assault of the woman? BainsBane Sep 2013 #91

On the contrary. I'm largely alone in this thread in NOT excusing and defending domestic assault. lumberjack_jeff Sep 2013 #108

He should have been in jail already, why has he not been in jail for 20 years for assault Tumbulu Sep 2013 #169

Tremendous post, FreedRadical. Thanks for saying it so well. n/t Judi Lynn Sep 2013 #98

thank you...this is some sick american bullshit noiretextatique Sep 2013 #141

K&R NealK Sep 2013 #40

My personal opinion is that Ms. Alexander RC Sep 2013 #41

I don't know anything about this incident, but cheapdate Sep 2013 #48

I agree! Nt Tumbulu Sep 2013 #81

About time. Very pleased to hear it. SleeplessinSoCal Sep 2013 #49

good! now on to don siegelman heaven05 Sep 2013 #50

Thank god JonLP24 Sep 2013 #63

Just how fucked up is a 20-year sentence for discharging a gun when no one gets hurt? Imagine, indepat Sep 2013 #70

It is some..... RosieS57 Sep 2013 #71

Never will I again go to FL indepat Sep 2013 #73

Really...are the kids supposed to stay with her abusive husband? Ash_F Sep 2013 #111

Just as fucked up as the former George Zimmerman defense brigade Blue_Tires Sep 2013 #132

a) it wasn't a warning shot, it was at the heads of her husband and his children. lumberjack_jeff Sep 2013 #74

He had a history of abusing her Tumbulu Sep 2013 #82

That makes him a hero in the eyes of some BainsBane Sep 2013 #86

He's not on trial. She is. lumberjack_jeff Sep 2013 #89

The facts of the case are in dispute BainsBane Sep 2013 #92

A look at his face in "images" tells anyone he is brutal. It's right there, in plain sight. Judi Lynn Sep 2013 #99

I am saying that if he had been in jail for abuse in the first place Tumbulu Sep 2013 #166

Her husband that had beaten the crap out of her on numerous occassions BainsBane Sep 2013 #85

a) This has not been sufficiently proven Ash_F Sep 2013 #112

Her problem was calling it a "warning shot" Blue_Tires Sep 2013 #138

You are quoting the National Review as a source? And you are a Democrat? kwassa Sep 2013 #165

Best news of the day, thanks for posting Rose! Tumbulu Sep 2013 #83

Thanks, Tumbalu RosieS57 Sep 2013 #95

Thanks for mentioning the fact she had given birth only a little over a week earlier. n/t Judi Lynn Sep 2013 #126

I am so relieved to learn this! BainsBane Sep 2013 #84

I'm glad she's getting another chance to beat these bullshit charges. blackspade Sep 2013 #88

Once again we see the determination to protect abusers BainsBane Sep 2013 #93

Someone JustAnotherGen Sep 2013 #101

She also pled no contest to domestic battery of him. tammywammy Sep 2013 #104

DUers? /nt Ash_F Sep 2013 #114

She was fortunate to live in a state where she would carry a gun in public and protect herself hack89 Sep 2013 #122

oh, so you want to defend her now?? Blue_Tires Sep 2013 #127

really sick shit noiretextatique Sep 2013 #144

Astounding, isn't it? BainsBane Sep 2013 #155

yep noiretextatique Sep 2013 #170

Firing a "warning shot" in a wall is several magnitudes dumber than firing a warning shot at all. Kurska Sep 2013 #107

Should she have shot him instead? dkf Sep 2013 #157

If she legitimately thought her life was in danger, then yes Kurska Sep 2013 #161

Personally I would prefer a warning shot if someone was moving on me. dkf Sep 2013 #162

It seems shooting the gun is justified if and only if killing the target is justified. JVS Oct 2013 #184

I hope she gets released. If she killed the abuser, she probably would have got the same 20 years. Sunlei Sep 2013 #116

Lost track of the stats on Women serving life time sentences .. 2banon Sep 2013 #163

sickening and clearly not improved Tumbulu Sep 2013 #167

Kick :) n/t Tx4obama Oct 2013 #172

I want to invite our resident Gun Enthusiasts who are so unhappy about this new trial.... Paladin Oct 2013 #187