Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Welcome to Zatalounge

Zatalounge is a chat forum provided for those who wish to present their personal views, opinions, or insights on all sorts of topics. Everyone has an opinion and they don't always agree. This website seeks to promote differences of opinion and discussions among users so that everyone gets to have their say.

Become a registered member or be our guest. It's your choice!


Username:   Password:
Add Reply
Marissa Alexander vs Angela Corey
Topic Started: Jul 19 2013, 01:58 PM (157 Views)
Guest
Unregistered

Marissa Alexander, the Jacksonville, Fla., mother sentenced to 20 years in prison for firing what she says was a warning shot at her abusive husband, remains behind bars more than a year after a judge tossed her "Stand Your Ground" defense. But with George Zimmerman's acquittal Sunday on murder charges, her cause is picking up steam.

[GALLERY: Zimmerman Outcome Sparks Outrage Across the Country]

Rep. Corrine Brown, D-Fla., is among Alexander's most vocal supporters. She's also a fierce critic of State Attorney Angela Corey, the elected prosecutor who presided over both cases.

"I do know that she has shown absolutely no compassion," Brown told U.S. News. "Where was the common sense? I hate to say this, but you wouldn't expect this from a female."

On July 31, 2010, Alexander – who had given birth days before – fired what she describes as a warning shot during a fight with her husband. Two children were inside the Jacksonville home when she pulled the trigger, but no one was harmed.

[RELATED: Holder's 'Retreat' Line Upsets Gun Owners]

Alexander claimed self-defense under Florida's "Stand Your Ground" law, which allows citizens to defend themselves when attacked. But a judge rejected that argument. Alexander was convicted of aggravated assault by a six-person jury and sentenced to 20 years in prison on May 11, 2012. The presiding judge said his hands were tied by state law, which mandates a minimum sentence of 20 years for firing a gun in the commission of a felony.

This undated family photo provided by Lincoln B. Alexander shows, Marissa Alexander in her car in Tampa, Fla. Alexander had never been arrested before she fired a bullet at a wall one day in 2010 to scare off her husband when she felt he was threatening her. Nobody got hurt, but this month a northeast Florida judge was bound by state law to sentence her to 20 years in prison. (Lincoln B. Alexander/AP)

"It's hard to believe that a female could get 20 years for firing a warning shot at an abusive husband who beat her," Brown said. "There was a restraining order the day it happened. She's a person who had a master's degree, who worked her way through school."

Corey threw the book at Alexander after she refused a three-year prison stint as part of a plea deal. The congresswoman remains indignant about the "unbelievable" offer, which she said would have compelled Alexander to sacrifice custody of her newborn and accept a felony conviction.

"She hasn't seen her baby since [her conviction]," Brown said. "That's cruel." Alexander's family also hasn't been allowed to see the baby, she said.

Brown confronted Corey after the verdict was announced last year. "Three years is not mercy and 20 years is not justice," an emotional Brown told the prosecutor in a scene videotaped by WJXT-TV, saying a recent murder case ended with a 15-year sentence. "If there ever was a 'Stand Your Ground' case, it was this one."

http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2013/07/18/marissa-alexander-20-year-sentence-george-zimmerman-prosecutor-angela-corey
===============================================

This is so wrong on so many levels.
Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
« Previous Topic · General Discussion · Next Topic »
Add Reply