This is my mother, Noni Jamil Stinson and she is currently serving 30 years for manslaughter in the Florida Department of Corrections. she is  #survived and punished! She was married to an abusive alcoholic who sold drugs for a living. During the course of their marriage he repeatedly abused her physically, sexually and mentally. She sought help from the criminal justice system to no avail. Cases against him were quickly settled. Restraining orders dismissed. The system didn't care about a young, black woman being abused by her dope dealing husband. That is until she defended herself against him by shooting and killing him. Because she didn't fit their stereotypes, they became very interested and intent on prosecuting her to the fullest extent of the law. She was charged with Murder in the Second Degree. She was badgered about why she didn't just leave. She was told she was too smart and should have known better. She was criticized for lying, a habit she had become accustomed to, to cover up his dirty deeds. She was no longer a victim but a monster. She has served 18 years of a 30 year sentence and during this time we have exhausted all means of relief with the exception of a clemency.  We are asking for support to help her gain her freedom so that she may reintegrate into free society and fight to help other survivors of abuse who have been criminalized by the justice system. Change will not be swift but it can start with us. 

Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act

There are many women like my mother in prison serving lengthy sentences for committing crimes that were, in their mind at the time, necessary. They were either defending themselves against an abuser or committing a crime orchestrated by an abuser and subsequently sentenced without any consideration of the toll of the abuse. Other states, such as New York [Criminal Procedure Law 440.47(1)], have what is called The Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act which does not excuse the crime but does allow the court to resentence a domestic violence survivor who meets certain criteria:

• Must be incarcerated and serving a sentence of at least 8 years
•  Must be sentenced as first or second felony offender(s). *Applicants sentenced as second violent felony offenders or persistent violent felony offenders are not qualified.
• Conviction upon resentencing sought cannot be for: * Second - degree murder of a child under 14 by a person over 18 during a sexual act * First - degree murder * Aggravated murder * Acts of terrorism * Attempted or conspiracy to commit any of the above - listed crimes * Any offense requiring registration under the Sex Offender Registration Act Applicant must have been the victim, or suffering from the effects, of domestic violence in that he or she was subjected to substantial physical, sexual or psychological abuse.
• Applicant's abuser must have been a family member or someone who lived in the same household or foster home that includes someone the applicant was or is married or engaged too, someone related by good or adoption, someone who usually lived in the home, someone the applicant has a child with, or someone the applicant has had an intimate relationship with even if they never lived together
• The abuser must have been a "significant contributing factor" to the alleged criminal behavior. However, the abuser does not have to be the alleged victim of the crime of which the applicant was convicted.
• Motion must include at least two documents showing the applicant was subjected to domestic violence: * Court record * Pre - sentence report * Social services record * Hospital record * Law enforcement record * Domestic incident report * Order of protection

Please help bring the justice that other states have already recognized as needed to the state of Florida.