JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - A Florida woman whose conviction sparked a change in the state’s gun laws is now completely free and says she plans to run an organization to help victims of domestic violence caught up in the criminal justice system.
Marissa Alexander told
The Florida Times-Union that she wants to help others because “from what I’ve been through I know a lot more about the system and how it fits together.”
“I’ve been contained since 2011,” Alexander said. “But I’m excited to have the chance to give back using whatever platform I have.”
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Alexander’s case became noticed because it was contrasted against what happened to George Zimmerman who was acquitted in the
2012 shooting death of Trayvon Martin after he said he shot the unarmed Martin in self-defense.
Alexander’s conviction was thrown out on appeal and she reached a plea deal in 2014. Her case was cited by legislators when they altered Florida’s mandatory sentencing law nearly three years ago.
Alexander was released from home detention this past week. She has begun the process of setting up the Marissa Alexander Justice Project which will not only focus on female victims of domestic violence but will be critical of minimum-mandatory sentences like the 20 years Alexander once faced after she was initially convicted.
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