Raped, abdominally stabbed and pregnant Susan Brown waited on the curb for police to arrive on June 19th, 2003 after an altercation with her estranged husband that resulted in his fatality. When polic
Decision Makers:
Gretchen Whitmer
Raped, abdominally stabbed and pregnant Susan Brown waited on the curb for police to arrive on June 19th, 2003 after an altercation with her estranged husband that resulted in his fatality. When police arrived they escorted her to Henry Ford Hospital where she delivered her baby via C-section. Miraculously, the child survived. Susan was placed under arrest and charged with premeditated first degree murder. After a mistrial, Susan was sentenced to life in prison, without the possibility of parole and remains incarcerated at the Huron Valley Women’s Correctional Facility, as of June 19th, 2026. During her time away from home, Susan has mentored numerous young women, launched initiatives for survivors of domestic violence, maintained steady employment, and blossomed into an internationally accoladed artist. Having won multiple awards, including a First Place award, through the Prison Creative Arts Program hosted by the University of Michigan, Susan remains steadfast in her dedication to the arts as well as creative expression. A mother of 5, Susan has always held space for her children despite being physically removed from their lives, and is welcoming and reciprocative of all affection and support shown through the years. Her children serve as daily inspiration for her art pieces as well as a reminder of what life could look like, if she were to be released. Susan’s most recent clemency application to Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer (2024) did not result in her release and she, as well as members of her family, can only hope that members of the public will remain supportive through the next appeal process. Please consider signing this petition which will be sent to Gov. Whitmer showing signs of public support of welcoming Susan Brown back into society and her family.
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
June 20, 2026
Reached 250 supporters
June 20, 2026
Reached 100 supporters
June 19, 2026
133 Comments
They steamrolled her and over charged her. Women have a right to protect themselves, despite the man-dominated justice system essentially saying we must take the abuse or else be punished.
Susan Brown never should have been arrested in the first place. The fact that she has spent so long being unable to hold her own children is nightmarish. She saved her life and her unborn child’s.
This country doesn’t take domestic violence against women seriously and in particular Black women are neglected and unprotected. People who do far worse than her see less time. The intentional inequities in our justice system are pervasive. This is a probable fact. Free this woman!
I'm so tired of seeing women pay the price for men. Let her go. She killed in self defense, not in a bout of anger, not as a premeditated murder, but SELF DEFENSE. Why is she serving any time at all, considering what she had already been through? Release Susan Brown!!!
I have listened to Susan's story. Although there is never a justified reason to murder another person, I believe Susan has served enough time and has taken responsibility for her actions and shown remorse, growth, and accountability for her actions. She is contributing to the lives of others and living a changed life.
I have listened to her story on one minute remaining and I can’t think of a better candidate for clemency. She did an awful thing but under horrific circumstances. Her work supporting others and the life she leads today is surely an example for all.
I am shocked that Governor Whitmer has thus far declined to release this prisoner, who seems to be in jail for defending herself against a violent and aggressive former intimate partner. A sentence of imprisonment without parole is so very rare when men are charged with rape or intimate partner violence. Women have to have the right to defend themselves because so very few others will do so. Please Governor, release Susan Brown.
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Raped, abdominally stabbed and pregnant Susan Brown waited on the curb for police to arrive on June 19th, 2003 after an altercation with her estranged husband that resulted in his fatality. When polic
Decision Makers:
Gretchen Whitmer
Raped, abdominally stabbed and pregnant Susan Brown waited on the curb for police to arrive on June 19th, 2003 after an altercation with her estranged husband that resulted in his fatality. When police arrived they escorted her to Henry Ford Hospital where she delivered her baby via C-section. Miraculously, the child survived. Susan was placed under arrest and charged with premeditated first degree murder. After a mistrial, Susan was sentenced to life in prison, without the possibility of parole and remains incarcerated at the Huron Valley Women’s Correctional Facility, as of June 19th, 2026. During her time away from home, Susan has mentored numerous young women, launched initiatives for survivors of domestic violence, maintained steady employment, and blossomed into an internationally accoladed artist. Having won multiple awards, including a First Place award, through the Prison Creative Arts Program hosted by the University of Michigan, Susan remains steadfast in her dedication to the arts as well as creative expression. A mother of 5, Susan has always held space for her children despite being physically removed from their lives, and is welcoming and reciprocative of all affection and support shown through the years. Her children serve as daily inspiration for her art pieces as well as a reminder of what life could look like, if she were to be released. Susan’s most recent clemency application to Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer (2024) did not result in her release and she, as well as members of her family, can only hope that members of the public will remain supportive through the next appeal process. Please consider signing this petition which will be sent to Gov. Whitmer showing signs of public support of welcoming Susan Brown back into society and her family.
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
June 20, 2026
Reached 250 supporters
June 20, 2026
Reached 100 supporters
June 19, 2026
133 Comments
Women who defend themself against rapist and abuser should not be imprisoned! The justice system is so skewed to men, even violent men, it's beyond belief ! Free Susan Brown!
They steamrolled her and over charged her. Women have a right to protect themselves, despite the man-dominated justice system essentially saying we must take the abuse or else be punished.
Susan Brown never should have been arrested in the first place. The fact that she has spent so long being unable to hold her own children is nightmarish. She saved her life and her unborn child’s.
This country doesn’t take domestic violence against women seriously and in particular Black women are neglected and unprotected. People who do far worse than her see less time. The intentional inequities in our justice system are pervasive. This is a probable fact. Free this woman!
I'm so tired of seeing women pay the price for men. Let her go. She killed in self defense, not in a bout of anger, not as a premeditated murder, but SELF DEFENSE. Why is she serving any time at all, considering what she had already been through? Release Susan Brown!!!
I have listened to Susan's story. Although there is never a justified reason to murder another person, I believe Susan has served enough time and has taken responsibility for her actions and shown remorse, growth, and accountability for her actions. She is contributing to the lives of others and living a changed life.
I have listened to her story on one minute remaining and I can’t think of a better candidate for clemency. She did an awful thing but under horrific circumstances. Her work supporting others and the life she leads today is surely an example for all.
I am shocked that Governor Whitmer has thus far declined to release this prisoner, who seems to be in jail for defending herself against a violent and aggressive former intimate partner. A sentence of imprisonment without parole is so very rare when men are charged with rape or intimate partner violence. Women have to have the right to defend themselves because so very few others will do so. Please Governor, release Susan Brown.
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Women who defend themself against rapist and abuser should not be imprisoned! The justice system is so skewed to men, even violent men, it's beyond belief ! Free Susan Brown!