On August 1, 2010, Rico Gray began arguing with Marissa Alexander over text communications on Alexander's phone between her and her ex-husband. Gray, a man with a history of violence exacted on all 5 mothers of his various children, had strangled and beaten Ms. Alexander on prior occasions, and had beaten her during her recent pregnancy (their daughter was nine days old on August 1st). As Gray raged through Ms. Alexander's home, she demanded that he leave; he refused.
Under duress, Ms. Alexander ran to her garage and retrieved her gun - a gun she was licensed to own. She again demanded that Gray leave. He refused and blocked her exit path. At that time, Ms. Alexander shot a warning shot into the wall of her garage. One month after the death of Trayvon Martin, Ms. Alexander was sentenced to 20 years of prison under the current Florida 10-20-life law, which requires a minimum of 20 years for anyone convicted of an aggravated assault when a firearm is discharged -with no regard to extenuating circumstances.
State prosecutor, Angela Corey, presented evidence that the gun was fired into the wall of a room where two children were. Corey offered a three year sentence, but Ms. Alexander rejected the "deal" because she believed she was "standing her ground." Her defense was rejected.
Governor Rick Scott must pardon Marissa Alexander, and the state of Florida must trash the 10-20-life law. A person, and especially a woman who has been victimized previously by their batterer, should have the right to defend themselves from further known serious bodily harm. Additionally, there should absolutely be judicial discretion to consider extenuating circumstances in sentencing.
Join me in signing this position for the pardon of Marissa Alexander...
The scale of this response is overwhelming and honestly it feels like a heavy weight has shifted. My persistence has been tested lately but seeing this level of engagement reminds me why we cannot stop now.
6 Comments
J
Jessica Malhotra
12 years ago
Featured
Ridiculous! A woman should not be punished for surviving a violent abuser. Let her go home to her kids.
S
Sarah Snyder
12 years ago
Featured
This is total injustice. She was just trying to protect herself from a man who beat her repeatedly. Free her now.
M
Marcus Espinoza
12 years ago
Featured
Corey needs to be held accountable for this mess. keep the pressure on governor scott.
D
David Griffin
13 years ago
Featured
PARDON HER ALREADY. she was defending her life
L
Linda Afolabi
13 years ago
Featured
So she is supposed to just let him kill her? This is crazy.
M
Mike Medina
13 years ago
Featured
20 years for a warning shot? The system is completely broken in Florida.
Help this petition grow
Share it with friends to help reach
100 signatures.
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
or sign with Email
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via
.
Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
On August 1, 2010, Rico Gray began arguing with Marissa Alexander over text communications on Alexander's phone between her and her ex-husband. Gray, a man with a history of violence exacted on all 5 mothers of his various children, had strangled and beaten Ms. Alexander on prior occasions, and had beaten her during her recent pregnancy (their daughter was nine days old on August 1st). As Gray raged through Ms. Alexander's home, she demanded that he leave; he refused.
Under duress, Ms. Alexander ran to her garage and retrieved her gun - a gun she was licensed to own. She again demanded that Gray leave. He refused and blocked her exit path. At that time, Ms. Alexander shot a warning shot into the wall of her garage. One month after the death of Trayvon Martin, Ms. Alexander was sentenced to 20 years of prison under the current Florida 10-20-life law, which requires a minimum of 20 years for anyone convicted of an aggravated assault when a firearm is discharged -with no regard to extenuating circumstances.
State prosecutor, Angela Corey, presented evidence that the gun was fired into the wall of a room where two children were. Corey offered a three year sentence, but Ms. Alexander rejected the "deal" because she believed she was "standing her ground." Her defense was rejected.
Governor Rick Scott must pardon Marissa Alexander, and the state of Florida must trash the 10-20-life law. A person, and especially a woman who has been victimized previously by their batterer, should have the right to defend themselves from further known serious bodily harm. Additionally, there should absolutely be judicial discretion to consider extenuating circumstances in sentencing.
Join me in signing this position for the pardon of Marissa Alexander...
The scale of this response is overwhelming and honestly it feels like a heavy weight has shifted. My persistence has been tested lately but seeing this level of engagement reminds me why we cannot stop now.
6 Comments
J
Jessica Malhotra
12 years ago
Featured
Ridiculous! A woman should not be punished for surviving a violent abuser. Let her go home to her kids.
S
Sarah Snyder
12 years ago
Featured
This is total injustice. She was just trying to protect herself from a man who beat her repeatedly. Free her now.
M
Marcus Espinoza
12 years ago
Featured
Corey needs to be held accountable for this mess. keep the pressure on governor scott.
D
David Griffin
13 years ago
Featured
PARDON HER ALREADY. she was defending her life
L
Linda Afolabi
13 years ago
Featured
So she is supposed to just let him kill her? This is crazy.
M
Mike Medina
13 years ago
Featured
20 years for a warning shot? The system is completely broken in Florida.
Help this petition grow
Share it with friends to help reach
100 signatures.
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
or sign with Email
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via . Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
Signing with Google or Facebook verifies your signature instantly — no email needed.
Ridiculous! A woman should not be punished for surviving a violent abuser. Let her go home to her kids.