Guest Post: A Daughter Writes About Her Mother, LuAnne Szenay
My mother, LuAnne, and I have been separated for 30+ long years. This has been a terribly painful experience for both of us. I thought as the years passed, perhaps, the pain would lessen. But, sadly, it has only increased. I’ve learned the painful truth that growing old in prison is a death sentence in
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Letters of Support: Judge Jack McDonald (Retired)
Circuit Judge John James McDonald (retired) PO Box 363 Grand Haven, MI 49417 Website: jtsadvocates.com Email: contact@jtsadvocates.com September 5, 2018 Honorable Address city/state/zip Re: People v Christel, 449 Mich 537 (1995) Nancy Seaman #520695 Incarcerated since 2004 To: The Honorable _________________________________________ State Representative or State Senator By way of introduction, I am the trial judge
Read MoreLetters of Support: Norman Lippitt
September 5, 2018 Hon. Address City/State/Zip RE: People v. Christel, 449 Mich 537 (1995) Nancy Seaman #520695 Incarcerated since 2004 Dear: As a judge who has served on the Sixth Circuit court in Michigan for four years, I’m writing to express my professional opinion about a Michigan law which significantly impedes a battered woman defendant’s
Read MoreLetters of Support: Nels Thompson
As a licensed psychologist formerly employed by the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC), I felt compelled to write and express my professional opinion about a Michigan law which has had a detrimental effect on the trial outcomes for battered women who have killed their abusers in what they believed was an act of lawful self-defense.
Read MoreTips for Writing to Your Legislators
Writing or emailing your own state senator or representative is an important way to support reforms you care about. The following tips can help: Keep your letter brief, polite and focused on the issue you are writing about. If you are writing to ask a legislator to help you with a loved one’s case, it
Read MoreDomestic Violence Expert Conclusion on Michigan Woman’s Self-Defense
A recent feature story in the Detroit Free Press by Kristen Jordan Shamus gives a perfectly clear picture as to why we are working hard to get this message out to our lawmakers to amend the People v Christel ruling on behalf of limited expert testimony for battered women in our courts. And to get
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