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.
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Tips 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
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Guest Post: Joanna – A Story of Gaslighting & Deception – In My Own Words
I now began to see him as my enemy instead of my soulmate. Watching and hearing him lie to my face hurt more than anything I had ever experienced. No matter how hard I tried to make things right and work through our difficulties, he continued to deceive me behind my back. Once he knew I was on to his behavior he upped the pain level. It’s as he was now doing things on purpose. He would sit and text in my presence and work on his lap top, but if I came anywhere near him, he’d quick snap them shut so I couldn’t see what he was up to. The level of disrespect was now out of control.
Read MoreGuest Post: What is Reasonable?
By: Corrine Mackenzie In doing this research my ultimate goal is to see the change that is so desperately needed in Michigan regarding self-defense. If I have the right to defend myself against a perpetrator breaking into my home, then I certainly have the right to defend my life against a man who is battering
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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JTS Founder’s message at “OUTCRY for Justice” to give #Justice4Women
The founder of Justice Thru Storytelling, Kelle Lynn, carried the “Double Injustice to Women” message to fellow advocates and lawmakers at the National Day of Empathy in Lansing on March 5. Read her speech below which includes comments from Chief Justice Bridget McCormack and Prosecutor D.J. Hilson, who is the president of PAAM. In October
Read MoreJustice Thru Storytelling demands #Justice4Women
October 8, 2018 Contact: Kelle Lynn Founder & Executive Director kellelynn07@gmail.com (832) 215-0030 As seen on NBC, NPR, Megyn Kelly Today, and Ashleigh Banfield with Headline News, a grassroots effort to change an unjust law begins Oct. 30 SPRING LAKE, Mich. – Victims of domestic violence face a double injustice when expert testimony is limited
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Domestic Violence Survivors Write Letters to Seaman In Prison
During the 14 years of my incarceration, letters from survivors of domestic abuse have arrived almost daily and now fill the footlocker in my prison cell. People from all walks of life from as far away as Singapore write to share the most private details of the domestic abuse they have endured. It’s a secret
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Demand Justice
The goal of this campaign is to convince our legislators in the state of Michigan to change People v Christel to model the California law in order to bring #Justice4Women.