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Corrine’s Story: Part 9

For years I carried shame from the abuse that I suffered at the hands of others. I walked around with a chip on my shoulder and believed that I  deserved the atrocities afflicted upon me. I was told I was an accident and not supposed to be born from a young age. It seems like

Corrine’s Story: Part 8

Sorry, it has been so long since my last blog entry. Life here has been a bit challenging, and that is putting it lightly. I have been struggling with my time left more than I have with the prior 12 years. The prison is back on outbreak status, which means there is no school again.

Letter to Michigan Parole Board Chairperson

December 6, 2021 Mr. Brian Shipman, Parole Board Chairperson Michigan Department of Correction Office of the Parole Board 206 E Michigan Avenue Grandview Plaza Lansing, MI 48933 Re: Commutation for Nancy Seaman #520695 Dear Mr. Shipman: Since the Parole Board operates with the practice that something extraordinary must occur before granting commutation in first-degree murder

Corrine’s Story: Part 7

Weak and vulnerable, I let Sean walk back into my life, just like that. He led me to the couch by my hand, sat me down, and put his arms around me. It felt so good to have his comfort again. I lost all senses and was right back where he wanted me. He told

Corrine’s Story: Part 6

I have struggled with the words to describe the relationship that I was in before Brandon. Many of you may be able to relate to the experience that I am about to share. I first met Sean in high school. He was a friend, another one in our crowd. I always found Sean attractive and

Evidence Presented in a Letter to Nancy Seaman 2004 Jury Members

Dear (Jury Member): My name is Kelle Lynn, and I am the founder of Justice Thru Storytelling, a nonprofit in Grand Haven, MI, focusing on women incarcerated for issues related to intimate partner violence. I am reaching out to you because, in 2004, you were a member of the jury panel that convicted Nancy Seaman

Corrine’s Story: Part 5

People often ask me why Brandon so viciously attacked me and murdered my son. I honestly do not know why. How can a person commit such evil and turn into a monster overnight? People think that there were signs that he would flip the switch and become someone that I did not know, but that

Corrine’s Story: Part 4

I always thought that Brandon was a decent human being. For me, the good times came down to the fact that he treated me with respect and genuinely seemed to love my children and me. As a young woman so conditioned to unhealthy relationships, I thought Brandon was a “great guy.” He had a loving

Corrine’s Story: Part 3

It is essential to discuss the good times that I once had with my abuser, Brandon.  Something made me feel attracted to him at first, and abuse was not part of the equation. As mentioned before, Brandon and I started as friends. He was a laid-back guy that never seemed angry. He had a protective

In Her Own Words: Tina’s Story, Part 4

I loved to socialize and throw get-togethers at my apartment. I always tried to call all our friends and invite them for snacks and beverages. At first, Mike did not mind, but he became more irritated by them as time went on. He would sit in the room and play on the computer, completely ignoring

Corrine’s Story: Part 2

When I met my abuser Brandon, he was 24, and I was 25. The first time we met, I was still in a relationship with my son, Dominick’s, dad. Even though Brandon was the neighborhood drug dealer, he was an average guy that everyone adored. Of course, none of us who were into that lifestyle

Corrine’s Story: Almost The Hero

Eleven years ago, I nearly lost my life trying to protect and save my four-year-old son, Dominick. For three days, the man I was in a relationship with turned violent; his eyes looked black – void of anything human. I honestly believed that death was imminent. I thought I was doing all I could in

In Her Own Words: Tina’s Story, Part 3

Within six months of moving home, Mike gave me an ultimatum — move to Grand Rapids to be with him or risk losing the relationship. I foolishly chose to walk away from my family and join him in Grand Rapids. I don’t blame my parents; I moped around, picked fights, and failed to respect their

In Her Own Words: Tina’s Story, Part 2

I never thought of my life turning out the way it did. No one ever anticipates getting into a relationship with an abusive partner. Unfortunately, it isn’t easy to foresee the future. 

Letter to the Attorney General of the State of Michigan on Behalf of Nancy Seaman

Sandra Schwartz May 22, 2019 Attorney General Dana Nessel Conviction Integrity Unit Attn: Robyn Frankel G. Mennen Williams Bldg. – 7th Floor 525 W. Ottawa – P.O. Box 30212 Lansing, MI 48909 Dear Attorney General Nessel, I am writing this letter on behalf of my former teaching colleague and friend, Nancy Seaman. Nan-cy has been

In Her Own Words: Tina’s Story, Part 1

In Sept 2018, I had a choice to make. Someone was going to die – me and my son or my husband, the man I’ve known for 23 years. This is the most challenging story I will ever tell, but it needs to be out there. If I can help other survivors of intimate partner

Letters of Support: Judge Jack McDonald (Retired)

Circuit Judge John James McDonald (retired) PO Box 363 Grand Haven, MI 49417 Website: jtsadvocates.com Email: [email protected] 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

Letters 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

Letters 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.

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

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.

Guest 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

Domestic 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

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

Justice Thru Storytelling demands #Justice4Women

October 8, 2018 Contact:  Kelle Lynn Founder & Executive Director [email protected] (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

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

No Help From Police – by Nancy Seaman

It was a stormy summer night in 2002, much like tonight, when a heated argument between my husband and I turned violent, leaving me battered and bruised. When Bob fell asleep in a drunken stupor, I left the house and drove to the Farmington, Michigan Police Department. I entered the building and approached a tall,

Plea from Nancy Seaman’s son – Greg

Nancy Seaman’s son, Greg, was one week away from graduating college when he lost his father. When the police called to tell him what happened, Greg thought that his father killed his mother, then turned around and shot himself in a murder-suicide.

He knew his dad, a mechanical engineer who lost his prestigious position at work, had been mentally spiraling for a few years. The abuse against his mother had been escalating for quite some time.

Welcome to Michigan! by Nancy Seaman

Welcome to Michigan. Land of 10,000 lakes, a safe haven for abusers, and a hostile environment for battered women. Michigan, a state with a Self-Defense Act which disallows the use of deadly force by a battered woman if her attacker is a spouse, former spouse, in a dating relationship, resident of the same household, or

Former Circuit Judge Norman Lippitt Letter to Gov. Rick Snyder – Clemency for Seaman

Excerpt of letter: Dear Governor Snyder: By way of introduction, I am the Sixth Circuit judge who presided over the 1988 trial of Karen Kantzler who was convicted of second degree murder for the homicide of her abusive husband.  Since 1993, I have advocated for Ms. Kantzler’s release from prison and in December 2017, she

Seaman’s Colleague Sandra Strauss Schwartz, M.A. Ed letter to Gov. Snyder

Excerpt: While planning and teaching our Native American unit, there were a number of crafts we planned to make with the kids that required branches and sticks from trees. I remember Nancy laughing as she remarked on the abundance of twigs and branches she could bring in from her yard. She said that she did

Joanna – A Survivor’s Story of Deception & Gaslighting

Domestic abuse wears many faces: sexual, physical, emotional, verbal, financial. All are deadly. Emotional and verbal abuse leave no visible bruises, but they are nevertheless painful and damaging. This is one woman’s story about escaping such abuse. Names and some details have been changed for privacy and protection. Steven was a former military fighter pilot

Judge Jack McDonald letter to Megyn Kelly TODAY

Excerpt As Dr. Walker expressed in her post-conviction letter to me, “Without this evidence, it was difficult, if not impossible, for the jury to come to a fair and honest verdict.” Judge Jack McDonald letter to Megyn Kelly

Poem from Nancy Seaman in Response to NBC Today Show Juror

Seaman Responds to Today Show Juror

Nancy Seaman Letter to Megyn Kelly at NBC TODAY

Nancy Seaman Letter to Megyn Kelly.

Seaman Letter to First Lady Sue Snyder – 2 April 2018

“I twice contacted the police but received no help. The Farmington Police Department refused to send a patrol car to my home unless I agreed to have Bob arrested; they offered no other options. Having my husband arrested for domestic violence was a shame I simply could not inflict upon my children or my career.

Dr. Lenore Walker – Nationwide Expert on Domestic Violence – Defense for Seaman

Dr. Lenore Walker – Nationwide Expert on Domestic Violence

Taxpayers – It’s Your Money! Keeping battered women behind bars costs big bucks!

Do you know it costs Michigan taxpayers approximately $36,000 a year for my incarceration at Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility? Over $500,000 of taxpayer money has been spent over the past 14 years to incarcerate me. If I remain incarcerated until death as the Parole Board intends, the total cost to taxpayers for my incarceration

Release Kantzler! Former Oakland County Circuit Judges Barry Howard and Norman Lippitt Advocate to the Michigan Parole Board at Jackson Prison – October 12, 2017

When you think of a person or group of people advocating for the release of a prisoner, the sentencing judge isn’t the first person that comes to mind. In the case of Karen Kantzler, her own sentencing judge, Norman Lippitt, made two trips to the Michigan Parole Board to plea for her release from prison.

Advocacy Group for Karen Kantzler – Jackson Prison – October 12, 2017

Karen Babcock was described as a small town quiet, kind and reserved girl by several of her high school friends in attendance at her public hearing at Michigan’s Jackson Prison on October 12, 2017.  A group of people she had known for over 50 years came to advocate for her release from prison for the

Jenny Baka Commutation Denied March 30, 2018

Hi Kelle, It is amazing to hear that the postcard campaign was a success. It is truly amazing knowing how many people out there believe in the fight for justice concerning domestic violence. I cannot begin to thank you enough for all that you do. Thank you for emailing Nels Thompson’s letter to Governor Snyder,

Nels Thompson Letter to Gov. Rick Snyder – Jenny Baka Commutation

“I found Jenny to be respectful, sweet, and somewhat innocent. I researched her criminal report and we discussed at some length what happened. Because of my expertise in domestic violence, I quickly realized Jenny was not the responsible party for the horrible crime she was convicted of. I soon learned remorse and feelings of guilt

Seaman v Michigan US Supreme Court

Seaman v Michigan US Supreme Court

Circuit Judge Mester (retired) letter for Seaman commutation

Ms. Seaman’s trial occurred after the 1995 Supreme Court Ruling in People v. Crystal. Thus, her trial judge and the jury were prevented from hearing the full testimony of Dr. Lenore E. Walker, Ed. D.,a licensed psychologist and the foremost expert on Battered Women’s Syndrome. This testimony could have made a drastic difference in how

JTS 2018 Postcard Campaign – Clemency for Battered Women in Prison

JTS Postcard Campaign – Clemency in 2018

Seaman’s Letter to Gov. Rick Snyder for Commutation in 2018

N SEAMAN GOVERNOR LETTER

Justice in 2018 Letter Writing Campaign

Mich Women’s Justice & Clemency Jan

Nancy Seaman 2018 Commutation Support Letter

Nancy Seaman 2018 Commutation Support Letter

Op-Ed Clemency for Seaman by Kelle Lynn

OP-ed Clemency for Seaman by Kelle Lynn

US District Judge Bernard Friedman Letter to Governor Snyder – Clemency for Seaman

Judge Friedman – Clemency for Seaman Seaman’s federal judge overturned the verdict in 2010 saying she wasn’t allowed to fully develop a defense of battered-woman syndrome. “Reasonable efforts to argue his client’s case required defense counsel to attempt to introduce as much favorable testimony regarding battered-spouse syndrome as allowed. It was the defense’s only defense,”

Letter to the Parole Board – Clemency for Seaman

Letter to the Parole Board – Clemency for Seaman

“A Perfect Storm of Injustice” by Nancy Seaman

A Perfect Storm of Injustice – Seaman

Former Prison Psychologist Advocates for Woman’s Release From Prison

This powerful one minute video should get this woman released from prison after serving 30 years for defending her life against her abusive husband.

Former Bloomfield Hills Mayor Patricia Hardy Letter to Governor Snyder – Clemency for Seaman

Pat Hardy is a former Michigan Women’s Commissioner appointed by Governor John Engler and a Bloomfield Hills City Commissioner who has served twice as Mayor. She is also a strong advocate for Nancy Seaman in the form of film and numerous letters to Governor Snyder and the Parole Board. Pat visited Nancy Seaman at the

Trial Attorney Lawrence Kaluzny Letter to Parole Board – Clemency for Seaman

Excerpt from letter: “As a criminal defense attorney, and formerly as a prosecutor, I have handled over 8000 criminal cases, including over 100 murder cases and 600 trials. This is the first time in my career that I have written a letter to the Parole Board in support of a clemency petition. As a trial

Former Prison Psychologist Nels Thompson 2017 Letter to Governor Snyder – Clemency for Seaman

Excerpt of letter: “In regards to Nancy Seaman’s sentence of life without parole and current application for clemency, I would be happy to meet with the parole board and explain in detail why I believe the case of Nancy Seaman is different than what I have just stated and deserves an evalution with different information.

Former Judge Jack McDonald 2017 Letter to Governor Snyder – Clemency for Seaman

Former Michigan Governor Engler (1991-2003), well known for his “tough on crime” approach, appointed the Honorable Circuit Judge John “Jack” McDonald to the bench in Oakland County (Detroit suburb) where he served from 1993-2010. McDonald has always been a strong believer in the criminal justice system and presided over numerous first-degree murder cases with life sentences.

“Second Chances” written by Nancy Seaman

“A life sentence for a battered woman who killed her abuser to save her own life is the cruelest of all fates because she is now condemned to live the rest of her life in an even more abusive environment than the one from which she escaped.” Second Chances by Nancy Seaman

Jenny Baka – Domestic Violence led to Wrongful Conviction of Second Degree Murder

My name is Jenny. I am a survivor of three years of brutal domestic violence with a man I met right after my high school graduation. During that time, I survived broken bones, homelessness, days in the ICU and ultimately losing my own son. However, I am fortunate to be alive, since he killed two

“Dark Glasses” a poem for survivors of domestic violence written by Nancy Seaman

Dark Glasses She always wear dark glasses. A fashion statement? No!! Those glasses hide the blackened eyes, the broken heart, the pain deep in her soul. Behind those tinted glasses, She can hide the trail of tears, cloak her shame, escape the blame, conceal her deepest fears. Dark glasses are her armor to avoid judgmental

Cynthia’s Story – Aspen, Colorado – by Kelle Lynn

On a clear crisp sunny morning, with our coffee mugs side by side, Cynthia and I sat on the bar stools in her newly decorated kitchen overlooking the beautiful mountain landscape in Aspen, Colorado. With her long blonde hair, striking blue eyes, and stunning facial features, one could easily think she’s only known a life

“Behind Prison Walls” written by Nancy Seaman – April 2017

My name is Nancy Seaman and for 31-years of marriage I lived in the shadows as a battered woman with the shame of abuse as my closely guarded secret.  My husband was a good man with many admirable qualities, but there was this dark side to his personality, fueled by a smoldering rage just below