BYP 100’s Edward James, civil rights activists call for firing of Angela Corey
Edward James and other members of BYP 100 joined thousands of protesters on Tallahassee on Thursday.
The civil rights groups demanded justice for Marissa Alexander.
They’re hoping to get their voices heard to get rid of Angela Corey, the main prosecutor on the case.
Alexander’s case has gained national attention, after she fired a warning shot during an alleged domestic violence dispute with her husband. She initially claimed self-defense, but a judge said it didn’t apply. She was convicted under Florida’s 10-20-Life law and received a 20-year prison sentence.
She’s since served about two years of that sentence, but will now get a new trial in July—after there were some issues in her first trial. Now, Corey is pursuing a 60-year prison term, and Melissa Byrne says that’s wrong.
“While Marissa faces 60 years in prison for firing a warning shot, the killer of Trayvon Martin faces no time behind bars and the killer of Jordan Davis is facing minor punishment despite killing a teenager in cold blood. The case also demonstrates the failing of a justice system that lets survivors of domestic abuse fall through the cracks,” said Corey.
Alexander’s case has inspired a coalition of young activists to speak up against what they feel to be injustice at play. The birth of a measure nicknamed the “Warning shot” bill that legally allows someone to threaten the use of force if they believe they’re in danger is also a result of widespread attention to Alexander’s case.
The measure ‘s aim is to fix the unintended consequences of Florida’s 10-20-Life law, one that even the law’s author said wasn’t meant for the prosecution to use in self-defense cases.
Kudos to Edward James, BYP 100 and other civil rights groups for speaking up and speaking out!
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