Woman who faced 20 years for warning gunshot free, helping others

A local mother who fought a 20-year sentence for firing a warning shot at a wall during an argument with her estranged husband is now free as of last Thursday.

Marissa Alexander, 36, served time for three years and was on home detention for two more. The mother of three is now free and on a mission.

It was all smiles for Alexander this weekend as she celebrated with family and friends as a free woman. But this joy and relief came after years of sorrow and struggle. The 36-year-old was on trial on aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charge. Alexander argued she fired a warning shot to get away from an abusive spouse.

“At this time, she was looking at serving 20 years in prison for firing a warning shot to keep her estranged husband from killing her,” said Sumayya Coleman with the Free Marissa Now Coalition.

Alexander was released from jail in January 2015, before she started her house arrest. During her struggle with the criminal justice system, she relied on her faith.

“We had her back in all the way during this time,” said Annie Fields, pastor of Abundant Peace Ministries.

Her pastor and close friend, and the church community, stood behind the mother of three.

“And believe in God that one day she would be free,” says Fields.

“This is one of the happiest days of my life,” saidColeman, who works to help women in similar situations.

“We galvanize around the country, to address legislative policy, to look at the issues of domestic and sexual violence, specifically for the criminalization of victims of domestic and sexual violence,” Coleman said.

They are also hoping Alexander’s experience will be a voice for others.

“We are just elated, and I’m just looking forward to reading the rest of her book,” Fields said.

Cox Media Group