Marissa Alexander is a mother of three children (twins plus one), and is presently incarcerated at the Pretrial Detention Facility in Jacksonville, Florida which is located in Duval county. She currently awaits sentencing because she wanted to save her own life. Marissa was convicted by a jury of 6 on 3 counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon with no intent to harm. Marissa Alexander did not have a criminal record before this incident.  She was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment on 5/11/2012. Shortly thereafter Marissa gave a riveting interview on Our Common Ground, click here and hear her in her own voice along with her ex-husband and stepmother.

Marissa's husband has a documented history of violence and domestic abuse toward women. The history of Marissa Alexander and her husband includes an injunction for protection against violence and was active during August 2010. In a jealous rage, Marissa's husband violently confronted her while she used the bathroom.  She was assaulted, shoved, strangled and held against her will. She was prevented from escaping and was not able to obtain her cell phone to call 911.

Her husband was asked to leave repeatedly. He and his two sons (Marissa's stepsons), were supposed to have exited through the front door but, did not. Her husband entered the kitchen wich leads to the garage and saw that Marissa was unable to leave via the malfunctioning garage door. Her husband yelled "Bitch I will kill you!" and charged toward her. Marissa had retrieved her liscensed and registered gun which she owned for years before even meeting her husband – from her vehicle. She held the weapon in her right hand down by her side as he yelled, "Bitch I Will Kill You! And charged toward her. In fear and desperation, Marissa Alexander lifted her weapon, turned away and discharged a single shot in the  ceiling. As she stood her ground – that single shot prevented him from doing that which he had threatened. He ran out of the house where he contacted police and falsely reported that Marissa Alexander shot at him and his 2 sons. The police took Marissa Alexander into custody.

The state of Florida has a self-defense law which includes the right to Stand Your Ground. Marissa Alexander did not receive immunity under this law.

Alexander's husband admitted that he was the agressor, threatened her life and was so enraged that he did not know what he would do – this being under sworn statement in November of 2010.

Alexander's husband was arrested for domestic violence twice – once for abuse against Alexander. That attack landed Alexander in the hospital.

Organizations in support include Florida New Majority, Families Against Mandatory Minimums, Hurting Families With Children In Crime, Northside Community Involvement, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference-Jacksonville Chapter, local pastors, community residents and other organizations, as well as victims of domestic violence and those failed by the criminal justice system.

"It is important for the community to come together and show their support for Marissa Alexander." said Greg Newburn, Florida Director for Families Against Mandatory Minimums. "These events let our leaders know that we expect reform to prevent these kinds of injustices from occurring again."

Angie Nixon, Florida New Majority's North Florida Regional Coordinator stated, "A woman's right to protect herself, should not be on trial. Florida New Majority is calling for the release of Marissa Alexander."


For more information contact Angie Nixon at 904-610-7103 or angie@flnewmajority.org.

Visit Marissa Alexander's blog for her story in her own words

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