Senator Regina Barrow (D) Baton Rouge
A bill aimed at giving women who are imprisoned for murdering their alleged abuser a chance to be released was heavily amended in the Senate. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow said the bill provides a justification defense for victims who end up killing their abuser, either through domestic violence, sexual abuse, or trafficking.
“This bill simply seeks to give individuals who find themselves trying to save their own life, justification to actually be able to provide that information to a judge,” said Barrow.
The amended bill removes the possibility of retroactive relief for those who are serving a prison sentence.
Louisiana ranks among the top five states for domestic violence.
Baton Rouge Senator Franklin Foil authored an amendment to the bill after opposition from the Louisiana District Attorneys Association. The amendment removed the possibility of retroactive relief for those who are serving a prison sentence. Foil says the legislation for example would allow for a prisoner to say they were abused as a child…
“And they commit a crime against some third party, they can then file for post-trial conviction relief and get that conviction overturned,” said Foil.
Barrow opposed the amendment and she reiterated to lawmakers that the bill would not suddenly allow abuse survivors to suddenly walk free.
“This is not a get-out-of-jail card. There’s a lot that has to transpire before an individual can get to this point,” said Barrow.
Proponents were hoping to create a law that would allow prison sentences of abuse victims to be re-evaluated.
Senate Bill 215 passed unopposed and heads to the House.
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