National
Florida Mom Convicted for Firing Warning Shot Released from Prison
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Jan. 28 (UPI) — A Florida woman sentenced to 20 years in prison for firing a warning shot during a fight with her husband in 2010 was released Tuesday.
Marissa Alexander was convicted of aggravated assault in 2012 for firing what she called a warning shot toward her husband and his two children. Nine days after giving birth to her daughter, Alexander said she was assaulted and threatened by her estranged husband, Rico Gray.
Alexander’s lawyer tried to use the controversial “stand your ground” law in her defense, much like the lawyer for George Zimmerman, who was acquitted in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin.
Alexander was sentenced to 20 years in prison under the state’s so-called 10-20-life law. Under that law, a conviction for aggravated assault where a firearm has been discharged carries a mandatory 20-year sentence regardless of any extenuating circumstances.