To the Editor:
Battered women, who faced "kill or be killed," are still suffering in Michigan prisons for extended terms after defending themselves from their abusing husband's intent to kill them. Most citizens of Michigan would be shocked to learn that until 1989 a husband could rape and batter his wife repeatedly without criminal penalty. That cultural attitude still persists in too many of our courts where the abused wife has been treated as a hardened criminal for killing to save herself and, in many cases, her children.
I have just published "I Killed Sam," a novel based on my defense of an abused wife who killed her psychotic husband in 1956 to save herself and their three-year-old daughter. Unfortunately, that case is still relevant since for years I have watched male-dominated courts, effectively disregarding abuse, fail to understand the battered wife is more victim than criminal.
I urge our governor and state parole board to investigate the 175 or so women in Michigan prisons currently serving long terms, including life, for defending themselves and their families. For in-depth studies of the issue, check my website, robertsteadman.net.
Sincerely,
Robert A. Steadman
Traverse City
