Alexander is still on house arrest and must wear GPS ankle monitor
The woman who helped bring national attention to Florida’s Stand Your Ground and minimum sentencing laws, has been released from prison.
Marissa Alexander was released from prison late Tuesday evening after spending 1,095 days fighting for her freedom. She will spend the rest of her sentence on house arrest wearing a GPS ankle monitor. Alexander will not be able to leave her home except to attend work, church, visiting her children’s school, job interviews, family medical and dental appointments. Anything else she wants to do will need a judge’s permission.
It all started August 2010, just nine days after giving birth to her daughter, Marissa was assaulted and threatened by her estranged husband, Rico Gray. She went to her garage to grab a gun and when she returned, she fired a shot in the direction of Gray, who was with his two sons. Alexander has said on record that it was a warning shot, however, the jury didn’t agree. The 36 year old mother of three was convicted on three counts of aggravated armed assault and under Florida’s minimum sentencing firearm guidelines, Alexander was ordered to serve 20 years. That conviction was overturned on an appeal, which had Marissa facing a retrial. She accepted a plea deal that would release her from prison and and serve the rest of her time on house arrest.
When released from the courthouse, Marissa read a prepared statement:
Today, after the sentence given by Judge Daniel, my family and I will be able to move on with our lives. Although the journey has been long and there’s been many difficult moments, I could not have arrived here, where I am today, without the thoughts, many thoughts and many prayers of so many people who voiced their support and encouragement. Words can never express my gratitude for those who stood beside me, including my children and family. I am also grateful that Judge Daniel approached this case with such care and diligence.
The end of Alexander’s statement spoke on her plans for the future with her children and education being the center of her goals:
I look forward to the full-time challenge of getting my two teenagers through high school and into college, as well we preparing my 4-year-old daughter for nursery school. My goal is to continue my education beyond my master’s degree and to continue my professional career. Also, I will continue to learn lessons from the events of the past, but I will not live in the past. At the age of 34, life is too short and there’s too much I have to accomplish in the years ahead. It’s my hope and prayer that everyone associated with this case will be able to move on with their lives.
-Sara D.(@evolaras4real)
