Marissa Alexander Released From Jail to House Arrest

Marissa Alexander, the woman was sentenced to 20 years behind bars for firing a warning shot to scare off her abusive husband, has been released from jail to spend the remainder of her two year sentence on house arrest.

According to local Jacksonville News 4, Judge James Daniel rejected the prosecutors’ request for an additional two-year sentence. Applause erupted in the courtroom and once she was outside of the courthouse, Alexander read the following 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.”

In 2014, Alexander’s case showcased the unfairness of Florida’s Stand Your Ground law as well as the destructive trail of State Attorney Angela Corey, who pursued Alexander to the fullest extent of the law while failing to convict George Zimmerman and Michael Dunn, two men accused of killing black boys in public.