Judge denies Marissa Alexander new trial

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A Florida judge has denied a new trial for Marissa Alexander who gained national support claiming she stood her ground when she fired a warning shot into the air to stop her husband from attacking her. She is now facing a 20-year sentence.

Marissa Alexander denied a new trial

Alexander’s attorney, Kevin Cobbin, spent about 40 minutes arguing that limitations the court placed on testimony are hurting the case that could support Alexander’s claim of her husband’s reputation of abusing women.

Authorities say Alexander shot in the direction of 36-year-old Rico Gray in August 2010 during a dispute at their home while his two children were there.

However Alexander, who rejected an earlier plea deal, shares a story of abuse by her husband. She explains she was in fear of her life and the single shot she fired was a warning, never aimed directly at her husband. She wanted to get out the house.

The jury found her guilty of three counts of aggravated assault within 12 minutes of deliberation.

Despite two witnesses that came forward to testify about Gray’s purported violent behavior, the circuit judge denied Cobbins’ pleas for a new trial. Cobbin’s also argued that the court also erred in denying Alexander immunity in a Stand Your Ground hearing in July 2011.

The Florida ‘Stand Your Ground’ law has become the center of attention since unarmed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin was shot and killed by George Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch volunteer in Sanford.

Since Alexander denied a plea deal that would put her in jail for 3 years, she now faces a minimum of 20 years in prison.