Marissa Alexander’s Case Inspires Changes To Florida’s Stand Your Ground Law

Marissa Alexander’s case, a woman who was once convicted, sentenced to 20 years in jail, and then the verdict overturned, has inspired changes to Florida’s Stand Your Ground Law.

Marissa Alexander’s case

Alexander fired a warning shot in the air to stop her abusive husband, who she thought was trying to attack her. During trial, Alexander testified that her then-husband, Rico Gray Sr., questioned her fidelity and the paternity of her 1-week-old child. She claimed that he broke through a bathroom door that she had locked and grabbed her by the neck. She said she tried to push past him but he shoved her into the door, prompting a struggle.

Afterwards, Alexander claimed that she ran to the garage and tried to leave but was unable to open the garage door, so she retrieved a gun, which she legally owned.

Once inside, she claimed, her husband saw the gun and charged at her “in a rage” saying, “I’ll kill you.” She said she raised the gun and fired a warning shot into the air to scare him off, rather than hurt him.

The jury rejected Alexander’s claims of self-defense, and said the “Stand Your Ground” law didn’t apply to her because she had not been harmed in the struggle.

Her verdict sparked outrage nationally, with many citing the case was racially bias. Alexander’s case was during the highly publicize George Zimmerman trial/verdict.

Her lawyer appealed the verdict and later won a new trial date.

Florida Governor Rick Scott signed new guidelines into law Friday, inspired by Alexander’s case, ABC News reported. The law allows Florida residents who threaten to use a gun or who fire a warning shot to protect themselves the chance to avoid criminal prosecution.

Unfortunately the law won’t cover cases from the past but her defense team stated they were still grateful for the governor”s decision.

“We are of course grateful for the governor’s actions,” read a statement from Alexander’s legal team.