Exclusive Interview: The Trial, Emancipation, and Liberation of Marissa Alexander

In the most wrenching, honorable way possible, Marissa Alexander has been liberated. She is now out of the woods, speaking her mind and fighting for human rights.

In one of her first recent interviews since being released, Marissa acknowledged that in May 2012, a then 31-year-old Marissa Alexander was prosecuted for aggravated assault with a lethal weapon and received a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in prison. Alexander merely fired a warning shot after her husband attacked her and who threatened to kill her on August 1, 2010, in Jacksonville, Florida.

At the end of a lengthy public trial in a Florida courtroom and after emotional testimony from Alexander's parents, sister, brother and 11-year-old daughter at the sentencing hearing, Judge James Daniel sentenced Alexander to 20 years without parole. Daniel said he had no leniency under Florida's "10-20-life" law that requires someone convicted of firing a handgun during the commission of a felony to serve 20 years. Most of the case observers were surprised because Marissa’s conviction came from the jury so swiftly (in a record twelve minutes).

Asserting that she acted in self-defense and was within the bounds of the law, Marissa rejected a initial plea offer and took her case to trial. The ordeal was long and lasted well over three years.

Marissa was finally released on January 27, 2015, under a plea deal that capped her sentence to the three years, which she had already served and after a draining public battle which for many- the outcome had been “so devastating.”

After 3 years behind bars and 2 years of house detention, Marissa Alexander was finally released from state confinement-a statement from the Free Marissa Now campaign at the time read. “Marissa Alexander has been punished for over 5 years for defending her life from a domestic violence attack threatening her life nine days after she gave birth.”

There were extremely low days, almost to the point of suicidal, and there [were] days when I would feel the light and I would hang on to that. Having no other ties to the state of Florida and being able to progress forward is a nice full-circle point. There are so many other Marissas out there and on my worst day I say to myself “There’s 2.2 million people in prison right now, you can’t have a bad day.” Marissa said in a recent interview.

Also, “I know what helped me though through this situation was my faith in God and my resolve. I had made up my mind that, yes, I was going to get out, and, yes, I prayed that I was going to go home and was going to see my children, ” Marissa said- They (family) and Marissa’s upbringing had helped her mentally rally around and deal with her imprisonment in a rather amazing way.”

When I asked about her estranged husband Rico Gray, Marissa now says, “As a person, I’m O.K with him.” she went on to say. “he (Rico) is the father of my child, and I’ve moved on with my life.” Marissa does not want to upset the family balance and for the sake of the children, she chooses to maintain a civil relationship.

Marissa spoke to me for more than 45 minutes over the phone on this past Friday and she seemed relaxed and comfortable, much less guarded than one would assume considering the past dealings of a trail and long ordeal.

I must add-I’ve known about Marissa's case for many years, and I believe during the trial she was always monumentally careful in her language — a natural impulse when critics are circling, but it had not diminished but only added to her authenticity. During our conversation, Marissa's prudence came across as extremely “sincere."

One notable- that many people didn't realize about Alexander is she comes from a military family, Marissa is well educated with having earned an MBA. Alexander had no previous criminal record or arrests, sought self-defense immunity prior to trial but was unsuccessful.

Initially, Florida States Attorney Angela Corey (pictured, below) met with Marissa and offered her a three-year plea deal. For the record-Corey was highly criticized for her handling of Marissa's case by Democratic Florida Congresswoman Corrine Brown, Jessie Jackson and many others who argued that Corey overcharged Alexander and the result of they viewed Alexander's case was a consequence of institutional racism.

Although local controversy had followed Angela Corey through much of her tenure as Florida State Attorney. She was elected in 2008 and re-elected in 2012. Corey first gained national attention when Gov. Rick Scott appointed her as special prosecutor to investigate the case in the 2012 death of Trayvon Martin.

To many Angela Corey was considered the "Cruelest," Prosecutor in America? The same woman who also failed to convict Trayvon Martin’s killer is alleged and recorded as putting hundreds of kids in prison, and dozens of people on death row. As a result, many watchers believe Corey lost her 2016 Florida bid for reelection.

Most would say “certainly misogyny also played a role,” in Marissa's trial, most observers believe what we mean by ‘misogyny,’ is the dislike or ingrained prejudice against women, contempt for them. “I must say when it comes to prosecution of African American defendants in general in many courts across America, you come in and being black you automatically have a 20 year sentence.” "We (African American community) have to pay more attention," Marissa said.

To Marissa's point-decades of research have shown that the criminal courts sentence black defendants more harshly than whites. But a striking new investigation of sentencing disparities in Florida by The Sarasota Herald-Tribune expands our understanding of this problem in two important ways;

A growing segment of the African American Public agree that blacks and even of black women fall victim to the court's usage of harsh public laws like Florida's stand your ground and drug sentences:

Many of us are now convinced, we are now living in a society that is run by corruption, injustice, surrounded by waywardness but not without hope, not without a fight, not without spirit and truth. So we must continue to fight for change and retribution, equality and protection said, Anita Hall, Administator of the New York Social Justice Underground Network.

Advocacy Role

Her past struggle has not stopped Marissa from coming out and registering her support for the female Independence struggle. Now, engaged as a full-fledged advocate-Marissa now spends time around to country protesting and speaking for women's rights. Marissa as an activist has continued the call for full-fledged equality from voting rights to fair treatment in the courtroom.

Marissa is now working on a book and also organizing her foundation-The Marissa Alexander Justice Project (find it on Facebook)-her team and organization are already reaching to work toward American Criminal Justice Reform, women’s rights issues, community improvement issues, as well as public safety.

Yes, indeed it's true-Marissa is now a sincere African-American criminal justice system abolitionist and women's civil rights activist. Outside of that Marissa is focused on being a mother.

I asked Marissa what advice she would offer the countless young women who have been galvanized and faced with harsh imprisonment — my question, "what would you tell those who are going through similar issues, when it comes to false or harsh imprisonment and give advice how to deal with the new found civil unrest in America?

"You must be informed, most people have no form of reference," Marissa urges "get involved, go to community meetings." Marissa also stated, " half of the people don't even know where to go to for services." “Toughen up your skin,” she counseled, referring to the nastiness system often directed at women, who have high profile cases. “Be ready. It’s not easy, but it feels painful, especially at the time it happens to you.” “I am passionate about the unfinished business of my ordeal,” she said, now ready, willing and more the able to fight for “the rights and opportunities for women and girls.”

She (Marissa) seemingly savored the question. “Yes,” Marissa said, I believe while smiling, “That one of the high points of the ordeal is that fact that now she can look back and laugh that she made it 'through it all.” Many of us look forward to the next chapter in Marissa's life-because she is by all standards, “A winner and a true American Hero.” (glg)

For more information and contact on Marissa goto the Website: MarissaAlexander.org

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Gregg L. Greer a Public Speaker, Minister, Social Activist, Economist, and the Editor of the One World internet journal. Greer is the Founder of Freedom First International-if you are interested in interviews from his and others of the brightest minds today, you can email him at oneworldtoday@gmail.com His website is www.gregglgreer.com