Marissa Alexander, the Florida woman who was sentenced to 20 years for firing a gun to scare her allegedly abusive husband, has been released from prison.
Alexander was released Wednesday and awaits a new trial after a judge ordered last month that her case be retried due to the jury’s incorrect directions.
The case gained the attention of civil rights leaders who said her sentence was too harsh, especially since no harm was done in the incident.
According to court documents filed in Duval County, Florida, Alexander is out on a pretrial release with special conditions and a $150,000 bond. She will be electronically monitored at all times and on house arrest until her case ends.
Supporters of The Free Marissa Now Mobilization Campaign, an initiative in support the mother of three, were excited about her release a day before Thanksgiving but recognize that there is still work to be done in court. “We do know this is temporary joy…This is a victory, but the battle’s not over yet. The battle will be won in court,” said Anthony Heard of Free Marissa Now.
“We’re all just happy that she’ll be home for Thanksgiving and Christmas, and we’re going to focus on that right now.”