Projects

In early 2005, Free Battered Women surveyed the incarcerated survivors with whom we worked to determine our organizational priorities. Our top five priorities are:

Habeas | Volunteer | Media | Advocacy | Education

Advocacy: Parole Advocacy Project

Survivors | Upcoming CA Parole Hearings
Parole Trends | Supreme Court Decision

Summaries of Survivors Denied Parole

INTRO: The following survivors of abuse have been recommended for parole by the Board of Prison Terms. Most filed clemency petitions 12 years ago asking for mercy, but their pleas went unanswered by ex-Governor Wilson and then Gov. Davis. All have been incarcerated since the early to mid-1980s, before evidence of battering and its effects was formally recognized under California law. Thus, none of them were able to discuss in court how their crimes were committed as a direct result of the abuse and violence they faced.

Because they have long served the minimum amount of time required by law and do not pose a threat to public safety, they have each received parole dates from the Board of Prison Terms – but with few exceptions – their parole recommendations were reversed by Governor Davis.

Governor Schwarzenegger could grant them clemency at any time, or he could simply refrain from reversing each of these battered women’s parole when each gets their next parole recommendation.

• Number of lifer parole hearings held during Davis' term: 13,000-14,000 (for 6,000 lifers eligible for parole)
• Number of lifers recommended for parole by the Board of Prison Terms: 370 (294 convicted of murder as of Nov. 2003)
• Number of lifers allowed parole by Davis: 7
• Number of lifers whose parole was approved by Governor Schwarzenegger: 6 (including at least 2 battered women, one of whom had already been approved by Governor Davis)
• Number of lifers whose parole was reversed by Governor Schwarzenegger: 11 (including 1 woman convicted of killing her batterer)

BATTERED WOMEN WHOSE PAROLE RECOMMENDATIONS WERE REVERSED BY GOVERNOR DAVIS
(click on the underlined names to read their testimonies)

NORA ANDRADE-Nora has been in prison since 1987 for killing her batterer, who had abused her for 13 years. With the assistance of the California Coalition for Battered Women in Prison, she filed a clemency petition in 1992, but the governor's office never responded to it. She was recommended for parole in March 2000 by the Board of Prison Terms, but Davis reversed parole in October 2000. Nora was recommended for release by the BPT a second time, and in August 2003, Governor Davis again reversed her parole. Ms. Andrade’s file includes a letter from a juror, requesting her release.

GENEVIEVE "TOBY" YNINGUEZ-Toby was abused throughout her life, physically, emotionally, and sexually. She faced an abusive relationship for eight years before she killed her abuser. She has been in prison since 1984, and is now a sixty-six year old grandmother. With the assistance of the California Coalition for Battered Women in Prison, she filed a clemency petition 10 years ago, but the governor's office never responded to it. She has been recommended for parole twice on September 21, 2000 and September 19, 2001, and twice Gov. Davis has reversed his own parole board's decisions. Most recent date Davis denied her parole: February 13, 2002.

HENRIETTA BRIONES-Henrietta has been incarcerated since 1987 for a second-degree murder conviction for killing her abuser, who was literally twice her size (Henrietta was 5'2" and 115 pounds, while her abuser was 6'4" and 230 pounds.). With the assistance of the California Coalition for Battered Women in Prison (Free Battered Women), she filed a clemency petition in 1992, but the governor's office never responded to it. At her third subsequent hearing on September 20, 2001, she was found suitable for parole by the Board of Prison Terms. The trial judge, prosecuting District Attorney, prison psychiatrist, and parole board were all in support of Henrietta's release. Davis disagreed. Date Davis denied her parole: February 15, 2002.

VALERE BOYD-Valere was held at gunpoint by her abuser on July 27, 1985. He threatened to kill her, attempted, and almost succeeded. She was convicted of second-degree murder and was sentenced to 15 years to life plus a two-year enhancement for her use of a firearm. With the assistance of the California Coalition for Battered Women in Prison, she filed a clemency petition in 1992, but the governor's office never responded to it. At her parole board hearing on November 19, 2001, Valere was found suitable for parole. Davis reversed Valere's parole recommendation 8 days early on April 10, 2002, the same day he granted parole to Cheryl Sellers. His early decision was significant because (1) he never made early decisions and (2) doing so confirmed his overriding political concern to seem "tough on crime." Valere had another hearing July 30, 2003, where she was again recommended for parole. Governor Schwarzenegger reversed Valere's parole on December 22, 2003 (on the same date he approved Jeri Becker's parole).

MARY RAMP-After surviving 8 years of repeated rapes by her father and brother and then 12 years of battering by her ex-husband, Mary pled nolo contendere to conspiracy to commit second degree murder on June 20, 1988. With the assistance of the California Coalition for Battered Women in Prison (Free Battered Women), she filed a clemency petition in 1992, but the governor's office never responded to it. Mary was recommended for parole on March 4, 2002. Date Davis denied her parole: Aug 1, 2002.

FLOZELLE WOODMORE-Flozelle pled guilty to second degree murder on May 21, 1987 for the death of her boyfriend Clifton Morrow. During the course of their relationship, Clifton stabbed Flozelle, pushed her down a flight of stairs, forced her to have an abortion, repeatedly beat and threatened to kill her, and emotionally abused her in any way possible. Flozelle has been incarcerated since 1987, when she was only eighteen years old. With the assistance of the California Coalition for Battered Women in Prison (Free Battered Women), she submitted a clemency petition in 1992, but the governor's office never bothered to respond to it. After her 4th parole hearing on March 5, 2002, Flozelle was recommended for parole and had a chance to go free. Date Davis denied her parole: Aug 2, 2002. On April 14, 2003, Flozelle was once again recommended for parole. Governor Davis again reversed her parole date on September 10, 2003.

JEANETTE CRAWFORD- Jeanette was one of only 3 abused women granted clemency who was assisted 10 years ago by the California Coalition for Battered Women in Prison (Free Battered Women). As a result, her sentence was reduced from 25-to-life to 20-to-life. She was previously recommended for parole, but Davis took away her date on February 21, 2001. On March 12, 2002, she received her second recommendation for parole, but Davis reversed it for the second time. She has been incarcerated since 1982. Most recent date Davis denied parole: August 8, 2002.

CAROLINE ANDERSON-Caroline has been incarcerated since September 20, 1982. Like others, she was not allowed to bring up her history of domestic violence as a defense for the killing of her abuser. With the assistance of the California Coalition for Battered Women in Prison (Free Battered Women), she filed a clemency petition in 1992 but the governor's office never bothered to respond to it. She was granted parole after her hearing on May 20, 2002. Date Davis reversed parole: October 17, 2002.

OLLIE JOHNSON- Ollie was sentenced to 15 years to life for killing her batterer. In 1992 she submitted a clemency petition with ex-Governor Wilson, but she never received a response from either Wilson or Davis. She has been in prison since 1987. Ollie received a parole recommendation on Sept. 18, 2002. Date Davis denied her parole: February 14, 2003 (Valentine's Day).

BATTERED WOMEN GRANTED PAROLE BY DAVIS

ROSE ANN PARKER-Rose Ann was convicted of second-degree murder in 1986 for killing her boyfriend. He had threatened to kill her and her two-year old son. After being held at gunpoint by her boyfriend, she picked up a gun a shot him. Rose Ann was released in December 2000.

CHERYL SELLERS- Cheryl is one of only seven life-term prisoners that Governor Davis found suitable for parole. Despite having a history of severe abuse and no prior criminal record, Cheryl was convicted of first degree murder in 1985. Amidst mounting pressure to approve parole decisions, on April 10, 2002, Davis finally granted parole to Cheryl, who had the support of the Legislative Women's Caucus of the California state legislature as well as other influential senators. In her own words, Cheryl "was really blown away by his decision." To other survivors, she had this to say: "Each of us are individuals. The only one who can own you is yourself. Do not give that right away." Cheryl was released in June 2003.

MARIA SUAREZ-Maria was 16 when she left rural Mexico and was sold for $200 in 1976 to Anselmo Covarrubias, who sexually and physically abused her for five years. When a neighbor killed Covarrubias, Maria was charged with conspiracy and sentenced to life in prison on July 16, 1982, at age 21. Maria spent literally half her life in prison and will never know what it's like to be a mother. When Maria was found suitable for parole after her hearing on January 24, 2002, Governor Davis reversed parole, stating that the 21 year old Suarez, "acted not just because she was battered, but that she was motivated by jealousy, fear and greed" of her 73-year-old batterer. Davis denied her parole on June 20, 2002. On April 4, 2003, Governor Davis approved parole for Maria Suarez, who was in prison for 22 years. Davis originally gave her a release date of March 11, 2004. She was released early by Governor Schwarzenegger in December 2003, only to face deportation proceedings.

BATTERED WOMEN PAROLED BY SCHWARZENEGGER

ROSARIO MUNOZ-Rosario was sentenced to 15 years to life as a plea bargain when sentenced on February 28, 1989. At the time, she could not speak English and simply followed orders from her attorney, who told her that he "would not be surprised if she received the gas chamber." There were never any appeals or writs filed on her behalf. She is now in her forties with three children. She was originally recommended for parole in January 2002, but the parole board made her redo the hearing on July 2 because the tape was inaudible. Then she had to wait another 4 months for Davis to tell her that she “has not served sufficient time in prison and continues to pose too great a risk to public safety”. Date Davis reversed her parole: Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2002 (the day before Thanksgiving). A year later, Governor Schwarzenegger approved her parole on November 26, 2003. Rosario now faces deportation to Mexico.

BATTERED WOMEN RELEASED THROUGH THE HABEAS PROJECT

MARVA WALLACE-Marva was from 1984-2002. With the assistance of the California Coalition for Battered Women in Prison (Free Battered Women), she filed a clemency petition in 1992, but the governor's office never responded to it. She received a recommendation for parole in 2000, but it was reversed by Governor Davis. On May 22, 2002, she received another recommendation for parole. Davis again denied her parole: October 18, 2002. Marva was the first woman to be released from prison due to the efforts of our Habeas Project, after serving 17 years in prison. She was released in October 2002.

SUSAN DEERING- Susan was sentenced to 15-years-to-life for killing her abuser, who was 34 years old when she met him at age 18. Her sentencing judge has written letters of support for her release since 1993. Susan was in prison from 1980-2002, and was recommended for parole in September 2002. Her case was scheduled to be heard by Gov. Davis in February 27, 2003. However, due to the efforts of our Habeas Project, Susan was released from prison before Davis had a chance to reverse her parole. After 23 years in prison, Susan was finally a free woman by Christmas 2002.

Last updated: Jan. 14, 2004

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