Oklahoma: New Law Justifies Domestic Violence Victims Who Killed Their Abusers

In Oklahoma, the new Oklahoma Survivors’ Act provides a new opportunity for survivors of domestic violence who have been convicted of crimes related to the abuse they suffered. Women who have suffered years of violence and abuse and were convicted of killing their abusers are now seeing their cases re-examined.

Lisa Moss was sentenced to life imprisonment for her involvement in the murder of her husband, who systematically abused her. After the implementation of the new law, she was released.

Similarly, April Wilkens was imprisoned for the murder of her partner, who abused her. Authorities had ignored her complaints for years. Tyesha Long was abused by her partner from the age of 17. When the police did not intervene, she killed him to protect herself and was convicted of manslaughter.

The new law allows for the review of such cases, where abuse was a significant factor leading to the crime.