Retrial sets abused wife free after 21 years in prison (CA)

[Kadie]

Retrial sets abused wife free
Modesto woman served 21 years in prison for killing husband in 1985

By MERRILL BALASSONE
BEE STAFF WRITER


Last Updated: June 1, 2006, 04:17:33 AM PDT


A Modesto woman who spent 21 years in prison after being accused of murdering her abusive husband in 1985 was acquitted of the crime by a Stanislaus County jury on Wednesday afternoon.

snip...
"I'll be so happy to have her back," said Orange's mother, 70-year-old Evelyn Johnwell. "It's overwhelming. She has a lot of grandchildren she's never met."

Orange was sentenced to 17 years to life after shooting her husband, Frank Orange, in 1985. After her first jury was unable to reach a verdict, she pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.

snip...
Abuse omitted from first trial

Orange's second trial began in Stanislaus County Superior Court about three weeks ago with Spiering telling jurors how seven years of abuse, including rape, pushed Orange to shoot her husband.

Spiering said Frank Orange terrorized his wife by locking her in the trunk of his car, raping her and training his pit bull to watch her every move.

more...
http://www.modbee.com/local/v-dp_morning/story/12259143p-12997256c.html

[Canuckistanian]

1. Why in the world did she plead guilty?

Even back in 1985, she could have fought for dismissal citing self-defense or mental impairment.

She must have had a pretty bad lawyer.