On August 1, 2010, nine days after giving birth Marissa Alexander was attacked by her ex-husband Rico Gray. The Florida mother of three, Marissa fired a “warning shot” into the ceiling of her home in defense. No one was injured during the incident also evidence shows that Marissa fired the shot in the direction away from her family. During her attack Marissa “had no legal duty to retreat.” She believed the state would support her legal claim under Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” statutes. Marissa was condemned to a 20-year sentence under Florida’s 10-20-Life law. According to her attacker’s deposition that already listed a history of protective orders against him Mr. Gray admits to prior documented cases of domestic violence against Marissa that the courts never considered.



