Life Without Parole Is Not The Answer
Published August 25, 2009 @ 05:45PM PT
Human Trafficking blogger Amanda Kloer has the story today of Sara Kruzan, who was sentenced to life without parole ten years ago in California for killing her abusive pimp when she was 16. She was forced to work as a child prostitute for three years, and she finally retaliated, killing the man who had controlled her and raped her regularly since she was 13.
Her case is a clear example of our horribly misguided (and overused) life without parole sentences for juveniles. Not only was she young and abused when she was sentenced to LWOP, but she killed a man who abused her for years – possibly making it a case of battered person syndrome.
Both her age at the time of the crime and the suffering she had endured should have qualified her for a more reasonable sentence.
And like many people in prison – and especially those sent away as kids – she has changed behind bars and feels that spending the rest of life locked up would be a terrible waste.
“I have a lot of good to offer,” she says in a heartbreaking video interview from prison (watch it after the jump). “The person who I am today at 29, I could set a positive example. I’m very determined to show that no matter what you’ve done, or where you’ve come from, or what you’ve experienced in life, it’s up to you to change,”
The U.S. is virtually alone in sentencing any juveniles to life without parole, let alone those like Kruzan who clearly deserve compassion. We have nearly 2,500 prisoners serving life without parole for crimes committed as juveniles – while the rest of the world has only 12 total. (Israel has seven, South Africa has four and Tanzania has one).
The devastating YouTube interview with Sarah is below, and Amanda’s post on this devastating case from a human trafficking perspective is here.
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Comments (29)
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Author
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Matt has worked and volunteered in various capacities in criminal justice reform for several years. When he's not blogging, he works as the Online Communications Manager at the Innocence Project. Views expressed here are Matt's, and don't represent the positions of the Innocence Project.
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Has anyone started a petition yet to send to the state to reduce her sentence? I know sometimes that has worked in the past to get prisoners paroled or their sentences reduced.
I think it's wrong to sentence any juvenile to LWOP. And especially in this case, this was obviously a case where if the abuse and rape were weighed in as factors at the sentencing, along with the young age of the girl accused, the judge should have handed her a lesser sentence. Or it should have been appealed. This to me is just another aberration of justice! Very sad.
Posted by Danielle Kelly on 08/25/2009 @ 08:22PM PT
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Please click on this link to sign the petition.. thank you.. http://criminaljustice.change.org/actions/view/support_freedom_of_trafficking_victim_sara_kruzan_2
Posted by Kim Deanne on 10/02/2009 @ 01:46AM PT
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Hi Danielle,
There are 2 petitions being signed.. Please visit WWW.FREESARAKRUZAN.ORG to become a memeber and sign the petition and receive the latest news and updates regarding Sara and her case.
Posted by Kim Deanne on 11/22/2009 @ 03:45AM PT
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This is a terrible story of injustice against children. I urge people to also visit and sign our petition on Change.org to support the release of another juvenile who was sentenced to life without parole for a crime he did not even commit. The petition is available at http://tinyurl.com/FreeEPJ. The petition opposes juvenile life without parole sentences and urges the Governor to release Efrén Paredes, Jr. Please visit the petition and invite others to do the same and help us take us a stand against these deplorable sentences against youth.
Posted by Velia Koppenhoefer on 08/26/2009 @ 05:05AM PT
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IM WITH YOU(PERSON BELOW) IS THERE A PETITION TO REDUCE OR CHANGE HER SENTENCE???
Posted by Maribel Martinez on 08/31/2009 @ 08:48AM PT
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Please click on the following link to sign the petition..thank you so much for your support.
http://criminaljustice.change.org/actions/view/support_freedom_of_trafficking_victim_sara_kruzan_2
Posted by Kim Deanne on 10/02/2009 @ 01:47AM PT
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WWW.FREESARAKRUZAN.ORG
YOU CAN SIGN THE PETITION THERE. YOU WILL ALSO BE ABLE TO GET THE LATEST UPDATES AND INFORMATION REGARDING SARA AND HER CASE
Posted by Kim Deanne on 11/22/2009 @ 03:48AM PT
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Let's put it this way...I have a test, and it is proving (proven), and will continue to prove and support my ideas of hatred against one another that man has - for other men, women, children, animals, (you name it)! So, my theory is we put all of these innocent people in jails and prisons, sit back and look at all of you NOT in jails and prisons, look at your responses, print them out, from websites such as these - and then is when we really go to work, and profile you people and your hatred, murderous lies, and chilling words of EVIL.
Thank You.
Ms.Bland
Posted by Jennifer Bland on 09/05/2009 @ 02:23AM PT
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NO, their should not be life without parole, nor the death sentence - penalty.
Cruel evil world.
Everyone is entitled to by the rights of God to be forgiven, to be shown Mercy, and given the "equal" opportunity to be rehabilitated back into society, and given back their God given right to Freedom. *Read The Holy Bible - Chapters that explain about how people that ARE "Evil", God will take care of them and their punishment, and he says "I'll be the JUDGE of that". - So we ourselves in the first place have NO AUTHORITY to JUDGE, nor SENTENCE anyone or anything to a CAGE - BEHIND BARS - in a JAIL or PRISON for any length of term, only to get them help - say for example it is the same "principal" as going to the Hospital to get help - you recover, you go home. Same with JAIL and PRISON, you Rehabilitate, you go home. The true evil lies behind the bench of the judge, the attorneys from the states (independant) that convict, and the juries that take in their own hands the power that only God has the power to make those decisions, do you see where I'm coming from? God is using right now as we speak, inmates (Gods Children) to be "subjected" into FALSE JUDGEMENT by FALSE PROPHETS - that "claim" that "THEY" have the authority of God.
You wait and see if inmates ARE the Children of God, and in The Holy Bible (King James Version) - turn to Hebrews 13:3, and that is where we as "advocates" "supporters" of inmates come into the picture as well, these are the people that will inheirt the Kingdom of God, not the fat bald head judge behind the desk with the black robe saying all rise.
It is written in The Holy Bible, read the entire book, and if you use your Scriptures for reference you will see - this is what God is doing.
Posted by Jennifer Bland on 09/05/2009 @ 02:34AM PT
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Sara Kruzan. A human being who, through no fault of hers, fell through society's cracks . . . and now, having had the courage to break through her bondage . . . has been further abused by the 'system' which we erronously term "justice" in this country. Nauseating. I cannot find the petition which I know must exist regarding this case; and where is a law firm which will take on this child's life as one of their 'pro bono' causes? Someone, somewhere, has to do something about this. What do we do now?
Posted by Suzanne Lea on 09/13/2009 @ 11:38AM PT
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Please click on the following link to sign the petition..thank you so much for your support.
http://criminaljustice.change.org/actions/view/support_freedom_of_trafficking_victim_sara_kruzan_2
Posted by Kim Deanne on 10/02/2009 @ 01:48AM PT
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WWW.FREESARAKRUZAN.ORG
YOU CAN SIGN THE PETITION THERE. YOU WILL ALSO BE ABLE TO GET THE LATEST UPDATES AND INFORMATION REGARDING SARA AND HER CASE. SARA CURRENTLY HAS A TEAM OF PRO BONO ATTORNEY'S WORKING VERY HARD ON HER CASE.
Posted by Kim Deanne on 11/22/2009 @ 03:50AM PT
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Sara Kruzan. A human being who, through no fault of hers, fell through society's cracks . . . and now, having had the courage to break through her bondage . . . has been further abused by the 'system' which we erronously term "justice" in this country. Nauseating. I cannot find the petition which I know must exist regarding this case; and where is a law firm which will take on this child's life as one of their 'pro bono' causes? Someone, somewhere, has to do something about this. What do we do now?
Posted by Suzanne Lea on 09/13/2009 @ 11:38AM PT
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I would like to know the number of the case for SARAH KRUZAN, where it was heard, and in what court. Thank you. Please email information to yumnahagubael@aol.com
Peace,
Yumnah Aguba-El
Posted by Yumnah Aguba-El on 09/16/2009 @ 11:08AM PT
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If anybody has an idea of how i could find out what prison Sara is in so i could write to her to offer my support i would be very greatful. Please email sophie_pwll@yahoo.co.uk
Thank you
Sophie Powell
Posted by sophie powell on 09/18/2009 @ 12:48PM PT
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Please click on the following link to sign the petition..thank you so much for your support.
http://criminaljustice.change.org/actions/view/support_freedom_of_trafficking_victim_sara_kruzan_2
Posted by Kim Deanne on 10/02/2009 @ 01:49AM PT
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I know this girl right now. She is nothing like the horrible past she grew up in. She is a genuine, caring person that wants to be better and wants to make a difference in this world. She really does and I beleive in her 100%. All of you who support Sara Kruzan are without a doubt making a great decision and are supporting someone who deserves it and wants to move on from her awful past. She is an excellent role model and will make a difference in society when she leaves prison. I have worked in corrections many years and this is the first person I completely beleive in.
Posted by Ruthie Brown on 09/21/2009 @ 08:10PM PT
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Please click on the following link to sign the petition..thank you so much for your support.
http://criminaljustice.change.org/actions/view/support_freedom_of_trafficking_victim_sara_kruzan_2
Posted by Kim Deanne on 10/02/2009 @ 01:50AM PT
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Wow! I would love to speak to Sara. Do you know if Sara is able to use the phone and make collect calls? I have told people that we should get Russell Simmons involved in this fight. He knows how to organize these types of fights. We need to free Sara Kruzan. I live in Miami, Florida. I desperately want to do something to help. This poor girl does not belong in prison any longer. If she ever gets out I know she will be a SUPERSTAR in what ever she does. How do I go about getting in touch with her through the phone? You can call me at 305-873-4724. My name is Anthony.
Posted by Anthony Hernandez on 10/02/2009 @ 04:17PM PT
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Ruthie Brown is there a way we can get into contact with Sara Kruzan? I have been trying my hardest to try to get into contact with her. Can you email me at Anthonywor@gmail.com Thanks!
Posted by Anthony Hernandez on 10/24/2009 @ 04:32PM PT
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This poor girl was abused by her mother and then the system. With it all she seems like a lovely, caring human being who realises she has done something wrong and that she should be punished....but not for life.
I personally don't think she should have been punished.
The mother has more to answer for than Sara. If I understand correctly she is now 26....she has more than paid for her crime.
Time to give her life back.
Sign the petition.
Diane Agussol
Posted by Diane Agussol on 09/21/2009 @ 08:34PM PT
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I have do some reseach in the case. The prosecuting attorney that handled her case was Tmothy Freer. He is now a judge with the Riverside Co Superior Court in Muretta California. If you wanna leave a message showing your displeasure in this sentence that he pursued you can reach him through the secretary, Tiffany. The phone number is (951)304-5300
Posted by John R on 09/22/2009 @ 03:15PM PT
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Please click on the following link to sign the petition..thank you so much for your support.
http://criminaljustice.change.org/actions/view/support_freedom_of_trafficking_victim_sara_kruzan_2
Posted by Kim Deanne on 10/02/2009 @ 01:49AM PT
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how can we get intouch with Sarah? I would like to write to her.
Posted by Anthony Hernandez on 09/23/2009 @ 03:35AM PT
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Sara is like a sister to me. She is my friend. People who support who are making the best desicion to do so. She is a great, intelligent human being who has grown so much since this has happened. I know that one day she will be released thanks to your support.
Posted by Kim Deanne on 09/28/2009 @ 02:31AM PT
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When I saw that video first on Globalgrind.com my heart fell to the fall. I could not believe what Sara has gone through and then to get life with out parole plus four years. Our justice system needs to be revamped. How are we taking this young girl at the age of 16 and giving her this type of punishment. I can not believe that did not take all she has went through into consideration. I am in Miami. She makes me want to fly out to California and meet with her. Does anybody know what prison she is in, and can she receive visitors? Can you back to me at 305-873-4724 my name is Anthony. God Bless!! Sara will always be in my prayers now. I want to do my part to help Sara.
Posted by Anthony Hernandez on 10/02/2009 @ 04:23PM PT
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This video truly makes me work harder has a youth. My goal is to detour youth away from crime and to provide them with the encourage and support of a positive adult role model through mentoring groups
Posted by Mona Ellis on 10/02/2009 @ 01:38PM PT
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The injustice that was done to this child(I know that she is 29 nowbut that was taken away from her) by her mother and this man is unspeakable. The system that suppose to protectour children fail this girl. What have we become when we can take our children and put them away for life with out trying to help them? My heart goes out to her as a mother with children. Abundant by a mother on drugs, abuse and violated by pimp and let down by a system that such have protected her. My heart is heavy. Sara my prayers are with you and God will see you through this. Hang on to your faith. God bless you my child. I would like to write to her and sign the petition.
Posted by Faimetta Thompson on 11/04/2009 @ 06:07PM PT
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I agree that she should be eligible for parole. I also agree that she should be punished - this isn't a script, not a movie, you can't just kill someone, the police wouldn't be allowed to kill him if they caught him mid-rape. If the case were such that he was raping her, she defended herself, was able to wound him to where he was immobilized and no longer harming her, if she continued and killed him... that is a separate issue from self-defense. But, emotionally, I must say it is satisfying to imagine her getting this revenge.
I have checked the other blog, linked in the first few sentences of the first paragraph of this blog, and neither elucidate how she actually killed this person. That is vital in sentencing.
Amongst everyone who has commented on both of these, the only other person to take a direct interest in the actual event that has put her in prison (the murder) is Yumnah Aguba-El, who asked for the information above.
For everyone's sake, look for holes in the stories you're given so your opinion is based on the crux of the story, and not spend time arguing about emotional tangents like how one feels about abuse, prostitution, etc. This is about murder.
Posted by Plausible Clause on 11/10/2009 @ 08:12AM PT
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