[Ppnews] Support Linda Lee Smith and Norma Cumpian - long-term California prisoners

[Political Prisoner News]

Greetings friends of Free Battered Women,

It is with deep sadness that I report that on July 3rd 2009, Governor 
Schwarzenegger released his decision to reverse the Board of Parole 
Hearings' decision to grant parole to survivor Carol Sue McInnis.

Carol Sue McInnis is a 70-year-old battered woman who has served 
nearly 20 years on a 15-to-life sentence for the death of her abusive 
and manipulative husband.  Ms. McInnis uses a wheelchair and an 
oxygen tank full-time. She is currently at the infirmary at Valley 
State Prison for Women and has been diagnosed with Congestive Heart 
Failure, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Diabetes.

Ms. McInnis had a stroke shortly after she was incarcerated and was 
declared medically disabled in 1992. Due to extensive medical 
limitations, vocation, education, and group therapy have been 
virtually impossible for her to participate in during her 
incarceration. Free Battered Women joins with Ms. McInnis and her 
supporters in grieving over the Governor's reversal. We remain 
committed to supporting Ms. McInnis' freedom.

Despite this devastating news we must continue to fight for the 
freedom of many other survivors whose cases will be up for review 
before the Governor in the next few months. We are hoping to help 
secure the release of two survivors Norma Cumpian and Linda Lee 
Smith, and we need your support.

Please take a moment to send a free fax to Governor Schwarzenegger 
at 
<http://www.freebatteredwomen.org/Alert_Norma.html>http://www.freebatteredwomen.org/Alert_Norma.html 
urging him to release incarcerated domestic violence survivor Norma 
Cumpian. Ms.Cumpian has spent 17 years at the California Institution 
for Women (CIW) on a 15-to-life sentence (plus a four year gun 
enhancement) for the death of her abusive boyfriend.  The Board of 
Parole Hearings found Ms. Cumpian suitable for parole and I urge you 
to support their decision to release her.

Ms.Cumpian is a 39-year-old woman who has had an exemplary 
disciplinary record while in prison.  She has used her time in prison 
to transform herself through support groups, study, work, and 
service. During her incarceration, Ms. Cumpian has displayed 
considerable leadership skills, as well as a commitment to 
self-improvement and support for others' growth.  She has been a 
leader within Convicted Women Against Abuse.

Please take a moment to send a free fax to Governor Schwarzenegger at 
<http://www.freebatteredwomen.org/Alert_Linda.html>http://www.freebatteredwomen.org/Alert_Linda.html 
urging him to release incarcerated domestic violence survivor Linda 
Lee Smith. In 1981, Ms. Smith was convicted of 2nd degree murder and 
sentenced to 15-years-to-life in connection with the death of her 
two-year-old daughter, Amy, who was beaten to death by her abusive 
boyfriend. Although the victim in Linda's case was not her abusive 
partner, the fact that she was a battered woman was significant in 
her inaction to stop the crime. Linda has been found suitable for 
parole by the Board of Parole Hearings  ten times since 1989. Each 
time, the Governor has reversed the Board's decision, despite the 
fact that Amy's father and sister (who witnessed the crime) support 
Linda's release.  Linda currently is in her 29th year in prison where 
she has remained disciplinary-free, earned a Bachelor's degree from 
the University of La Verne, and continues to work toward her Master 
of Theology degree from Fuller Theological Seminary.

Please add your voice to those calling for Ms. Cumpian's and Ms. 
Smith's freedom by sending the Governor a free fax at 
<http://www.freebatteredwomen.org/alerts.html>http://www.freebatteredwomen.org/alerts.html. 


Sincerely,
Emily

-- 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Emily Harris
Coordinator, Free Battered Women
1540 Market St., Suite 490
San Francisco, CA 94102
415.255.7036 x 304
<http://www.freebatteredwomen.org/>www.FreeBatteredWomen.org




Freedom Archives
522 Valencia Street
San Francisco, CA 94110

415 863-9977

www.Freedomarchives.org  
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