ATLANTA — Mary Favors continues to confront the haunting memories of a life filled with domestic abuse, as she now serves time for killing her husband.
Her turbulent relationship featured multiple instances of violence, with her husband, Troy Favors, being convicted of abuse five times. In a fateful incident in April 2011, Troy’s aggressive behavior escalated as he shouted and attacked her, leading to a confrontation that would change everything.
As Troy stormed into their bedroom, Mary barricaded herself inside, using a string to secure the door. With a knife grasped tightly for protection, she pleaded with him to retreat. However, in a tragic turn, he lunged at her, prompting a life-altering moment where she fatally stabbed him.
“It happened so fast,” Mary, now 58, recounted from prison in Georgia. “I felt my life was at risk.”
Research from the Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence reveals that between 74% and 95% of women in prison have experienced domestic abuse or sexual violence. Many face trials where their experiences are overlooked, lacking opportunities to demonstrate how such trauma influenced their actions in self-defense.
Advocates assert that women, particularly those of color, often find their accounts disbelieved, leading to incarceration rather than support.
In a positive stride towards justice, the Georgia Survivor Justice Act is gaining momentum, passed by the state House with overwhelming bipartisan support and now awaiting Senate review. This legislation aims to facilitate early releases for survivors of abuse.
The proposed law would allow judges to reconsider sentences for incarcerated individuals whose crimes are linked to domestic abuse, broadening the evidence that can be introduced in court.
This bill aligns with a national movement towards reform. States like New York, California, Illinois, and Oklahoma have enacted laws designed to offer leniency to abuse survivors facing criminal charges. Missouri, Connecticut, and Massachusetts are also eyeing similar legislative action.
Facing potential life imprisonment on murder charges, Mary pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and was sentenced to 20 years, along with probation for possessing the knife. Many survivors like her serve lengthy sentences, some facing life in prison.
Rebecca Epstein of the Center on Gender Justice and Opportunity emphasizes the troubling intersection of victimization and criminalization, particularly for women.
Following her husband’s death, Mary moved his body, an act that complicates public perception and legal proceedings for many survivors, according to experts in domestic violence law.
Ellie Williams from the Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence notes that existing laws limit how domestic abuse evidence is presented in trials, a reflection of outdated views on abuse dynamics. Her efforts to reform these regulations highlight the need for a more nuanced understanding of these situations.
Under the new legislation, judges would be mandated to adjust sentences if familial or domestic violence influenced the crime, with a minimum sentencing guideline of 10 to 30 years for serious offenses.
For other felonies, the bill would limit sentences to half of the maximum potential punishment. Incarcerated individuals could also petition for resentencing as the bill progresses.
The act aims to empower courts in recognizing the role of domestic violence in self-defense and coercion cases—a crucial factor in many women’s stories.
While proponents of the bill promote its potential for justice, concerns remain. Some stakeholders, including district attorneys, express reservations about early releases for convicted individuals.
Favors, who once dreamed of a better life as she coped with her past, now aspires to work with victims of domestic violence. In prison, she achieved her high school diploma and engaged in educational programs related to abuse recovery. Seeking personal healing, she embraces spirituality and community service within the prison.
“I survived from my abuse,” Mary reflects. “I could have been the one that was dead.”
