Strengthen Our Sisters • Leisa Pyatt Story continued

Sandra Ramos, founder of the first shelter for battered women in North America and currently executive director of Strengthen Our Sisters shelter for battered women in Passaic County, is often called upon as an expert witness in domestic violence cases. In 1998, after Leisa saw a TV program profiling Sandra's work, she contacted her, told her what happened and asked for help. "We read the entire transcript of her trial, met with Leisa, her parents and grandparents, before getting involved" Ramos explained, and added, "In the 35 years I have been advocating for victims of domestic violence, I have learned much and there is no doubt in my mind that Leisa Pyatt was a victim of abuse and only defended herself when her child was threatened -- as is often the case with battered women. I am also convinced that if Leisa and her family had money for an experienced attorney, she never would have received a 40 year sentence."

Ramos, along with several others have organized Justice for Mothers and Children (JMC) to provide support for Leisa while in prison, and to help her with her clemency appeal.

Chairman and Founder of the New Jersey based Evergreen Philanthropic Foundation John Ignozza, has been following Leisa's case for several years. He said, " I cannot comprehend that our legal system has allowed such blind injustice in the case of Leisa Pyatt, who acted in self-defense while protecting her child. No judge has ever taken the time to really examine this case – 40 years for doing what any mother would or should have done is the real crime."

Anna Marie Tait, director of Strengthen Our Sisters' self-help legal clinic and member of JMC, commented, "It is important to note that the domestic violence laws have changed since Leisa's trial. Today she would have been considered a hero for saving her son and herself from becoming a statistic. The law changed for a reason and should be a consideration." She added, "It is also important to recognize that Leisa, in keeping the car keys away from Kevin on that fateful day, may have actually saved the lives of others as he would have driven impaired because he was seriously drunk".

Some JMC members have questioned the Judge's ability to make good judicial decisions in not permitting the jury to hear critical testimony that would likely have brought a different verdict. They cited another NJ case, where the same Judge sent a disturbed violent 15-year-old boy home with instructions to be a good boy, despite pleas from his parents to place him in protective custody, as they believed that he was a danger to others. Three days later, the 15-year-old enticed an 11-year-old boy into his home, sexually assaulted him, strangled him to death, and stuffed the boy’s body into a suitcase. The same judge also very recently gave a man probation for a year in the death of his baby after leaving the child in a car while he went to class, having claimed that he forgot to bring him to the babysitter.

Ramos said, "During Leisa's 12 years in prison, she has seen women who have KILLED their own children in cold blood, come and go."

Karin Westdyk, program director of Strengthen Our Sisters and JMC member said, "We can only hope that the Governor will finally actually take the time to read and understand what has happened in this case so that this injustice -- not only to Leisa, but to her children as well, who have been forced to grow up without their mother -- can be overturned. She added, "The last time I visited Leisa, she told me that one of the ways she has learned to cope in prison is, before she goes to sleep at night, she imagines her son and daughter on either side of her in a big chair, one under each arm".

Leisa's daughter Teriana, born just before her mother's trial would love to spend more time with her Mom, and Leisa's son Michael, now 16, and a football player, lives daily with the knowledge that his mother is in prison because she acted to save his life. He called his mother during his recent 16th birthday party and declared in front of his friends, "I love you Mommy. I don't care if my friends make fun of me. I love my Mom and I want everyone to know."

Despite the horror of being in prison for so long, Leisa has used her time wisely. As her Grandmother once said in describing Leisa, "She has a heart of gold and wouldn't hurt a flea," Leisa spends a good deal of her time helping other prisoners with GED and college preparatory work, as well as computer technology. She has also participated in all the classes and training programs available for prisoners.

The Justice for Mothers and Children group worked with Leisa and her family to develop a chronology and summary of the events of her trial. The document contains an account of what happened in Leisa's own words, followed by an Appendix prepared by the committee. This was distributed at a recent press conference held in Trenton and is available online at http://strengthenoursisters.org/pyatt.html. There is also a video interview with Leisa's parents available for anyone wishing to further document this story.

The Justice for Mothers and Children group have been gathering letters of support to accompany Leisa's clemency appeal. Those interested in helping should send two signed letters requesting clemency for Leisa, to Governor Jon Corzine, POB 001, Trenton, NJ with The words "Leisa Pyatt Clemency Support" on the envelope. Those seeking additional information, a copy of the video, or wanting to help can call Sandra Ramos at 973-831-6156, or Karin Westdyk at 973-248-0776, or email us, info@sosdv.org.

IMPORTANT SAFETY ALERT!

Computer use can be monitored and is impossible to completely clear. If you are
afraid your internet and/or computer usage might be monitored, please use a
computer at your local library or other location. Or call our local hotline at 1-800-767-9470,
and/or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.


World Peace Begins at Home.

	Leisa Pyatt Story page 1 \| Leisa Pyatt, In My Own Words Leisa Pyatt Story continued Sandra Ramos, founder of the first shelter for battered women in North America and currently executive director of Strengthen Our Sisters shelter for battered women in Passaic County, is often called upon as an expert witness in domestic violence cases. In 1998, after Leisa saw a TV program profiling Sandra's work, she contacted her, told her what happened and asked for help. "We read the entire transcript of her trial, met with Leisa, her parents and grandparents, before getting involved" Ramos explained, and added, "In the 35 years I have been advocating for victims of domestic violence, I have learned much and there is no doubt in my mind that Leisa Pyatt was a victim of abuse and only defended herself when her child was threatened -- as is often the case with battered women. I am also convinced that if Leisa and her family had money for an experienced attorney, she never would have received a 40 year sentence." Ramos, along with several others have organized Justice for Mothers and Children (JMC) to provide support for Leisa while in prison, and to help her with her clemency appeal. Chairman and Founder of the New Jersey based Evergreen Philanthropic Foundation John Ignozza, has been following Leisa's case for several years. He said, " I cannot comprehend that our legal system has allowed such blind injustice in the case of Leisa Pyatt, who acted in self-defense while protecting her child. No judge has ever taken the time to really examine this case – 40 years for doing what any mother would or should have done is the real crime." Anna Marie Tait, director of Strengthen Our Sisters' self-help legal clinic and member of JMC, commented, "It is important to note that the domestic violence laws have changed since Leisa's trial. Today she would have been considered a hero for saving her son and herself from becoming a statistic. The law changed for a reason and should be a consideration." She added, "It is also important to recognize that Leisa, in keeping the car keys away from Kevin on that fateful day, may have actually saved the lives of others as he would have driven impaired because he was seriously drunk". Some JMC members have questioned the Judge's ability to make good judicial decisions in not permitting the jury to hear critical testimony that would likely have brought a different verdict. They cited another NJ case, where the same Judge sent a disturbed violent 15-year-old boy home with instructions to be a good boy, despite pleas from his parents to place him in protective custody, as they believed that he was a danger to others. Three days later, the 15-year-old enticed an 11-year-old boy into his home, sexually assaulted him, strangled him to death, and stuffed the boy’s body into a suitcase. The same judge also very recently gave a man probation for a year in the death of his baby after leaving the child in a car while he went to class, having claimed that he forgot to bring him to the babysitter. Ramos said, "During Leisa's 12 years in prison, she has seen women who have KILLED their own children in cold blood, come and go." Karin Westdyk, program director of Strengthen Our Sisters and JMC member said, "We can only hope that the Governor will finally actually take the time to read and understand what has happened in this case so that this injustice -- not only to Leisa, but to her children as well, who have been forced to grow up without their mother -- can be overturned. She added, "The last time I visited Leisa, she told me that one of the ways she has learned to cope in prison is, before she goes to sleep at night, she imagines her son and daughter on either side of her in a big chair, one under each arm". Leisa's daughter Teriana, born just before her mother's trial would love to spend more time with her Mom, and Leisa's son Michael, now 16, and a football player, lives daily with the knowledge that his mother is in prison because she acted to save his life. He called his mother during his recent 16th birthday party and declared in front of his friends, "I love you Mommy. I don't care if my friends make fun of me. I love my Mom and I want everyone to know." Despite the horror of being in prison for so long, Leisa has used her time wisely. As her Grandmother once said in describing Leisa, "She has a heart of gold and wouldn't hurt a flea," Leisa spends a good deal of her time helping other prisoners with GED and college preparatory work, as well as computer technology. She has also participated in all the classes and training programs available for prisoners. The Justice for Mothers and Children group worked with Leisa and her family to develop a chronology and summary of the events of her trial. The document contains an account of what happened in Leisa's own words, followed by an Appendix prepared by the committee. This was distributed at a recent press conference held in Trenton and is available online at http://strengthenoursisters.org/pyatt.html. There is also a video interview with Leisa's parents available for anyone wishing to further document this story. The Justice for Mothers and Children group have been gathering letters of support to accompany Leisa's clemency appeal. Those interested in helping should send two signed letters requesting clemency for Leisa, to Governor Jon Corzine, POB 001, Trenton, NJ with The words "Leisa Pyatt Clemency Support" on the envelope. Those seeking additional information, a copy of the video, or wanting to help can call Sandra Ramos at 973-831-6156, or Karin Westdyk at 973-248-0776, or email us, info@sosdv.org. Leisa Pyatt Story page 1 \| Leisa Pyatt, In My Own Words IMPORTANT SAFETY ALERT! Computer use can be monitored and is impossible to completely clear. If you are afraid your internet and/or computer usage might be monitored, please use a computer at your local library or other location. Or call our local hotline at 1-800-767-9470, and/or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.
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