BRATTLEBORO — Deborah Denise Peagler, a battered woman imprisoned from 1983 to 2009 over her involvement in the murder of Oliver Wilson, the man who abused her, forced her into prostitution, and molested her daughters, was serving 25 years to life.
Similar crimes, however, often came with a six-year sentence.
The Root Social Justice Center and Women's Freedom Center co-host a screening of “Crime After Crime” (2011; 95 min.), a documentary on the case which chronicles the criminalization of domestic-violence survivors, Peagler's bid for freedom, and her pro bono attorneys through The California Habeas Project.
According to the film's producers, Peagler did not kill Wilson; he was instead killed by two men to whom Peagler turned for help while fearing for her life.
After Peagler served 20 years in a California prison, the state passed a law allowing cases involving domestic abuse to be re-opened.
Peagler died of lung cancer, at home, in 2010.
The screening is Thursday, Dec. 12, at 6 p.m.
The Root hosts quarterly social justice forums at the center, which is on the first floor of the Whetstone Studio for the Arts, 28 Williams St. Admission is by donation, and refreshments will be served.