Purpose
Liysa Northon is serving 12 years in an Oregon prison for killing her husband. Her marriage had been filled with violent physical abuse, and threats to harm her young sons. She was told that she would be "hunted down like an animal" if she ever left. She was psychologically coerced into entering a plea agreement in her trial, rather than presenting any defense.
After the trial, a murder mystery writer wrote a novel about this event which became a best seller. Although presented as a true story, the novel in fact is half truth and more creative fantasy to make it a "better "story. The semi-fictional character in the book has hijacked Liysa's life, and this website is an effort to set the story straight.
Domestic Violence is never pretty. This site contains affidavits and court transcripts that show the very disturbing side of the story that was never presented in court. This site also contains some of Liysa's recent writing, and some of the professional photography she did in her life before she went to prison. Her sons live with family, visit her several times a year for extended periods, and love her fiercely: they know she protected their lives with her action.
More:
For Liysa's personal statement about why she didn't leave Chris
Liysa's biographical Statement
Challenging the misinformation: What do you think you know?
This site:
Articles for download:
My Children's First
Free Breath
Strangulation is a Misdemeanor?
Liysa's Photography
with Getty Images:
Documents
for download:
Appellant Brief, Northon vs. Rule, 9th Circuit 2008 - 184K Download
jpgarcia-polygraph-report.doc - 32K Download
liysa 3 new essays.doc - 40K Download
Liysa_ source.pdf - 496K Download
Resources:
Self Defense is not a Crime
DivorceNet - What is Battered Woman's Syndrome?
Battered women who kill in non-beating situation have self-defense right
National Clearing-house for the Defense of Battered Women
http://www.cobra-dvsa.org/books.htm