GEORGE TOWN, Grand Cayman: 100 Women in Hedge Funds’ (Cayman) Philanthropy Committee is pleased to welcome bestselling author, documentary producer and activist, Joshua Safran, to the Harquail Theater on 11 September 2014. Safran will discuss his poignant experiences focusing primarily around his seven year fight to free Debbie Peagler, a woman accused of murdering her abusive husband and sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. The unconventional story of their fight for justice is a gripping and inspiring one, and one which we are proud to present this year given our wonderful partnership with the Cayman Islands Crisis Centre.

The evening will comprise a short introduction from the author, followed by a screening of the film. Copies of Safran’s highly awarded book “Free Spirit: Growing Up on the Road and Off the Grid”, will also be available for purchase, with a private book signing to follow the film.

Individual tickets for the evening are now on sale for CI$65 each. Corporate sponsorship packages are also available.

100 Women in Hedge Funds Philanthropy Committee Chairperson Christina Bodden said: “Given the significance of this event, we are proud to also offer a very special category of sponsor in recognition of our individual commitment to both CICC and the cause which Safran’s work highlights, and that is “Supporter of CICC”.” This personal sponsorship package is $150 and includes one ticket for the evening and a name listing on the notices at the event and post event advertisement. Bodden also said: “Safran’s documentary, Crime After Crime, is a well-crafted visual wake up call to a social problem which should have no place in our society. An evening celebrating the bravery of Safran and Peagler is a perfect opportunity for a unified show of solidarity to a cause which the professionals at CICC serve each day. ”.

100 Women in Hedge Funds is a global chapter of professional women and men of the hedge fund industry who volunteer to make a difference in their communities, through educational programming, professional leverage initiatives and philanthropy. This is the second fundraising event hosted by 100 Women in Hedge Funds (Cayman) Philanthropy Committee to benefit the Cayman Islands Crisis Centre. The inaugural charity event held earlier this year raised over US$26,000 to benefit the Centre’s community programmes.

For more information on how to purchase tickets, go to the Crisis Centre website at www.cicc.ky or email Denise Gower at [email protected]

Founded in 2001, 100 Women in Hedge Funds is a global association of more than 12,000 professional women. Through volunteer efforts led by our members, we make a difference in our industry and community with unique educational programming, professional leverage initiatives and philanthropy.

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IMAGE: Deborah “Tripp” Peagler at the Central California Women’s Facility, the largest women’s prison in the USA. Photo by Yoav Potash, image courtesy of the film “Crime After Crime.” WIKIPEDIA

Related:

Deborah Peagler

From Wikipedia

Deborah Denise Peagler (December 27, 1959, Pensacola, Florida – June 8, 2010, Compton, California [1]) was a battered woman who was in prison from 1983 to 2009 for alleged involvement in the murder of Oliver Wilson, the man who abused her, forced her into prostitution, and molested her daughters.[2] She was also known as “Tripp,” (the last name of her first daughter), and as Debbie, Debie, or Debi.

Her personal saga and her legal case are the subject of an award-winning documentary Crime After Crime by filmmaker Yoav Potash. The film premiered in January 2011 at the Sundance Film Festival and has since won over 25 awards.

Beginning in the mid to late 1970’s, Peagler was beaten and forced into prostitution by Oliver Wilson. In 1982, Peagler’s abuser was beaten and strangled to death by two Crips gang members who were friends of Peagler’s mother. Peagler was accused of first-degree murder alongside one of the gang members; the other gang member was a minor at the time and was charged with a lesser crime.

Peagler never had a trial by jury. Prosecutors threatened to pursue the death penalty against her, and her attorney urged her to plead guilty in order to save her life. She was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison.

In 2002, lawyers Nadia Costa and Joshua Safran from the law firm Bingham McCutchen learned of Peagler’s case from The Habeas Project and began working pro bono to free Peagler. Their work relied on a unique California law enacted in 2002. The law gives battered women in prison the chance for a new hearing if the original court never considered evidence relating to abuse.

Her case became controversial in 2005. Peagler’s supporters established a website to publicize her cause. In 2008, a California Superior Court Judge removed Los Angeles District Attorney Steve Cooley’s entire office from Peagler’s case due to allegations of misconduct and conflicts of interest.[6] The California Court of Appeal later reversed that decision, but also found that some of the allegations against the District Attorney’s Office were true.

Peagler’s attorneys in 2007 filed suit against the Los Angeles District Attorney over what they alleged was the broken agreement to free their client.

Peagler was incarcerated first at the California Institute for Women, and was later transferred to the Central California Women’s Facility in Chowchilla, California, the largest women’s prison in the country. She directed the prison gospel choir and earned two associates degrees while behind bars.

In February 2009, Peagler was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer, and her lawyers attempted to win her release on bail, but the judge declined the request on technical grounds. On July 10, 2009, she was found suitable for release by the California Board of Parole Hearings. On August 4, 2009, Los Angeles District Attorney Steve Cooley questioned the parole decision in a letter to California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in which Cooley suggested that the parole board was wrong to offer Peagler her freedom.

On August 19, 2009, Peagler’s family members and community supporters protested outside the Los Angeles office of California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, demanding Peagler’s release.[9] On August 20, 2009, Governor Schwarzenegger declined to review the parole finding,[10] allowing Peagler to be released on August 22, 2009.[11]

Peagler died of lung cancer while at home with her family on June 8, 2010