Defend Domestic Violence Survivors – Justice for Wendy!
Fundraising campaign by
The Wendy Howard Defense Committee
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US$16,504raised of $40,000.00 goal goal
Campaign Story
WHY ARE WE FUNDRAISING? WHY ARE WE FIGHTING FOR WENDY'S FREEDOM?
Wendy Elizabeth Howard is a mother and grandmother from Tehachapi, CA who has been charged with first-degree murder because she was forced to defend herself and her children from her abuser. Her trial began on September 27th, 2022 and should conclude by the end of October. The Wendy Howard Defense Committee, which consists of her family members, community members, and activists, is raising money to fund her legal defense which costs tens of thousands of dollars.
WHAT HAPPENED?
Starting in 2002, Wendy's abuser physically, sexually and verbally abused Wendy, including beating her with a baseball bat while Wendy was pregnant with their daughter. Finally, in 2019, her abuser sexually assaulted Wendy’s minor daughter. When Wendy discovered the abuse, she immediately filed a report with the Tehachapi Police Department, which opened an investigation, but took no action. Four days later, the abuser attacked Wendy on her property, and Wendy was forced to shoot him in self-defense.
Even though Wendy's abuser had a 17-year long history of repeatedly abusing Wendy, her children, other women in the community, and even his own children, the Kern County DA, Cynthia Zimmer, has refused to drop the charges, leaving Wendy facing a life sentence. Many survivors of intimate partner violence suffer the violence of prosecution and incarceration afterwards. Wendy has already spent 99 days in jail and is currently out on a $500,000 bail.
Wendy has 7 children and 9 grandchildren who love her and whose lives will be devastated if she goes to prison. Wendy should not be punished for suffering years of abuse, and she does not deserve to be prosecuted for protecting her children. Self-defense is not a crime! Survivors of domestic violence must be able to defend themselves when in danger, and they deserve more than being forced to choose between their lives and their freedom!
WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO?
This fundraiser is directly accountable to Wendy Howard and her family. All proceeds from this fundraiser go to the Wendy Howard Legal Defense Fund which is administered by Wendy's family on her behalf. Contact us at [email protected] if you have questions and find out more at https://defendwendy.com/.
TO SEND A CHECK:
If you want to send a donation via check, please make the check out to Phil Jalbert // For: The Wendy Howard Legal Defense Fund // Mail to: P.O. Box 831 Tehachapi, CA 93561. // Please also e-mail a note to us at [email protected] so we can include your donation in our fundraising total!
TO DONATE VIA PAYPAL:
To donate directly via PayPal, you can donate to Wendy's daughter, Miranda Frost: @justiceforwendy // Please also e-mail a note to us at [email protected] so we can include your donation in our fundraising total!
THANK YOU!
No donation is too large or small!
#DefendWendy
#JusticeForWendy
#FreedomForSurvivors
Fundraising Team
- The Wendy Howard Defense Committee
- Campaign Owner
- Tehachapi, US
- Justice 4 Wendy
- Campaign Manager
- Oakland, US
Donors
- Anonymous
- Donated on Jul 30, 2023
- L
- Donated on Jul 30, 2023
- Cole Margen
- Donated on Jul 10, 2023
Wendy Howard case concludes with Alford Plea, no prison time
Update posted by Justice 4 Wendy at 05:03 amDear Community, On April 7th, Wendy Howard’s case concluded with her entering an Alford plea for voluntary manslaughter in order to avoid a second retraumatizing trial for her and her family. She received a sentence of time served, no restitution, and one-year probation. Simply put, Wendy will not go to. . . . .
Motion to Dismiss Update
Update posted by Justice 4 Wendy at 04:22 am
Dear Community, Although we hoped that Judge Rodriguez would grant the motion to dismiss Wendy’s one remaining charge based on her double jeopardy plea, she delayed her decision yet again until April 5th. It appears that Judge Rodriguez will base her decision on whether or not Wendy’s attorney objected on. . . . .
Wendy Howard’s Double Jeopardy Hearing on Tuesday, 2/21, 8:30 am
Update posted by Justice 4 Wendy at 11:19 pm
On October 21, 2022, a jury acquitted domestic violence survivor Wendy Howard of all charges except for voluntary manslaughter on the heat of passion theory, for which there was a hung jury. On December 2, 2022, the DA announced their commitment to continue to prosecute on that one charge, despite. . . . .
Wendy Howard Jury Reaches Verdict
Update posted by Justice 4 Wendy at 10:57 pm
Friday, the jury in the Wendy Howard trial found Wendy NOT GUILTY of first-degree murder, second-degree murder, voluntary manslaughter (on an imperfect self-defense theory), and involuntary manslaughter. The jury hung - reached a deadlock - on the charge of voluntary manslaughter (on a heat of passion theory), with 7 voting. . . . .
Join our press conference on Tuesday, October 4th at 8:15am at Kern County Superior Court!
Update posted by Justice 4 Wendy at 09:34 pm
Please join us as we call upon the Kern County DA to drop the charges in this case of self-defense! Opening statements will also take place on 10/4. Please stick around for those and join us in court! THANK YOU ALL!
Wendy's Trial Starts Today
Update posted by Justice 4 Wendy at 08:34 pmWendy has been assigned a courtroom for the trial, which starts today. "[The] case has received significant attention in the community and spawned a group seeking to have the matter dismissed". Judge Charles R. Brehmer will preside over Howard’s trial.....Defense attorney Tony Lidgett and prosecutor Eric Smith have said the
Wendy's Trial Begins Tomorrow
Update posted by Justice 4 Wendy at 02:57 am
Hi Community,Wendy's trial begins tomorrow at 8:30am in Bakersfield, California. After many postponements and delays, it is looking like the court date will likely happen tomorrow.Wendy's legal fundraiser is just $57 away from reaching $30,000. If you have a dollar or two to spare, please show Wendy some support as
Wendy's Pretrial Begins Today - Please Donate & Stay Plugged In!
Update posted by Justice 4 Wendy at 03:39 pm
Hi Community,Thank you all so much for your support thus far. It means so much to Wendy and her family. Wendy has an 8:30am court date this morning, August 29th, as part of the pre-trial process. The trial should begin around September 12th. Wendy is just $10,500 away from paying. . . . .
Thank you for helping us reach $14k!
Update posted by Justice 4 Wendy at 04:08 pm
Thank you all so much for helping us reach $14k for Wendy's Legal Defense Fund! We are so grateful for every single donation and you cannot imagine the difference you've made in helping Wendy secure her legal defense! This brings us to 70% of our fundraising goal! Can you make
Donors & Comments
- Anonymous
- Donated on Jul 30, 2023
- L
- Donated on Jul 30, 2023
- Cole Margen
- Donated on Jul 10, 2023
- Leigh Hofheimer
- Donated on Mar 24, 2023
- Bob Mandel
- Donated on Mar 07, 2023
The Injustice system in the U.S. is interminable.
- Maryann OSullivan
- Donated on Feb 20, 2023
- Stephanie Hammerwold
- Donated on Feb 12, 2023
Justice for Wendy!💜
- Leigh Hofheimer
- Donated on Jan 19, 2023
- Guest
- Donated on Dec 17, 2022
- Nora Roman
- Donated on Dec 14, 2022
