Crime After Crime

Of the more than 120,000 women behind bars in the U.S., over 80% are survivors of domestic violence, rape, or other forms of abuse. CRIME AFTER CRIME tells just one of their stories. Debbie Peagler has been imprisoned for over a quarter century for her connection to the murder of the man who whipped and prostituted her. She finds her only hope for freedom when two idealistic young attorneys with no background in criminal law take her case. Joshua Safran is an orthodox Jew whose faith obliges him to free those who are bound. Nadia Costa is a marathon runner with experience in social work (this serves her well in Debbie's case, which will drag on for many years). There's a new ray of hope when California becomes the first and only state to allow domestic violence cases like hers to be reopened. Joshua and Nadia uncover a trail of prosecutorial misconduct that makes Debbie's case headline news. Together, the three of them launch a movement that not only advocates for her freedom, but also raises awareness for battered women in prison. –B.B.