EP. 161 – Garrard Beeney (Sullivan & Cromwell)

Content warning: This episode discusses sexual violence, domestic violence, and criminalized survivorship. If you or anyone you know needs help, please safely contact one of the organizations in our show notes.

To mark Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Jenn sits down with Garrard Beeney to discuss his pro bono representation of Nicole "Nikki" Addimando and the issue of criminalized survivorship.

Garrard shares Nikki's story, which includes enduring years of repeated physical and sexual abuse by her domestic partner, Christopher Grover, who was also the father of her two young children. Events led to her fatally shooting him. But, as Garrard explains, "the abuse that Nikki suffered at the hands of Grover was then repeated in the criminal justice system."

Garrard reveals how and why he and his firm got involved with Nikki's appeal. You'll hear about the legal arguments and uphill battle to free Nikki, culminating in the appellate court's rejection of the trial court's "antiquated impressions of how domestic violence survivors should behave."

SHOW NOTES:

US National Domestic Violence Hotline: [phone] or www.thehotline.org

UK National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 or www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk

Sanctuary for Families: www.sanctuaryforfamilies.org

We Stand With Nikki: www.westandwithnikki.com