Fighting for Judy: Inside a Wrongful Conviction and Redemption | Attorney Shannon Norman

How far would you go to fight for someone the world gave up on?

In this gripping third episode of Behind the Armor’s look into the Judy Henderson story, Judd sits down with attorney Shannon Norman—the formidable legal force and unwavering advocate behind the exoneration of Judy Henderson. Shannon didn’t just take on Judy’s case; she built a bond that transcended the typical lawyer-client relationship, launching her law career on a quest for justice that would consume years of her life.

Together, Judd and Shannon unravel the harrowing true story of Judy Henderson, a woman sentenced to life without parole in a system stacked against her from the start. Discover how Shannon first encountered Judy’s case as a law student, and how her commitment blossomed from an academic assignment into a personal mission to overturn a devastating miscarriage of justice.

Through Shannon’s experience, this conversation examines the evolution of justice for women in abusive relationships, the importance of second chances, and the hope that comes from never giving up—even when the odds are impossible.

5 Lessons from the Episode:

1. Justice needs vigilance: Even the best systems can fail—Shannon’s advocacy highlights the need for relentless oversight and care.
2. Compassion drives progress: Seeing clients as people, not just cases, brings deeper commitment and real change.
3. Change takes public action: Legal work alone isn’t enough—rallying support and making noise can open doors closed by bureaucracy.
4. Resilience is power: Judy’s spirit shows that staying hopeful and kind, even in darkness, is its own form of strength.
5. Persistence pays off: Steady, faithful work—no matter how slow—can eventually lead to freedom and transformation.

CHAPTERS: 

00:29 Shannon Norman: From Law Student to Judy’s Unpaid Advocate
02:16 Clemency vs. Pardon: The Critical Legal Difference
04:11 The System Broke Down: Shared Mafia-Connected Attorney
06:48 Mafia Manipulation: Judy Set Up to Take the Fall
08:51 Paid Witnesses: Perjury and Injustice
10:13 Why I Couldn’t Let Judy’s Case Go
11:58 Beyond Legal Work: Building a Political Movement
12:54 3,300 Clemency Petitions Sitting Unread
14:39 Governor Greitens’ Reforms and Judy’s Petition Rises
15:59 Contraband “Apple” and Too Many Books—Including the Governor’s
17:27 Facing Political Roadblocks and Fierce Opposition
20:15 The Passion Behind Fighting for Judy Against All Odds
23:09 Judy Never Got a Fair Fight—A Lawyer’s Outrage
24:07 How the System Failed Abused Women in Past Decades
26:07 Surprising Realities & Rehabilitation Inside Women’s Prisons
28:41 Judy’s Program: Hugging Her Children in Prison
30:47 “Get Bitter or Get Better”: Judy’s Resilience
32:35 Winning Against the System After Years of Rejection
33:39 Seven Years to Freedom: How Clemency Unfolded
37:37 Inside the Governor’s Thorough Investigation
38:44 Now a Judge: How Judy’s Case Shapes Justice
39:41 Advice to Young Lawyers: Perseverance Pays Off
39:56 Judy’s Example: Never Giving Up on Yourself

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