Sara Kruzan Convicted Of Killing Her Pimp Released @ 35

As juvenile sentenced to life without parole, Kruzan's story received national attention from individuals and judicial reform groups, who advocated for a new trial.

Sara Kruzan

(CLEVELAND) - Sara Jessimy Kruzan has a story that will give you chills. Born January 8, 1978, she would go onto become a victim of human trafficking, and a convicted murderer.

Back in 1995, when she was 17, she was convicted of the first-degree murder of her alleged pimp, George Gilbert Howard, and sentenced to life imprisonment without parole.

As juvenile sentenced to life without parole, Kruzan's story received national attention from individuals and judicial reform groups, who advocated for a new trial.

Kruzan was granted clemency on January 2, 2011 by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. He commuted her sentence to 25 years with the possibility of parole, while she remained incarcerated at the Central California Women's Facility in Chowchilla.

In January of 2013, Kruzan's sentence was reduced to second-degree manslaughter and she was given credit for time served. This made her eligible for a parole hearing. The parole board determined that she was eligible for parole, and the decision was forwarded to Gov. Jerry Brown. On October, 25 2013 Gov. Brown took no action on the parole board decision, which amounted to it being confirmed. After many years, Kruzan exited prison as a free woman.

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Sara Kruzan Convicted Of Killing Her Pimp Released @ 35 She was only 11 years old, the Surrogate Father, he would grin, Not too long after that the horror of sexual abuse would begin, Training her in the ways, she was passed around to his friends, Seasoned pro in 2 years, now numerous clients, cash rolled in. Accused of killing her ex-pimp her new one never served a day, And the adult verified as her boyfriend, how easily he got away, “Life” for killing George Gilbert Howard, Riverside Ca., 1974, At 35, as justice finally prevails, she walks out the prison doors. All this is great news however given the violent nature of the case, Why in the world was Sara convicted & locked up in the 1st place? Born January 8, in 1978, she was an honor roll student in school, At 11, she was unaware not everyone lived by the, “Golden Rule.” Serving long prison terms she met her natural father only three times, Severe depression and numerous hospitalizations, no nursery rhymes, Seeking an outlet outside the only venue in which Sara would excel, No idea she was to embark on an arduous journey to the brink of hell. Under the control of GG, twenty years her senior, repeatedly abused, Guilty of killing the man forcing her into prostitution not good news, Her ex-pimp but the physical/psychological damage is already done, Sexual intimidation as she was now under the control of another one. Dynasty Suites Motel, shoots Howard in the neck, scene of the crime, Inexperienced in that side of the underworld leaves her purse behind, Housekeeping found the body, her ID, a warrant issued for her arrest, Just 16, Prosecutor Tim Feer bypassing the system would do his best. The California Youth Authority concluded treatment is as a juvenile, Plead his case to a local judge who agreed, attorney three-piece style, To be tried in adult court under the charge, “murder in the 1st degree,” Her new pimp threatened to kill her family but the court did not agree. Not only why, how would she come to the conclusion to kill anyone? She had been groomed to give up her body not to carry and use a gun, Fear! Not following orders, knowing how violent the beatings will be, Thursday May 11, 1995, “Guilty,” life w/o parole, never to be set free. During his closing arguments, Feer cautioned jurors not to be swayed, Appearance of an attractive, petite teenager, the road had been paved, For murder committed during a robbery with Sara lying in wait to kill, Affirming two special circumstances no further chance for a plea deal. Gov. Schwarzenegger granted clemency 2011, commuted to 25 years, Parole board reduced to 15 in 2013, setting her free, an ocean of tears, Gov. Jerry Brown refused to block the decision endorsing the release, “Elated, overjoyed, ecstatic!” Anne E. Rogan, 10/27, about her niece. Several years national petitions, judicial reform groups advocate a retrial, Campaigning suggested Sara suffers, “Battered Person Syndrome,” while, Diagnosis? A condition that often results in victims killing their abusers, What else to expect, years of sexual slavery making them feel like losers. Is it any wonder the profitable Human Trafficking grows worldwide? Life without parole for the murder of a pimp, okay, so an abuser died, “Prosecution is not that it shall win a case, but that justice shall be done.” Berger v. United States 295 U.S. 78, 88 (1935) the D.A. missed that one. By Luke Easter

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Luke Easter is a poet who writes about things that are very close to the heart of Salem-News.com. Another former U.S. Marine, Luke heals the world with an approach that reaches people on a different level, one known for centuries, yet too often forgotten in the one we live in.

We live in a world of social & economic injustice. The main reason for founding America in the first place was to relieve the oppression of the King of England. Patrick Henry said it best, “give me liberty or give me death.” And yet, all too often death seems to be the only way out. Why is there such a high suicide rate especially among teens, in the land of the free & the home of the brave? What makes headlines? Good news? Ha! More depressing stories than anything else. I feel poetry takes an edge off the hurt of bad news while still delivering it but in a, “glitzy” sort of way. Giving a different perspective. Kind of like slap in the face as opposed to a knife in the back. At least with the slap you’ll live to see another day and you will know whom it’s from. I wasn’t here for the beginning of the world but at 59, I just might be here for the end.

Even though it’s still a knife, rhyme poetry helps to dull the blade. And that’s my job. You can write to Luke Easter at: lyricsfromlucas@aol.com