‘Free Marissa Alexander’ petitions pop up online

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The verdict in the George Zimmerman trial has brought increased scrutiny and attention to the case of Marissa Alexander.

The Florida woman was sentenced to 20 years in prison for firing a warning shot at the wall of her home to  scare off her admittedly abusive husband.

Ironically, she was prosecuted by Angela Corey, the same state attorney who attempted to convict Zimmerman for murder in the case of Trayvon Martin.

Many critics have argued that the Zimmerman verdict proves that Alexander deserves to be released from prison or, at least, given a new trial.

Her supporters have launched “Free Marissa Alexander” petitions on MoveOn.org’s platform and elsewhere calling for freedom and pointing out the disparity between her fate and Zimmerman’s.

While Alexander attempted to use “Stand Your Ground” laws in her defense and was thwarted, Zimmerman is believed to have largely benefited from his and the acquitting jury’s interpretation of the law.

“The Florida criminal justice system has sent two clear messages today,” Rep. Corinne Brown (D-Fla.) said after Alexander’s conviction last year. “One is that if women who are victims of domestic violence try to protect themselves, the ‘Stand Your Ground Law’ will not apply to them. … The second message is that if you are black, the system will treat you differently.”