Catina Curley was beaten by her husband over a number of years until one fateful night, she shot and killed him.

Catina Curley was arrested and because of an ill-trained NOPD and district attorney’s office, the was charged with second degree murder.

At trial, the children testified about their father beating their mother, her employer testified about seeing her face swollen and bruised and there were six police reports detailing the domestic violence.

Catina Curley was convicted of second degree murder by a jury and sentenced to mandatory life imprisonment-I know, because I was the judge who sentenced her.

Catina Curley appealed her case and was denied by the Louisiana Supreme Court. Thereafter, I appointed the Loyal Law School Law Clinic to represent Catina Curley and with private attorneys, on the issue whether her attorney effectively represented her at trial.

Although there were police reports detailing domestic violence by Catina Curley’s husband and the trauma suffered by her, Louisiana law did not allow domestic violence experts explain the fear Catina Curley was in and why she needed to defend herself from her husband’s abuse.

Loyola Law School Law Clinic argued 2 issues:

1. Domestic violence expert testimony should have been allowed for the jury to consider at her trial.
2. Catina Curley should be granted a new trial.

I ruled in their favor and my ruling was upheld by the Louisiana Supreme Court. After 11 years in prison, Catina Curley won a new trial.

At trial, Loyola Law School Law Clinic presented facts not brought up in the first trial and domestic violence expert testimony was allowed-I found Catina Curley not guilty.

As a result of Catina Curley’s case, the Tulane Women’s Prison Project was formed and has gained the release of 8 women facing or serving lengthy prison sentences. There are more women still in prison, like Catina Curley, who were also wrongfully convicted without the benefit of domestic violence experts.

Louisiana State Senator Regina Barrow has filed Senate Bill 215 Justice for Survivors Act, which would allow domestic violence survivors in prison the opportunity to have their cases reviewed. The bill is in the Louisiana State Senate and was passed unanimously by a senate committee.

I am urging every senator to vote in favor of this legislation when it comes up before the full senate and asking you to contact your local state senator.

Martin Luther King once said, “The time is always right to do what is right.”

Our time has come.

Link to related article: After decade in prison, New Orleans woman who shot husband goes free as killing is deemed justified

Former Judge Arthur L. Hunter, Jr. was a New Orleans police officer and served as Chief Judge, and judge of Mental Health Court, Reentry Court and Veteran’s Treatment Court.