Life After Billy

When a jury, in November 1982, acquitted Jane Stafford of first degree murder in the death of her common-law husband, Billy, the packed courtroom rose as one to applaud the verdict. The case attracted national attention and, because of it, the battered wife syndrome is now an accepted defense and it is permissible to bring forward, evidence of longtime abuse in cases in which women have killed heir mates. The issue of violence against women was just beginning to some out of the closet in the late seventies and early eighties when Billy was battering Jane. She didn't know there were such places as transition houses. She learned about them and was soon advocating their need in every community. Now, Jane's voice has been silenced, but her legacy will live on. Through the tears and grief over Jane's death, others have pledged to carry on her fight with the same grit and determination. Jane's youngest sister, Mona Donnelly, articulated that pledge at a memorial service. --