CHINO - Battered woman's syndrome advocate Glenda Crosley died on Saturday.
Crosley became known as an advocate for domestic violence abuse victims after she was sentenced to prison for killing her abusive husband. Crosley said her husband abused her for many years.
Police visited their home in Bakersfield numerous times in the mid-1980s and arrested Sam Crosley several times.
Then in the summer of 1986, Glenda Crosley killed him.
"My dream was family, children and a house. He was my knight in shining armor. He was the most excitement I ever had in my life. He was sweet, kind, brought me flowers. Then it started with a slap and being thrown across the room."
Glenda Crosley's story, told in the documentary "Sin by Silence" echoes that of many battered women behind bars.
After Crosley was convicted of murdering her husband, she used her 15 years to life sentence to help other women in similar situations.
"I am not saying I didn't deserve any time. But, I don't think I deserve the harshness that they gave me, a life sentence," said Crosley in the documentary.
A lot has changed since Crosley's conviction, including how society views the once private matter of domestic abuse.
"And, what you have seen is change that our society has begun to say 'hey, this isn't just a problem between a man and wife, but this is a society problem because it affects everyone. If we don't talk about it, this kind of stuff happens," said Carolann Wooton, Alliance Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault in Bakersfield.
Some laws have also changed.
AB 593 was passed this year. It allows a second look at some cases where testimony of spousal abuse was not allowed in court.
Crosley died just weeks after being diagnosed with cancer at the age of 69. So, her case never got a second look.
"I know that it was fear. I always thought that he was going to kill me. I never thought I would get out of there alive. He told me from the early days, the only solution is if one of us dies," said Crosley in the documentary.
Domestic violence is still a major problem in society.
But, now there are more options for victims. The Alliance Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault has a hotline to call for help. It's (661) 327-1091.
Crosley became known as an advocate for domestic violence abuse victims after she was sentenced to prison for killing her abusive husband. Crosley said her husband abused her for many years.
Police visited their home in Bakersfield numerous times in the mid-1980s and arrested Sam Crosley several times.
Then in the summer of 1986, Glenda Crosley killed him.
"My dream was family, children and a house. He was my knight in shining armor. He was the most excitement I ever had in my life. He was sweet, kind, brought me flowers. Then it started with a slap and being thrown across the room."
Glenda Crosley's story, told in the documentary "Sin by Silence" echoes that of many battered women behind bars.
After Crosley was convicted of murdering her husband, she used her 15 years to life sentence to help other women in similar situations.
"I am not saying I didn't deserve any time. But, I don't think I deserve the harshness that they gave me, a life sentence," said Crosley in the documentary.
A lot has changed since Crosley's conviction, including how society views the once private matter of domestic abuse.
"And, what you have seen is change that our society has begun to say 'hey, this isn't just a problem between a man and wife, but this is a society problem because it affects everyone. If we don't talk about it, this kind of stuff happens," said Carolann Wooton, Alliance Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault in Bakersfield.
Some laws have also changed.
AB 593 was passed this year. It allows a second look at some cases where testimony of spousal abuse was not allowed in court.
Crosley died just weeks after being diagnosed with cancer at the age of 69. So, her case never got a second look.
"I know that it was fear. I always thought that he was going to kill me. I never thought I would get out of there alive. He told me from the early days, the only solution is if one of us dies," said Crosley in the documentary.
Domestic violence is still a major problem in society.
But, now there are more options for victims. The Alliance Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault has a hotline to call for help. It's (661) 327-1091.