Exclusive: Marissa Alexander Talks Her Case and Her Kids

Before sentencing, Florida mother of three speaks on what’s at stake for her family.

Marissa Alexander, the 31-year-old mother of three, denied a “Stand Your Ground” defense against her abusive husband, faces a 20-year prison sentence on Friday.

Her ex-husband and father to two of her children, Lincoln Alexander, arranged a phone interview with her from jail on Monday evening. Earlier that evening, State Attorney Angela Corey contacted Loop 21 to dispute a “misleading” story she said Marissa, her family and her attorney have given to the media.

Marissa sticks by the details of her story; that in 2010, she fired a gun to prevent a fight between herself and her estranged current husband, Rico Gray. She responded to Corey’s statements to Loop 21, talks about the "Stand Your Ground" law and pledges to continue fighting for her children.

Marissa and her family say they are preparing for an appeals process.

[GET THE LATEST IN THE MARISSA ALEXANDER CASE]

Loop 21: State Attorney Angela Corey believes the media has done a poor job at informing the public about your case, in a way that’s fair to all parties. Is there something missing here?

Marissa Alexander: What’s missing is… unfortunately, Angela Corey is getting bits and pieces (of the story) from somebody who prefers perverted justice, which is Rico Gray. He’s gone on sworn statement and lied several times. So, I find it very difficult for her to believe anything that he has to say.

Loop 21: So, your story (in the media) isn’t inconsistent with anything contained in court records or anything used to prosecute your case?

MA: The truth doesn’t change. My truth has stayed the same. One of (Rico’s) his sons have corroborated my story, as well as Rico’s deposition.

Loop 21: Why then does Mrs. Corey believe you acted out of anger, not fear in the shooting incident? If your story hasn’t changed and is consistent with the trial testimony you mentioned, shouldn’t that have worked in your favor?

MA: It wasn’t an issue out of anger. One does not get an injunction and keep it in place for no violence because they wouldn’t fear somebody taking the steps to harm them. What Mrs. Corey is failing to let you guys know…I had just given birth. I’d just given birth to a premature child. So when (Rico) he jumped on me, I had just given birth.

Loop 21: Your attorney and your ex-husband have also provided accounts consistent with yours – the fight in the bathroom of your home, the details about the garage malfunction which may have allowed you to escape and how and where you fired the gun. Mrs. Corey told Loop 21 that what they’ve said to the media is “shameful.”