Controversial defense raises legal questions amid plea agreement
Chrystul Kizer, a Milwaukee woman entangled in a high-profile homicide case, has entered a guilty plea to a reduced charge of reckless homicide on Thursday. The plea deal allows her to avoid trial and the potential of a life sentence, yet the resolution of her case leaves unresolved questions about the scope of legal immunity for victims of sex trafficking.
Allegations of homicide, arson, and theft in a complex legal battle
Prosecutors assert that Kizer fatally shot 34-year-old Randall Volar at his Kenosha residence in 2018, when she was just 17 years old. Subsequently, she allegedly set fire to his house and stole his BMW, leading to a litany of charges including first-degree intentional homicide, arson, car theft, and firearm possession by a felon.
Claims of legal justification rooted in victimization by sex trafficking
Kizer’s defense team, consisting of Gregory Holdahl and Helmi Hamad, asserted that their client had been subjected to sexual trafficking by Volar, leading to a situation where she felt compelled to defend herself. Kizer argued that she shot Volar in self-defense after enduring months of molestation and exploitation.
Uncertainty surrounds application of sex trafficking immunity laws
At the heart of the case lies a contentious legal debate over the applicability of a 2008 Wisconsin law granting immunity to sex trafficking victims for offenses committed as a direct result of their victimization. While Kizer’s attorneys invoked this statute to absolve her of criminal liability, the extent to which it encompasses acts of homicide remains a subject of contention.
Guilty Plea and Sentencing
With her guilty plea to the reduced charge of second-degree reckless homicide, Kizer’s fate now rests in the hands of Kenosha County Circuit Judge Michael Wilk, who is scheduled to sentence her on August 19. The charge carries a maximum prison term of 25 years, in stark contrast to the mandatory life sentence associated with first-degree intentional homicide.
