Wisconsin Court: Sex Trafficking Can Be Defense for Homicide

Wisconsin Court: Sex Trafficking Can Be Defense for Homicide
Chrystul Kizer (R) and her attorney Larisa Benitez-Morgan sit together in the Kenosha County Courthouse in Wis. on Feb. 6, 2020. Paul Williams/The Kenosha News via AP
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MADISON, Wis.—A woman accused of killing a man can argue at trial that she was justified because he was sexually trafficking her, Wisconsin’s Supreme Court ruled Wednesday in a decision that could help define the limits of legal immunity for trafficking victims nationwide.

The justices ruled 4-3 that a 2008 state law that absolves trafficking victims of criminal liability for any offenses committed as a direct result of being trafficked extends to first-degree intentional homicide. However, they said Chrystul Kizer must first provide evidence for a trial judge that her decision to kill Randall Volar was connected to being trafficked before she can invoke immunity.