Karen Kilgariff

So when the case begins, Francine's lawyer argues that after years of Mickey's relentless abuse, Francine experienced temporary insanity when she killed him. The timing of this case is very important because at the time, feminist groups had already spent years trying to raise awareness and organize around the issue of spousal abuse and domestic violence.

So when the case begins, Francine's lawyer argues that after years of Mickey's relentless abuse, Francine experienced temporary insanity when she killed him. The timing of this case is very important because at the time, feminist groups had already spent years trying to raise awareness and organize around the issue of spousal abuse and domestic violence.

And writer Faith McNulty will later put it, quote, had it occurred a decade earlier, the facts underlying the crime would probably have never been widely known. But in the 70s, there was a new willingness to listen to a story such as Francine's. Wow. Interesting.

And writer Faith McNulty will later put it, quote, had it occurred a decade earlier, the facts underlying the crime would probably have never been widely known. But in the 70s, there was a new willingness to listen to a story such as Francine's. Wow. Interesting.

And I think that new willingness had to do with basically enough women, like you're saying, like women talking to each other, women telling each other stories. you're not alone and you don't have to stay there and we'll figure something out or just like maybe the basic empowerment of you can have a checking account and maybe figure something out.

And I think that new willingness had to do with basically enough women, like you're saying, like women talking to each other, women telling each other stories. you're not alone and you don't have to stay there and we'll figure something out or just like maybe the basic empowerment of you can have a checking account and maybe figure something out.

Because you think of stories after this where women being abused, saving money in like a secret checking account to get away.

Because you think of stories after this where women being abused, saving money in like a secret checking account to get away.

So obviously this case becomes national news. The big networks fled Francine's small Michigan town. And the New York Times writes that Francine's case becomes a, quote, cause celeb for the feminist movement. Yay, feminists. But also, I don't know. I just get the tone of like, oh, it's a cause celeb. It's like she had to kill him to get him to stop hitting her. Right, right.

So obviously this case becomes national news. The big networks fled Francine's small Michigan town. And the New York Times writes that Francine's case becomes a, quote, cause celeb for the feminist movement. Yay, feminists. But also, I don't know. I just get the tone of like, oh, it's a cause celeb. It's like she had to kill him to get him to stop hitting her. Right, right.

In the courtroom, a jury of two men and 10 women eventually hand down their verdict. They agree that Francine suffered from temporary insanity and she is acquitted for the murder of her husband. How did they get that jury? Those lawyers.

In the courtroom, a jury of two men and 10 women eventually hand down their verdict. They agree that Francine suffered from temporary insanity and she is acquitted for the murder of her husband. How did they get that jury? Those lawyers.

But I also wonder if those lawyers were good, but the people, I mean, wherever this was tried, it'd be very... I mean, I want to read this book. Yeah. But... That the people in that community not only knew of him and knew this reality, but so many people have lived through this in some way. Totally. If you're not the spouse, then you're the kid watching that happen.

But I also wonder if those lawyers were good, but the people, I mean, wherever this was tried, it'd be very... I mean, I want to read this book. Yeah. But... That the people in that community not only knew of him and knew this reality, but so many people have lived through this in some way. Totally. If you're not the spouse, then you're the kid watching that happen.

Plenty of people being like, yeah, enough of this and enough of women going to jail because this is the only option they have.

Plenty of people being like, yeah, enough of this and enough of women going to jail because this is the only option they have.

So then In 1980, writer Faith McNulty publishes the nonfiction book, The Burning Bed, all about Francine's life and about this case. And that, of course, draws more attention to the issue. Francine gets an $11,000 advance for this book, which is worth around $42,000 in today's money. And she uses it as a down payment for a house. Oh, wow. So she can live with her kids and have a place to be safe.

So then In 1980, writer Faith McNulty publishes the nonfiction book, The Burning Bed, all about Francine's life and about this case. And that, of course, draws more attention to the issue. Francine gets an $11,000 advance for this book, which is worth around $42,000 in today's money. And she uses it as a down payment for a house. Oh, wow. So she can live with her kids and have a place to be safe.

Oh, my God.

Oh, my God.