When a 17-year-old mother of two young children finds her youngest baby not breathing, she runs for help. But instead of sympathy, she received a death sentence. This is the story of Sabrina Butler-Smith - the first woman in U.S. history to be exonerated from death row. Her story isn't just about injustice - it's about how quickly the system can turn a tragedy into a nightmare. But it's also about how a teenager transformed from a grieving, convicted killer into one of our country's most powerful voices for justice reform.
TRIGGER WARNING: This episode contains discussions of infant death and child abuse.
Opening and closing music “Under Your Thumb” by Nom Fabrique - listen to Nom on Spotify!
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ADVOCATE & SOURCES
Death Penalty | Equal Justice Initiative
Infant CPR | American Heart Association CPR & First Aid
Sabrina Butler-Smith: The fight for freedom of the first woman ever to be exonerated from death row in the US | The Independent By Rachel Sharp
Sabrina Butler-Smith's Fight for Freedom | Wrongful Conviction with Jason Flom
Mississippi | Death Penalty Information Center
Sabrina Butler - National Registry of Exonerations
BUTLER v. STATE | 608 So. 2d 314 | Miss. | Judgment | Law | CaseMine
Speaking with the Senator - Death Row Exoneree Sabrina Butler Porter