Trafficking Victim Sentenced to 11 Years for Killing Sex Trafficker, Sparks National Debate

August 19, 2024
Trafficking Victim Sentenced to 11 Years for Killing Sex Trafficker, Sparks National Debate
  • Chrystul Kizer, a 24-year-old woman from Milwaukee, was sentenced to 11 years in prison for fatally shooting her sex trafficker, Randall Volar III, in 2018.

  • At the time of the incident, Kizer was just 17 years old and shot Volar in the head at his home in Kenosha, Wisconsin, before setting the house on fire and stealing his BMW.

  • Kizer claimed that Volar had been sexually exploiting and prostituting her for a year prior to his death, and she shot him after he attempted to touch her.

  • Kizer's defense argued that her actions were a justified response to being a victim of sex trafficking, which began when she was 16 years old.

  • Her attorneys referenced a 2008 Wisconsin law that offers immunity to trafficking victims for offenses directly resulting from their victimization.

  • The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled in 2022 that trafficking victims can raise a self-defense argument and be absolved of criminal liability for crimes committed as a result of trafficking.

  • However, prosecutors contended that the law was not intended to cover homicide cases, arguing that Kizer faced multiple charges including first-degree intentional homicide.

  • Initially, Kizer faced serious charges, but she ultimately accepted a plea deal for second-degree reckless homicide, avoiding a potential life sentence.

  • Kizer received credit for 570 days already served in custody, with her sentence consisting of 11 years of initial confinement followed by five years of extended supervision.

  • The case has garnered significant media attention and sparked debate, with advocacy groups supporting Kizer, emphasizing that trafficking victims often feel trapped and compelled to take action for their safety.

  • A restitution hearing for Kizer is scheduled for November 8, as the legal proceedings surrounding her case continue.

Summary based on 5 sources


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