Chrystul Kizer, a Wisconsin woman, was sentenced to 11 years in prison for killing a man who had sexually trafficked her. Kizer argued that she was legally allowed to kill the man because of the sexual trafficking she experienced. The sentencing followed Kizer pleading guilty to a reduced count of reckless homicide in connection with the 2018 death of Randall Volar. The judge sentenced her to 11 years of initial confinement followed by 5 years of extended supervision, with no eligibility for early release programs. Kizer is expected to be released in 2033.
Kizer, who is now 24 years old, shot Volar at his home in Kenosha, Wisconsin when she was 17 years old, before burning down his house and stealing his car. The two met on a sex trafficking website, and Kizer claimed that Volar had been molesting her and selling her as a prostitute leading up to his death. Kizer told detectives that she shot Volar after he attempted to touch her. She was initially charged with multiple counts including first-degree intentional homicide, arson, car theft, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Kizer pleaded guilty to second-degree reckless homicide in May, avoiding a trial and possible life sentence.
Kizer’s defense argued that she could not be held criminally liable for her actions, citing a 2008 state law that absolves sex trafficking victims of any offense committed as a direct result of being trafficked. The state Supreme Court ruled in 2022 that Kizer could raise this defense during her trial. While most states have passed similar laws to offer some level of criminal immunity to sex trafficking victims, prosecutors contended that Wisconsin legislators did not intend for these protections to extend to homicide. Anti-violence groups have supported Kizer, stating that trafficking victims often feel trapped and may feel the need to take action themselves.
The sentencing of Chrystul Kizer to 11 years in prison has sparked debates over the legality of her actions given the circumstances of sexual trafficking that she experienced. Kizer’s case highlights the complex issues surrounding victims of sex trafficking and the need for legal protections for individuals who are forced into these situations. While some argue that Kizer was justified in her actions, others believe that the law should not permit homicide to be excused under these circumstances. The case raises important questions about the intersection of criminal justice and victim rights, and sheds light on the challenges faced by individuals who are exploited and abused in the illegal sex trade.
The story of Chrystul Kizer and her sentencing for killing her alleged sex trafficker has garnered national attention, with advocates and critics weighing in on the implications of her case. Kizer’s defense team has argued that she was justified in taking action against her abuser, while prosecutors maintain that criminal immunity should not extend to homicide. The case has sparked a broader discussion about the treatment of sex trafficking victims within the criminal justice system, and the need for greater awareness and resources to support individuals who are victimized in this way. The sentencing of Kizer to 11 years in prison raises important questions about the intersection of trauma, violence, and the law, and calls attention to the ongoing challenges faced by victims of sex trafficking in seeking justice and support.
