A Milwaukee woman, Chrystul Kizer, was sentenced to 11 years in prison for the fatal shooting of Randall Volar in Kenosha, Wisconsin, in 2018. Kizer, who was 17 at the time of the incident, pleaded guilty to reckless homicide earlier this year.
The court documents revealed that Kizer shot Volar in the head, burned down his house, and stole his BMW. Initially facing multiple charges including first-degree intentional homicide, arson, car theft, and illegal possession of a firearm, Kizer argued that she was being trafficked by Volar, who was a 34-year-old white man, starting when she was 16.
Wisconsin's Supreme Court ruled in 2022 that trafficking victims could be absolved of criminal liability for offenses committed as a direct result of being trafficked, extending this protection to first-degree intentional homicide. This ruling allowed Kizer to argue that her actions were justified as self-defense due to the violence she experienced.
Despite maintaining that Volar's death was an act of self-defense, Kizer pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of reckless homicide in May of this year. The court mandated that Kizer provide evidence to establish a connection between the killing and her trafficking experience before invoking immunity.
The case highlighted the complexities surrounding trafficking victims and their legal defenses. Kizer's sentencing includes 570 days served awaiting trial, with an additional five years of parole following her prison term.
This case sheds light on the challenges faced by individuals who have been victims of trafficking and the legal nuances involved in their defense strategies. The sentencing of Chrystul Kizer serves as a reminder of the complexities of navigating the justice system in cases involving trafficking and self-defense claims.
