North carolina... here is an excerpt from my friends website : "On May 1, 2002 my older sister Melissa Clark Morris was taken in to the Craven County Correctional Facility in New Bern, NC. Around 9AM that morning Lisa Dawn Mckeown, a woman who my sister had a restraining order against, barged through the door of my sister’s home. Fearing for her life and the life of her one year old daughter who was present at the home also, my sister expedited her predicament in the only fashion she saw fit. Melissa used a firearm, shooting Ms. Mckeown in the back of the neck. The day prior to this event, Melissa was advised by a New Bern police officer to use a firearm if Ms. Mckeown was to take any action that could be considered a threat inside my sister’s home. Due to the fact that the bullet struck Ms. Mckeown in the rear side of her neck and that she was found lying in the front yard, the police had no choice but to view this as an attempt of murder by my sister. Witnesses along with my sister say that Ms. Mckeown was shot in the doorway but fell onto the steps outside. Nearby residents who rushed over for assistance moved her from the steps to the ground in order for her to lie flat on her back. Spots of blood were found in the doorway and a large puddle of blood was found on the second step. It makes it seem obvious that my sister’s actions were in self-defense"
nine months later the woman died from an infection. two years after the incident Melissa was found guilty of second degree murder and sentenced to 100-129 months (standard). her court appointed attorney was supposed to go for manslaughter/ self defense but was... well, didn't do a vey good job.
I would like to help my friend's sister. at least get her sentence reduced... i guess an appeal is in order, but i don't know where to begin and cash is in short supply. any advice would be appreciated.