A Chicago woman’s prison sentence is reduced after she shot her abuser in 2001, reflecting changing views on domestic violence in the justice system
Redmond, now 44, had been fighting for a reduced sentence under a new Illinois law that helps domestic violence survivors. She faced some challenges due to a previous court ruling, but the law was updated to support her case.
After years of legal battles, she now has less than a year left to serve. The judge reduced her sentence from 28 years to just over 24 years, following a plea deal with prosecutors.
During the hearing, Judge Paul Pavlus emphasized the unique nature of domestic violence cases. He noted that Redmond didn’t get to share her story during her original sentencing.
Redmond shot Narsell Love, the father of her child, at a gas station in Evanston. She explained that the shooting followed a series of threats and violent incidents from him. Just before the incident, he was aggressively bumping her car while their child was in the backseat.
In court, Redmond was emotional, apologizing to Love’s family for the pain her actions caused. Some of Love’s family members expressed their anger about the reduced sentence during the hearing.
However, Redmond’s son, Shea, who is now 23, spoke up for his mother. He believes the judge made a fair decision by considering her experiences. He mentioned that she has been working on herself in prison, attending college and therapy.
Shea shared how he has been in touch with his mom since he was little, and he’s excited to build a relationship with her once she’s out.
Redmond’s journey to a new sentence faced a setback in 2023 when the state’s high court ruled that the resentencing law didn’t apply to her. But the Illinois legislature later amended the law to include survivors like her.
Now, with her release date set for January 9, 2026, her family is getting ready to welcome her home. They’re looking forward to helping her find a job. Redmond’s mother mentioned that her daughter loves baking and enjoyed a pet grooming course while in prison.
Despite the challenges, her family believes she will work through the consequences of her actions.
