BTN News: In a case that has stirred intense debate over the legal rights of sexual exploitation victims, a Milwaukee woman, Chrystul Kizer, has been sentenced to 11 years in prison following her guilty plea to a reduced charge of reckless homicide. The sentencing concludes a tragic chapter that began in 2018 when Kizer, then just 17, shot and killed Randall Volar, a man she claimed had been sexually abusing and exploiting her for over a year. Kizer, now 24, has spent years fighting for her freedom, arguing that her actions were a direct result of the trauma and desperation she faced as a victim of sex trafficking.
Kizer’s case highlights the complex legal challenges faced by victims of sexual exploitation who resort to extreme measures in an attempt to escape their abusers. The legal system’s response to such cases is often controversial, particularly in states like Wisconsin, where the interpretation of laws designed to protect trafficking victims is still evolving. In this instance, Kizer’s defense team invoked a 2008 Wisconsin law intended to shield trafficking victims from prosecution for crimes directly linked to their exploitation. However, this defense was met with resistance from prosecutors, who contended that the law was never intended to apply to cases involving homicide.
The incident that led to Volar’s death occurred in Kenosha, Wisconsin. On that fateful day in 2018, Kizer shot Volar inside his home, subsequently setting the house on fire and fleeing the scene in his BMW. The charges against her were severe, including first-degree intentional homicide, arson, and auto theft, among others. The prosecution painted a grim picture, emphasizing the violent nature of the crime, while Kizer’s defense argued that her actions were a desperate bid for survival after enduring repeated sexual abuse.
In May of this year, Kizer avoided the possibility of a life sentence by pleading guilty to the reduced charge of second-degree reckless homicide. This plea deal spared her the ordeal of a full trial but did not completely absolve her of the consequences of Volar’s death. The judge in the case sentenced her to 11 years of initial confinement, followed by five years of extended supervision. With 570 days already served in custody, Kizer will have a significant portion of her sentence still to complete.
Kizer’s story is one of survival, trauma, and the dire consequences that can arise when victims of exploitation feel they have no way out. She met Volar on a website commonly used for sexual trafficking, and for a year, she was subjected to abuse and exploitation at his hands. According to Kizer, the final confrontation occurred when Volar attempted to touch her, prompting her to shoot him in what she described as an act of self-defense.
The broader legal community and advocacy groups have watched Kizer’s case closely, as it tests the boundaries of legal protections for trafficking victims. Her lawyers argued that under Wisconsin’s 2008 law, she should not be held criminally responsible for actions taken as a direct result of her exploitation. This argument is part of a growing movement across the United States, where in the last decade, many states have enacted laws that provide varying degrees of immunity to trafficking victims who commit crimes under duress.
However, the prosecutors in Kizer’s case maintained that the law was not meant to extend to acts of homicide, no matter the circumstances. The legal battle reached the Wisconsin Supreme Court, which ruled in 2022 that Kizer could present a defense based on her status as a trafficking victim at trial. This ruling was seen as a partial victory for Kizer and her supporters, although it did not prevent her from ultimately accepting a plea deal.
The sentencing of Chrystul Kizer has sparked discussions about the adequacy of current legal protections for victims of sexual exploitation, and whether those protections should encompass actions as severe as homicide. Advocates argue that trafficking victims often feel trapped, with little recourse other than to take drastic measures to protect themselves. This case underscores the need for continued examination of how the legal system can best serve those who are most vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.
As Chrystul Kizer begins her sentence, her case remains a powerful reminder of the complex interplay between victimhood and criminality in the context of sexual exploitation. The legal and social implications of her situation will likely continue to resonate, influencing future cases and potentially leading to further legal reforms aimed at better protecting trafficking victims who find themselves in desperate situations.
