A Milwaukee woman, Chrystul Kizer, was sentenced to 11 years in prison on Monday after pleading guilty to a reduced charge of second-degree reckless homicide. The sentencing took place in Kenosha County, Wisconsin, and comes after Kizer, now 24, admitted to the 2018 killing of Randall Volar, a 34-year-old man she claimed had been sexually trafficking her.
The case has sparked significant public interest and debate, particularly regarding the legal treatment of victims of sex trafficking. Kizer was initially charged with multiple offenses, including first-degree intentional homicide, arson, car theft, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Prosecutors alleged that Kizer shot Volar at his Kenosha home, then set fire to his house and stole his BMW. In May, she agreed to a plea deal for second-degree reckless homicide, which allowed her to avoid a trial and a potential life sentence.
The court's decision also included five years of extended supervision following Kizer's release from prison. She received credit for 570 days, approximately one and a half years, of time served while awaiting her case's outcome. As part of her sentencing, Kizer will not be eligible for early release programs and is expected to be released in 2033, according to the Wisconsin state public defender’s office.
Kizer's defense argued that her actions were a direct response to her experiences as a victim of sex trafficking. She met Volar through a sex-trafficking website and claimed he had been molesting and exploiting her for over a year before her arrest. Kizer testified that she shot Volar in self-defense after he attempted to sexually assault her.
Under Wisconsin state law, specifically a 2008 statute, victims of sex trafficking can be absolved of criminal liability for offenses committed as a direct result of being trafficked. Kizer’s attorneys argued that this law should apply to her case. They contended that trafficking victims often feel trapped and act out of desperation, making the legal protections essential for their defense.
However, prosecutors challenged this interpretation, asserting that such protections were not intended to cover homicide. They argued that allowing Kizer to use the trafficking defense in a murder case could undermine the legal system's ability to address violent crimes. Anti-violence groups supported Kizer, advocating that trafficking victims should be recognized as acting under extreme duress, which might justify their actions in specific circumstances.
In a landmark decision in 2022, the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled that Kizer could raise the trafficking defense during her trial, marking a significant moment in the ongoing discussion about the rights of trafficking victims within the legal framework.
The case continues to be a focal point in discussions about how the justice system handles sex trafficking victims and the extent of legal protections available to them. The sentencing has highlighted the complex intersection of criminal justice and victim protection, raising questions about how society can best support and protect those who have endured severe exploitation.
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