Thanks to determined law students, a judge recently ordered the release of an elderly woman from prison. 74-year-old Mary Virginia Jones, who is called Mother Mary by her friends, spent a total of 32 years behind bars.

Thanks to determined law students, a judge recently ordered the release of an elderly woman from prison. 74-year-old Mary Virginia Jones, who is called Mother Mary by her friends, spent a total of 32 years behind bars.

Back in 1981, she was convicted of kidnapping, robbery and first-degree murder in reference to a fatal shooting. She was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

The crimes were committed by Jones’ abusive boyfriend at the time, Mose Willis. Jones was involved in the act, but not by choice. Willis held her at gunpoint and ordered her to drive a vehicle to an alley in California after he kidnapped two men.

When Jones stopped in the alley, Willis allegedly shot the males and killed one of them.

University of Southern California's Post-Conviction Justice Project began looking into her case and later challenged her conviction. They believe she never would have been found guilty if the jury had heard a testimony pertaining to intimate partner battering, otherwise known as ‘Battered Women’s Syndrome.’

The Los Angeles District Attorney's office reviewed the information and decided to let Jones go if she pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter. She did just that and has since been freed.

Willis, who was sentenced to death for the crimes, passed away while on death row.