Battered woman has spent 30 years in prison
—By Gilien Silsby
Adam Reich is only a second-year law student, but he is quickly learning what it means to be a practicing attorney.
As part of the USC Gould School of Law Post-Conviction Justice Project, the 25-year-old New York native is representing Connie Keel, a woman serving almost 30 years in prison for sitting in a car while her husband robbed and killed a shop owner.
Reich clearly understands the stakes involved — Keel’s fate rests in his arguments and actions. In October, he successfully convinced the California Board of Parole that Keel is not a threat to society and should be released from prison. Keel has been before the parole board six times and served 29 years in the California Institution for Women.
“I am trying everything in my power to get Connie out of prison; her release means everything to me,” said Reich, who has met with Keel bimonthly since August. “The day the parole board recommended her release was one of the happiest in my life.”
Keel’s fate is now in the hands of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who received the parole board’s recommendation this week. The governor has 30 days to decide whether to uphold or deny her release from prison.
“When I first decided to go to law school I thought I would be on the corporate track,” Reich said. “Once I got here, I learned I could be engaged in promoting justice and having a big impact on someone’s life.”
Reich is one of 20 students in USC Law’s Post-Conviction Justice Project who, under the direction of Professors Michael Brennan and Heidi Rummel, represent women convicted of first- and second-degree murder at parole hearings and in the state courts. Many of the women have been battered and abused.
“Connie was only 21 years old at the time of the crime, but she had been a victim of extensive physical and sexual abuse,” said Reich. “A board of parole hearings investigation found that her history of abuse led her to develop a condition, which prevented her from acting contrary to her abuser’s orders the night of the offense, when her husband demanded she stay in the car.”
Reich has launched a multi-faceted campaign to free Keel. He has created a website, www.freeconnie.com, distributed “Free Connie” flyers at a local event, and is distributing “Free Connie” T-shirts complete with her photo and web address. He also is working with the women’s advocacy group Action Committee for Women in Prison.
Reich’s enthusiasm and commitment to the case is “incredible,” said Prof. Brennan. “All of our students are focused on their cases and very much want to help their clients, and Adam is devoting his life to this one. It is really nice to see.”
Brennan said he is optimistic that Schwarzenegger will agree with the parole board. “Connie Keel has served more than 25 years, and it has been determined she is not a threat to society,” he said. “I am hopeful.”
Since 1994, more than 350 USC Law students have worked with hundreds of clients on matters such as consultation and representation at parole hearings, and state and federal lawsuits challenging denials of constitutional rights. More than 25 women have been freed from prison, thanks to the work of students and their professors.
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