LANSING, Mich. (WXYZ) — On Wednesday, lawyers and friends of Tina Talbot went to the Lansing State Capital to present a petition and submit a clemency application for Talbot to be released from a federal prison.
Talbot was sentenced to 20 months to 15 years for killing her husband in September 2018. She says she endured years of physical and mental abuse before finally pulling the trigger.
It's been 100 days since the online petition started to pardon Talbot after killing her husband.
"In Tina’s case, this went on for 24 years and the final four days it was a donor die situation," said Pam Randles, a friend of Talbot.
A Change.org pardon for Talbot started online and garnered tens of thousands of signatures for Tina's release in just a few weeks. That number has grown to more than 200,000 and continues to grow. Action News spoke to Talbot briefly by phone about the support she's received and her son Phillip.
"I’m so very thankful for everybody all the support," Talbot said over the phone. "I’m getting out there all the support from my family and Phillip. It’s always been about Phillip and getting back with Phillip."
Her lawyers submitted the clemency application to the Michigan Department of Corrections. From there the parole board has 60 days to review its merit.
"If they determine yes, which again that determination has to be made within 60 days of receipt, then it moves on and there could potentially be a public hearing," said Sammie Eyde, associate attorney at Grewal Law.
Talbot shot and killed her husband on Sept. 14, 2018. She admits to pulling the trigger. When Action News reporter Alan Campbell spoke with her, she says it was either kill or be killed. Her lawyers says she is not a criminal.
"There’s a lot of support from not just friend and family but even if people who have heard of Tina’s situation that don’t even know her," Eyde said.
Tina's friends say there's still is a long way to go. However, they are hopeful the light at the end becomes just a bit brighter after today.
Talbot is currently serving at the Women's Huron Valley Correctional Facility.
