The Story of Francine Hughes

Francine Hughes, a mother of four, set fire to her Michigan home in 1977, killing her ex-husband after enduring thirteen years of relentless abuse. The case gained national attention and became a pivotal moment in raising awareness about domestic violence and the legal challenges survivors face.   Research by Elizabeth Atwood.    For more information about domestic violence awareness month including resources for survivors, supporters, and ways to give back, including joining us and Navigating Advocacy Podcast in our  Survivor's Bag Drive, check out momsandmysteries.com/dva.  Thank you to this week’s sponsors!   Right now, Hungryroot is offering Moms and Mysteries listeners 40% off your first delivery and free veggies for life. Just go to Hungryroot.com/moms to take advantage of this amazing deal! Help your kids gain financial literacy. Sign up for Greenlight today and get your first month free when you go to Greenlight.com/moms.    For 55% off your order, head to NurtureLife.com and use code MOMS.     To advertise on the show, contact [email protected] or visit https://www.advertisecast.com/MomsandMysteriesATrueCrimePodcast.    New merch! Check out Moms and Mysteries Threadless! You can also get new episodes a day early and ad free, plus merch and more at Patreon.com/momsandmysteriespodcast Listen and subscribe to Melissa’s other podcast, Criminality!! It’s the podcast for those who love reality TV, true crime, and want to hear all the juicy stories where the two genres intersect. Subscribe and listen here: www.pod.link/criminality    Check-out Moms and Mysteries to find links to our tiktok, youtube, twitter, instagram and more! Sources: Boots, Anna, “The Burning Bed” Recalls the Case That..., The New Yorker, 2020 Francine Hughes Wilson, whose ‘burning bed’..., The Washington Post Grimes, William, Francine Hughes Wilson, 69, ...,, The New York Times, 2017 White, Otis, Mrs. Hughes accused of affair, Lansing State Journal, 1977 McNulty, Faith Battered wife…(Excerpt from The Burning Bed), Edmonton Journal, 1981 Hughes, Mike, Nichols, Sue, The tale behind 'The Burning Bed' .., The San Bernardino County Sun, 1984  Nixon, Mark, Former wife arrested in arson death, Lansing State Journal, 1977  Woman arraigned for ex-husband's death, Lansing State Journal, 1977  Heron, Kim, Abused Dansville woman helped...,, Lansing State Journal, 1977 Leach, Hugh, Mrs. Hughes bound over to trial, Lansing State Journal, 1977 Killer of ex-husband awaits trial, The Columbus Telegram, 1977 White, Otis, Mrs. Hughes' children tell of beatings, threats, Lansing State Journal, 1977 AP, 2d Man in fire death trial, Detroit Free Press White, Otis, Mrs. Hughes called temporarily insane, Lansing State Journal, 1977 Michigan woman’s story of abuse forever changed America’s…, Michigan Public, 2017 Jones, Jennifer, Chapter 4. Totaled Women: The Battered Wife…, Project Muse, 2003 State v. Kelly, 33 Wn. App. 541 | Casetext, 1982 State v. Kelly - Washington - Case Law , 1985 Weiand v. State, 732 So. 2d 1044 | Casetext, 1999 State v. Bobbitt, 415 So. 2d 724 | Casetext, 1982 State v. Bobbitt, 389 So. 2d 1094 | Casetext, 1980 Carleton, Sue, Battered spouse case is closed, Tampa Bay Times, 1999 Blakemore, Erin, Francine Hughes Killed Her Abusive Husband…, History, 2019 Transcript: The Domestic Violence Case That Turned…, Retro Report, 2020 Fletcher, Kayla, National Domestic Violence…,Stockbridge Community News, 2020 Dozier, Vickki, Abused Michigan wife who inspired 'The Burn…, Detroit Free Press, 2017 White, Otis, Childhood incident caused Francine..., Lansing State Journal, 1977 Maitland, Leslie, Courts easy on rising family violence, The New York Times, 1976 Franks, Mary Anne, Real Men Advance, Real Women Retreat: Stand Your Ground, Battered Women’s Syndrome, and Violence as Male Privilege, Miami Law Review, 2014 Flock, Elizabeth, How Far Can Abused Women Go to Protect…,, The New Yorker, 2020 White, Otis, Francine Hughes’ case nears jurors, Lansing State Journal, 1977 White, Otis, Jury frees Mrs. Hughs, Lansing State Journal, 1977 Van Der Hayden, Ute, Francine Hughes is no longer a battered wife, News-Press, 1980 Diliberto, Gioia, A violent death, a haunted life, People, 1984 Simmons, Emma, Police: Woman fatally shot boyfriend during argument…, ABC, 2017