Moms and Mysteries: A True Crime Podcast 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.
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Sources:
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Boots, Anna, “The Burning Bed” Recalls the Case That..., The New Yorker, 2020
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Francine Hughes Wilson, whose ‘burning bed’..., The Washington Post
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Grimes, William, Francine Hughes Wilson, 69, ...,, The New York Times, 2017
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White, Otis, Mrs. Hughes accused of affair, Lansing State Journal, 1977
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McNulty, Faith Battered wife…(Excerpt from The Burning Bed), Edmonton Journal, 1981
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Hughes, Mike, Nichols, Sue, The tale behind 'The Burning Bed' .., The San Bernardino County Sun, 1984
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Nixon, Mark, Former wife arrested in arson death, Lansing State Journal, 1977
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Woman arraigned for ex-husband's death, Lansing State Journal, 1977
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Heron, Kim, Abused Dansville woman helped...,, Lansing State Journal, 1977
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Leach, Hugh, Mrs. Hughes bound over to trial, Lansing State Journal, 1977
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Killer of ex-husband awaits trial, The Columbus Telegram, 1977
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White, Otis, Mrs. Hughes' children tell of beatings, threats, Lansing State Journal, 1977
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AP, 2d Man in fire death trial, Detroit Free Press
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White, Otis, Mrs. Hughes called temporarily insane, Lansing State Journal, 1977
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Michigan woman’s story of abuse forever changed America’s…, Michigan Public, 2017
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Jones, Jennifer, Chapter 4. Totaled Women: The Battered Wife…, Project Muse, 2003
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Carleton, Sue, Battered spouse case is closed, Tampa Bay Times, 1999
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Blakemore, Erin, Francine Hughes Killed Her Abusive Husband…, History, 2019
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Transcript: The Domestic Violence Case That Turned…, Retro Report, 2020
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Fletcher, Kayla, National Domestic Violence…,Stockbridge Community News, 2020
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Dozier, Vickki, Abused Michigan wife who inspired 'The Burn…, Detroit Free Press, 2017
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White, Otis, Childhood incident caused Francine..., Lansing State Journal, 1977
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Maitland, Leslie, Courts easy on rising family violence, The New York Times, 1976
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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
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Flock, Elizabeth, How Far Can Abused Women Go to Protect…,, The New Yorker, 2020
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White, Otis, Francine Hughes’ case nears jurors, Lansing State Journal, 1977
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White, Otis, Jury frees Mrs. Hughs, Lansing State Journal, 1977
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Van Der Hayden, Ute, Francine Hughes is no longer a battered wife, News-Press, 1980
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Diliberto, Gioia, A violent death, a haunted life, People, 1984
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Simmons, Emma, Police: Woman fatally shot boyfriend during argument…, ABC, 2017