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:
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
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
