Original Air Date:
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Guests:
Oprah welcomed Marie Walsh, formerly Susan Lafevre, to share her story of living a double life for 32 years; hiding her secret from her family - her escape from a Michigan prison at 19.
Show Summary:
As with many other controversial topics covered on The Oprah Show, Oprah presents a subject or interview with the intent of letting the person or story speak for itself and the viewers to decide for themselves what to believe.
This episode with Marie Walsh, formerly Susan Lafevre, was no different as Oprah presented her story of being on the run from authorities for 32 years. The life Marie Walsh lived during those 32 years is what forms the subjective question for viewers whether it's right for someone to have their sentence shortened for their charged crime based on their behavior after committing yet another crime. The lines are blurry and likely public opinion would be split somewhere down the middle, but Marie Walsh shared her experience and the feelings of her family after her years of running came to an end.
Special Highlights:
What to Take Away from the Show:
While Marie was sentenced to a long prison stay and escaped, the life she lived after was completely by the books -- a loving wife and mother, a law abiding citizen for decades -- did Marie Walsh get off easy or did she spend more time in prison than she actually deserved? This episode was able to present Marie Walsh's story in her own words while also providing some of the back story that led to her initial arrest, which allows viewers to draw their own conclusions. Regardless, Marie Walsh is now free after her 13 month stay and is rebuilding her family's security, able to put her past behind her. Marie's story can be found in her book, A Tale of Two Lives.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Guests:
Oprah welcomed Marie Walsh, formerly Susan Lafevre, to share her story of living a double life for 32 years; hiding her secret from her family - her escape from a Michigan prison at 19.
Show Summary:
As with many other controversial topics covered on The Oprah Show, Oprah presents a subject or interview with the intent of letting the person or story speak for itself and the viewers to decide for themselves what to believe.
This episode with Marie Walsh, formerly Susan Lafevre, was no different as Oprah presented her story of being on the run from authorities for 32 years. The life Marie Walsh lived during those 32 years is what forms the subjective question for viewers whether it's right for someone to have their sentence shortened for their charged crime based on their behavior after committing yet another crime. The lines are blurry and likely public opinion would be split somewhere down the middle, but Marie Walsh shared her experience and the feelings of her family after her years of running came to an end.
Special Highlights:
- In 1973 Susan Lafevre was a typical teenager of the 70s and experimented in drugs, but when she was arrested for allegedly selling two and a half grams of heroin, her normal life came crashing down.
- Susan pled guilty, expecting to be given probation, but was sentenced to the maximum sentence at the time, 10-20 years in prison.
- Devastated by her fate and suicidal after spending months in jail, Susan's grandfather helped her escape by climbing over a barbed wire fence.
- Fleeing to California, Susan started her life over as Marie and nine years later she met her husband and raised three children - making sure to stay under the radar as her past remained her secret.
- In 2008 Marie was discovered and her two worlds crashed into one another as she was sent to Michigan to serve her sentence.
- Though Marie was in jail for 13 months her family was torn apart and while it is getting stronger with her return, the solid foundation Marie's children once knew was shaken.
What to Take Away from the Show:
While Marie was sentenced to a long prison stay and escaped, the life she lived after was completely by the books -- a loving wife and mother, a law abiding citizen for decades -- did Marie Walsh get off easy or did she spend more time in prison than she actually deserved? This episode was able to present Marie Walsh's story in her own words while also providing some of the back story that led to her initial arrest, which allows viewers to draw their own conclusions. Regardless, Marie Walsh is now free after her 13 month stay and is rebuilding her family's security, able to put her past behind her. Marie's story can be found in her book, A Tale of Two Lives.
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