Pieper Lewis, a teenager from Iowa, was already subject to multiple sexual assaults. She was just 15 when Pieper was taken as a human trafficking victim by some nasty, evil men. The nightmare quickly ended when Pieper Lewis, a teenager from Iowa, stabbed her attacker multiple times following yet another sexual assault.
While most people would be proud of her bravery, the judge in Iowa convicted her of serious crimes for saving her life. To make matters worse, she was ordered to pay $150,000 to her former rapist’s estate. That’s right, she must pay $150,000 to the estate of the monster that repeatedly raped and raped her.
The Hill reported:
Pieper Lewis was fifteen years old when Zachary Brooks, 37, was stabbed to death. Brooks, she claims, had repeatedly raped Pieper Lewis.
She pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter, and willful injury. Although she was facing up to 20 years imprisonment, a judge gave her a deferred sentence on Tuesday that will allow her to serve five years of probation, do community service, and receive counseling.
Her conviction does not mean that she must pay $150,000 to the victim’s family.
The announcement of the restitution payment caused a backlash immediately. Social media quickly devised a way to help the teen and reward her for bravely defending herself with deadly force.
Time for Iowa to revisit its laws!
“Iowa teen Pieper Lewis ordered to pay $150K to family of accused rapist she killed.” https://t.co/1HKzv53hKS
— Katrina Pierson (@KatrinaPierson) September 14, 2022
A GoFundMe page for Lewis was set up in less than 24 hours and raised an astounding $340,000. This figure will likely rise by the time this article is published. According to Leland Schipper (the creator of the page and Lewis’ former teacher), the initial goal was $200,000. This goal was quickly defeated.
Schipper wrote:
Iowa has a law that states that anyone convicted of murdering a person regardless of the circumstances must pay 150,000 dollars to their family. This law was created to bring justice to the families of those who have lost loved ones. Pieper will have to pay 150,000 to the family of the man who bought her fifteen-year-old body, gave her drugs, and then raped it repeatedly.
Pieper doesn’t owe the family justice of that man.
GoFundMe organizer outlined exactly how the funds would be used. First, $150,000 was taken to pay the restitution. The remainder of the funds will go to pay fines and costs associated with the probation sentence. University tuition is also covered. Lewis can launch her own company if enough money is raised.
Schipper was added to the most recent update:
The funds will be used in the following ways: 1) Pay off Piepers 150k restitution 2) Pay off the additional 4k in restitution to the state 3) Remove financial barriers for Pieper in pursuing college/university or starting her own business. 4) Give Pieper the financial capacity to explore ways to help other young victims of sex crimes! Thank you! You are all amazing.
As of Thursday morning, the fundraiser had received over 8,700 individual donations. GoFundMe also shows the “top” donations for a fundraiser. Lewis has received $5,000 from several anonymous donors, along with numerous four-figure contributions. GoFundMe received a flood of messages of support.
“I’m sorry that you are being punished by a pointless law for doing the right things. You deserve a better lifestyle and the support of good people. One donor said, “I wish you nothing but success in the future.”
Another added, “I’m so sorry that this is happening to you.” You are always in my thoughts and prayers. Please move out of Iowa as soon as your probation is completed. They do not provide protection for you. Texas is an excellent state to consider.
Iowa is one of the few states without any “safe harbor” laws that would have granted victims like Lewis criminal immunity to fight back to save their own lives. Maybe that will change soon.
