Deborah Denise Peagler (December 27, 1959, in Pensacola, Florida – June 8, 2010, in Compton, California[1]) was a battered woman who was in prison from 1983 to 2009 for her involvement in the murder of Oliver Wilson, the man who abused her, forced her into prostitution, and molested her daughters.

Prosecutors threatened to pursue a death sentence against her, and her attorney urged her to plead guilty in order to save her life.

The law gives battered women in prison the chance for a new hearing if the original court never considered evidence relating to abuse.

[5] In 2008, a California Superior Court Judge removed Los Angeles District Attorney Steve Cooley's entire office from Peagler's case due to allegations of misconduct and conflicts of interest.

In February 2009, Peagler was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer, and her lawyers attempted to win her release on bail, but the judge declined the request on technical grounds.