ST. LOUIS — St. Louis native Lakisha Mayo dedicated a book in honor of her mother Marcia Johnson, who was killed in a domestic violence incident.
The book is titled 'The Legacy of Marcia Johnson: Breaking Violence & Generational Curses' and her goal is to raise awareness.
The crime
In April 2019, Samuel Lee Scott was charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of his wife on the same day his bond was posted by the Bail Project.
Editors note: This video aired in 2019 and Scott has since pleaded guilty.
Charging documents explained the first incident of alleged abuse happened on Jan. 6, 2019. Police said Scott hit his wife, Marcia Johnson, on the right side of her face. As she was leaving the home, she said he threatened her life because she was going to call the police. She did call the police and they listed him as wanted for the crime.
On April 5, 2019, he was arrested and charged with fourth-degree domestic assault. While he was in jail, Lee's wife attained an order of protection against him, which prohibited him from getting within 300 feet of her.
One day later, his $5,000 bail was posted by the Bail Project and police said he went to Johnson's home around 7:45 p.m. At around 11 p.m., a friend of hers brought her to the hospital after finding her bleeding from her head.
On April 9, 2019, Scott was charged with her attack.
Johnson was treated for a broken eye socket, several broken ribs, and bruises all over her body. She died on April 14.
Scott pleaded guilty in the summer of 2022. He is now serving a life sentence.
The Bail Project shared this statement this week:
“The Bail Project exists to restore the presumption of innocence and ensure that it applies equally to all, regardless of how much money one has. Poverty is not a crime, but the murder of Marcia Johnson was, and now Samuel Scott is being held accountable.”
The dedication
Lakisha Mayo, Johnson's daughter, said she was putting updates on Facebook about her mom's progress in 2019. Her mom was on a breathing machine until she died days later.
A family member reached out to Mayo saying this should be made into a book.
Daughter writes book in honor of mom murdered by husband in St. Louis
Mayo told 5 On Your Side two years went by and she started writing. The book cover has her mom's photo and it uses the color purple. Purple is associated with domestic violence awareness.
"So purple is now my favorite color, because now I have to be my mother's voice," Mayo explained.
Mayo said she wants to break generational curses, after witnessing the abuse growing up and facing it herself.
"It starts off when I was around maybe two or three how my mother was in domestic violence situations and marriages. Then up until I got into my own domestic violence situation. When I turned about 20, I met my now ex-husband. We were together for about 16 to 17 years and it was domestic violence, mental, physical and emotional for almost the whole time we were together. I decided to leave in 2018. Six months later, everything transpired with my mother in 2019," she shared.
Mayo explained they knew Scott's background of abuse toward women and they tried to get their mom out of the relationship because they knew what he was capable of.
"She was content with being there, so we kind of veered off," she said. "About a year or two later it started getting abusive, me and my sister started seeing changes. She started being silent and walking away from the family."
After her mother's death, it's been her main focus to talk about domestic violence.
"I don't want anybody else to end up in a situation that I was in nor do I want anybody to end up where my mom is. Now, my focus is based on getting the laws changed. As far as everybody knows, the Bail Project, they are a nonprofit organization that bails low-income families out of jail. I'm trying to get the laws changed as far as them looking into their background and paperwork before baling them out of jail," Mayo said.
Mayo believes her mother's death could have been prevented.
"Before the police picked him up he told my mom, 'Since you want to call the police on me, I might as well finish you off when I get out' and that's exactly what happened. I feel like if they would have known that or if they took the time to do the research on the order of protection or his background... it was just unfortunate that she lost her life because of it," she shared.
Her biggest message is for any victim to get help and try to get out in the safest way possible.
"There are resources, reach out," she said.
Mayo believes her mom telling her abuser she was leaving was a big mistake.
Domestic violence advocates encourage victims to have a safety plan.
"She had a wonderful soul. She loved family functions. She loved to be around people. She loved her daughters, me and my sister," she shared.
Now, she aims to be an advocate not only for her mom but for others too.
"I just know she's proud of me because domestic violence isn't talked about enough. I'm not stopping here. The book does not stop here. I'm trying to open up a nonprofit organization for domestic violence. My main focus is not having another person end up like her," she said.
For a link on how to purchase the book, click here.
St. Louis resources for those experiencing domestic violence
If you or someone you know needs help, you can call the Safe Connections Crisis Helpline at 314-531-2003. You can also text that number from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, free of charge.
Alternatives to Living In Violent Environments also has a crisis line at 314-993-2777, and they have a number for Franklin County at 800-941-9144.
The Women's Safe House can be reached 24 hours a day at 314-772-4535.
Saint Martha's Hall 24/7 crisis hotline is 314-533-1313 and a live advocate is available.