Curtis Killman

Tulsa World Reporter

An expert on domestic violence testified Wednesday that April Wilkens — who is serving a life sentence for murder — suffered from abuse that was a “substantial contributing factor in the crime” for which she was convicted.

Angela Beatty, a former director of domestic violence services at the YWCA, made the statement while testifying in Tulsa District Court during Wilkens’ resentencing hearing under the Oklahoma Survivor’s Act.

Beatty, now a vice president at YWCA, said she came to her conclusion regarding Wilkens after reviewing court documents and interviewing her.

Attorneys for Wilkens, 55, filed an application for resentencing Aug. 29, 2024, the same day the Oklahoma Survivors' Act took effect.

The Oklahoma Survivors’ Act permits judges to reduc

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