Donna Hylton
| Donna Hylton | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 29, 1964 Kingston, Jamaica |
| Known for | Murder of Thomas Vigliarolo, post-prison activism |
| Criminal charge | Murder |
| Criminal penalty | 27 years incarceration |
Donna Hylton (born October 29, 1964) is a Jamaican-American convicted murderer and rights activist. Hylton served a 27 year prison sentence in Bedford Hills Correctional Facility for Women (Department Identification Number 86G0206)[1] for her role in the kidnapping, torture, and murder of Thomas Vigliarolo, a Long Island businessman.
Contents
Biography[edit]
Murder of Thomas Vigliarolo[edit]
In 1985, Hylton and two accomplices drugged and kidnapped 62-year-old Long Island real-estate broker Thomas Vigliarolo, and held him prisoner for 15-20 days. While imprisoned, Vigliarolo was starved, burned, beaten, sexually assaulted, raped and tortured by three men and four women, including Hylton. It was Hylton who delivered a ransom note and tape to a friend of Vigliarolo, leading to her capture.[2] She was convicted of second degree murder, two counts of first-degree kidnapping, and sentenced to 25 years to life, ultimately serving 27 years, after losing appeals. Her involvement in the high-profile case was the subject of a 1995 article in Psychology Today magazine.[2] As noted in the Psychology Today article, when asked about forcibly sodomizing the victim with a three foot steel pole, one of Hylton's accomplices replied: 'He was a homo anyway.'[3] Hylton was released after serving 27 years of her sentence.
Post prison activism[edit]
Following her release, Hylton earned a bachelor's and master's degrees from Mercy College.[4] Focusing on judicial reform and issues facing incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women and girls, she draws a correlation between gender-based violence and sexual abuse as a direct link to the choices, circumstances, and actions which result in incarceration. She has advocated for the "humanitarian" release of aging prisoners.[5]
In 2016 it was announced that Rosario Dawson was attached to a movie version of Hylton's life story entitled A Little Piece of Light. The film is in development, in search of a screenwriter and director.[6]
In January 2017, Hylton was a featured speaker at the Women's March on Washington[7][8] which caused much controversy due to her criminal conviction.
References[edit]
- ^ New York Department of Corrections and Community Supervision
- ^ a b Neimark, Jill (July 1, 1995). "Crime and Punishment?". Retrieved January 23, 2017.
- ^ Prestigiacomo, Amanda. "Report: Featured Women’s March Speaker Once Kidnapped, Raped and Tortured Man to Death". DailyWire.com. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
- ^ "ROSARIO DAWSON ATTACHED TO PLAY WOMEN’S RIGHTS ACTIVIST DONNA HYLTON IN BIOPIC". November 10, 2016. Retrieved February 1, 2017.
- ^ Blakinger, Keri (March 9, 2016). "Keeping rehabilitated inmates behind bars makes a mockery of America's so-called justice system".
- ^ Busch, Anita. "Rosario Dawson Attached To Play Activist Donna Hylton In 'A Little Piece Of Light'". Retrieved January 23, 2017.
- ^ "Speakers". Retrieved January 23, 2017.
- ^ "Donna Hylton on women's march". January 21, 2017. Retrieved March 13, 2017.
External links[edit]
- Profile, psychologytoday.com
- Official website
- Account of arrest in slaying of Vigliarolo, nytimes.com; accessed January 31, 2017.[[[Category:Mercy College (New York) alumni]]
