Ep 371:  Mica Francis: How to Manage a Coercive Controller with Attorney Regina Ward Part 1

Mica Francis was taking steps to reclaim her life and freedom. Then, on April 27 2024, she was found dead at Lumber River State Park in North Carolina. Since Mica’s death, Laura has extensively analysed the pattern of coercive control, stalking and post-separation abuse Mica reported experiencing, as well as the circumstances leading up to her death. 

Mica’s story is the focus of the Netflix documentary The Death of The Pastor’s Wife. Attorney Regina Ward was Mica’s divorce lawyer, and she appears in the documentary. John Paul Miller called her repeatedly following Mica’s death. Regina shares unique insight into John-Paul’s behaviour around the time of Mica’s death, the manipulation Mica was navigating and some of what did not make it into the Netflix documentary. 

Together, Laura and Regina unpack what was happening behind the scenes as Mica took steps to divorce from John-Paul Miller, the strategies used to manage his behaviour, Mica’s mindset during those final months and what Regina witnessed as Mica worked to regain control of her life. 

Learn how women are further entrapped in South Carolina owing to archaic and dangerous patriarchal legal processes that intentionally prevent women from leaving men who abuse them, leaving them at high risk of suicide and femicide. It’s by design and they are not even trying to change it. 

Laura and Regina share unique insights about: 

Mica’s mindset leading up to her death 

John-Paul Miller’s behaviour around the time of Mica’s death  

How best to manage a coercive controller  

Post-separation abuse, sexual coercion, coercive control, stalking and economic abuse  

Archaic laws in South Carolina leading to it being one of the top 10 dangerous states in the US for women 

Problematic restraining orders and ‘orders of protection’ in South Carolina  

Mica’s List and the behaviours Mica documented