Help Sami Norman Seek Justice Against Violence

I am Sami's Mom and I am making this for her, but she can tell her story better than I can.

Hi, my name is Samantha Norman, and I’m a 20-year-old woman from North Carolina. I am reaching out for help to take a legal stand against my ex-boyfriend who brutally beat me three weeks ago. I have been a victim of a physically and mentally abusive relationship for the last five years.

I am moving states away so that I can be safe because he still walks free in Randolph County, NC. Along with moving far away from my family to be safe, I will have travel expenses back to NC and legal fees to continue the battle to put him in prison so that he can’t hurt anyone else. He lives in a county where his grandfather was the sheriff for many years. His family has a reputation for getting away with crimes.

One month ago, I experienced the most terrifying moment of my life. My now ex-boyfriend, Gatlin Hurley, strangled me until I lost consciousness and wouldn’t allow me to call for help. His grandfather, who lived with us, also told me not to call for help because of what Gatlin might do if the police came, encouraging me to keep quiet about it. Just a few days later, Gatlin attacked me again, beating me as I drove us down the road because I wouldn’t pull over to let him drive. We were leaving a bar, and he was drunk. I pulled into a business parking lot, and he began to bite me in numerous places along the side of my body, including my upper thigh, punching me in the face and upper torso because he couldn’t drag me from the car. A friend of ours who came out stopped him at this point, and I escaped to hide under parked cars. It was dark, and he moved away from the vehicle, so I ran and jumped in to drive away.

I left that night with the clothes I had on and my dog Kip, and I will never go back.

Prior to this catastrophic occurrence, I lived in fear of him for the safety of my family, my pets, and even myself. He was verbally and physically abusive to me, in public and in front of many witnesses. The police had been called by other people to my rescue. I was afraid for my life and for the life of anyone who tried to help me leave him. Multiple times he put a gun to my horse’s head and my dog’s head to threaten me, so I believed what he said.

Since this occurred, I have not been able to retrieve any of my belongings. Gatlin got out of jail on a $2,500 bond paid by a family member. He spent one night in jail and is now trying to fight the charges. He has currently been charged with felony strangulation and two counts of domestic violence against a female. I have to hire a lawyer to advocate for me in a town where this family is well known and I am not, and ensure he faces the consequences of his actions. I want to fight for justice, not just for myself but for anyone who might become his next victim.

I am asking for your support to raise $5,000 for legal fees. This money will help me hire an attorney to build a strong case against him and hopefully prevent him from hurting anyone else. No one deserves to live in fear, and I am determined to take a stand.

How You Can Help:

If you can contribute, any amount would be greatly appreciated. If you cannot donate, please share my story with your friends and family. Your support means the world to me and gives me hope for a safer future.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story. Together, we can make a difference.