pnewton:
Okay. I won’t.
I realize that this is an emotional issue for many and probably why we have such a divergent opinion. I know action must be taken in abusive relationships and would never be an advocate of inaction. It is a question of what best solves the issue of domestic violence. Divorce and separation are one answer. If ending the relationship is what is sought, then a jail sentence is the path to take.
If maintaining the relationship is desired, there are many other options. One reason I prefer sentencing options is that during a probationary period, all sorts of terms of probation may be added (such as counselling, drug testing, etc.) that will actual help to resolve the problem. Prison does not help relationships, it destroys them. I am not a fan of prison for one time offenders.
And I am not a fan of people who, in a rage, pick up a weapon capable of killing another, and assault the person they are in a “blind” rage with. The morticians have plenty of business without any help from those in a rage - men or women.
A jail sentance may be the best wake-up call she’ll ever have. Telling her without that sentance that she’ll have to go to a counselor; boy, that has lots of teeth in it, really likely to get her attention focused. She more than likely would tell you to take a flying leap.
Divorce? Who gets to be the next victim?
Quit wringing your hands like some bleeding heart liberal - I have more respect for you than that. But for the grace of God, she could have killed him. I don’t care how p’o’ed she was; picking up a frying pan and hitting someone on the head is more than sufficient to get a conviction of attempted murder.
Letting her continue on her merry way - either divorced or trying to insist that she attend counseling - is to lay either one’s own life, or someone else’s on the line the next time she gets into a “blind” rage.
Don’t get me wrong; he’s no angel either; he appears to be almost totally lacking in either dispute resolution or anger management, and I strongly suspect he may be very good at manipulating attitudes. But having said that, there is no justification whatsoever in her picking up an instrument capable of killing another and hitting him in the head.
She didn’t swing low and attempt to castrate him by force; she didn’t swing like a baseball bat and try to break some ribs or his arm. She aimed for, and connected with, his head. That is how you kill people. Can I make it any plainer?
And you think there is not enough evidence to convict of attempted murder? Not enough to overcome reasonable doubt? Do you think that rage is a defense?
“He made me mad so I hit him in the head with a frying pan, but of course I didn’t mean to kill him; I was just trying to get his attention. That’s how I always try to get the attention of someone who gets me in a rage. I just can’t help myself; he knew that, so it’s all his fault.”
She has four years to sit, very quietly, and contemplate her response to an arguement. She has 4 years to calm down, get some serious anger management classes, and make a connection between her response to the arguement and her living situation.
You suggest that a slap on the wrist isall she needs to straighten up and fly right?
