Sandra walks back to the living room with a bottle of drink Alex requested for. .
''Here you go, '' she said placing the drink on the table.
''Who was that you were talking to back there?'' he flashed an angry look at her.
''Angela.'' she answered.
''What Angela!" he snapped. ''Why would she be calling you by this time of the night?''
''Its only 8'o clock, '' Sandra answered back, displeased at the tone of his voice.
''Still, why would she be calling?" he asked again.
''She called just to say hello, '' she answered sitting next to him. ''Why do you always question me each time I receive a call, Alex''? She asked to tease him.
''I have a right to know who you talk to.” He snapped at her.
“That’s not what I mean; you don’t trust me Alex and that is one of many issues we have in this marriage. Do you have to question everything I do?” Sandra flashed angry look at him.
“You think I don't know what you do? You save guys numbers as females names on your phone and then, you delete all messages on your phone, why then should I trust someone like you.'' he shouted.
''Alex, I don't know what you are talking about, you are so paranoid, and that makes you suspect everything and everyone.'' she said back.
Just then, a message came on Sandra's phone. Alex immediately took her phone and read it.
'Thank you for today, I really did appreciate it.' he read out and threw the phone at her hitting her face.
''Alex!" she shouted in pain.
''Who the hell is Ben?" he shouted standing up to her. ''I said, who is Ben?" He shouted. ''Now you go sleeping around and then, they have the gut to thank you for sex, is that it?” He raged at her.
“No Alex, you got it all wrong” she said fearfully.
He started hitting her all over, took the bottle of drink and poured it all over her.
''You are so disguising, '' he kept saying and hitting her.
''Ale... please....,'' she begged. ''It’s not what you think, oh God! Please stop.'' She pleaded but Alex continued hitting her. After few seconds, she was able to free herself and ran to the bathroom, locking the door behind her.
''Oh God!'' she cried. please Alex; it's not what you think.''
''Sandra!'' he shouted, banging on the door, open the door Sandra, open the door right now!'' shouting and banging on the door so hard.
''Alex please,'' Sandra cried out, afraid he would break into the bathroom. ''Please Alex, I'm not cheating on you, Please....'' she continued to cry.
After several minutes of banging on the door, he left for his room, while Sandra soaked herself into more tears.
Everything was fine for the first few months they started dating, but shortly after six months of their marriage; Alex began his rage of anger, his nagging, jealousy and then physical abuse. He promised to change time and time again and blame his work, being a police officer. It's been five years now, and the story continues. At first, Sandra thought she could change him, so she stayed until now, the toil of abuse all these years have taken away her strength to break free; although all their families and friends think of them as the best couple, and so much admire what they have; if only they knew what she was going through and the shame of falling below her own standard, but she would rather endure the pain than face her demons. Her profession as a medical doctor has taught her the danger of an abusive relationship. She has treated several victims of this abuse and knows from experience that after a series of beating, it may one day lead to death.
After few hours in the bathroom, she knew Alex would be asleep now, so she gently opened the door and went to the room. Alex was already in bed snoring away, so she quietly changed into her night wear, praying he would not wake up.
''Finally, you came to bed, '' he murmured, pulling her to himself.
''Hmmm....'' she said quietly, hoping he would drift back to sleep.
''I'm so sorry about this night; I don't know what came over me,'' he said gripping her tightly, ''so sorry honey.''
He started kissing her.
''It's okay,'' Sandra managed to say trying to stop him from touching her. She was tired of being used or even touched by him; it's enough that he beats her, but having him closer than that was much worse. But as she was trying to get his hands off her, Alex pinned her hands down on the bed, trying to take off her night wear but she struggled with him, he pushed her back on the bed, ripped off her clothes. She kept screaming for him to stop and tried pushing him away.
“Stop it Sandra!” he shouted pinning her down. “I am your husband and have the right to your body.” He shouted.
“Please Alex, not this way, please...” she said in tears.
“I will have it anyway it pleases me.” He jeers at her.
She was tired and exhausted from the beatings, after fighting so hard, she eventually just laid there like the living dead as he thrust into her. She felt the hot tears flowing from her eyes, it's a bad thing getting used to being rape all the time, rape is rape, whichever forms it takes or whoever it is.
Finally, after he was satisfied, he lay back beside her and slept off. What kind of life is it when you allow yourself to be used in this manner? She felt the tears flowing from her eyes and made no attempt to wipe them off. She entrapped and no way out. As an innocent child, she was raped repeatedly from the age of eleven to fifteen by her step father; at first she told her mother who slapped her immediately and accused her of lying to get attention. She remembered that day like yesterday, her innocent was destroyed and her mother did nothing to protect her. She later took her shopping; clothes, shoes, and all sorts, saying, 'If attention is what you want, you got it'. That statement had rang repeatedly in her ears all through this abuse and made no effort to speak out. After that incident, she never told anything to her mother, she was raped repeatedly for four more years until He left her mother for another woman.
''Hello Mum,'' she greeted her. She found her in the study working on her computer.
''Hello dear,'' Alice greeted, ''how are you honey?''
''Okay.'' she answered.
''You didn't tell me you were coming over,'' Alice said.
''I know, I was off from the hospital today and thought to come see you.'' she said
''Hmm'', Okay.” she said and continued typing.
''Mum,'' Sandra called out.'' I came to see you and you are still typing, why you don’t take a break. Let’s go outside for some air,'' Sandra said.
''I'm busy dear, no time for air; I have this disposition to summit in court tomorrow.'' she said, her fingers still hitting the keyboard.
''And dear, you are inside the house, why don't you take off your sun glasses.'' she pointed out.
Sandra didn't realise the marks on her face were so obvious until she got out of the house, so she went quickly to the store to buy a sun glasses before going over to her Mum’s.
''Oh my God! Sandra, what happened to your face?'' her mother screamed out seeing the swollen eye. .
''Oh,” Sandra sighs, “I was hit by one of my patient yesterday,'' she lied. She did always plan her story well after each beating.
''Patient?'' her mom gasped, ''why?'' she asked
''Hallucination and struggle from the patient,'' she turned her back briefly pretending to look another direction. ‘‘But it’s my fault really, I shouldn't have gone in alone,'' she fought the tears threatening to pour down her eyes. .
''Oh dear, we have to sue them, the hospital for this assault,'' Alice said, standing up to take some statute books on the shelf, ''there are so many case law for this we can.''
''Easy mum,'' Sandra said, ''no one is suing anyone here, it’s OK mum, am fine.''
''Are you sure?'' Alice asked.
''Yes I’m sure, I'm the doctor you know.'' Sandra forced a smile.
''Hmm, as you wish,'' Alice said.'' Alex must have been so angry to see this.''
''Yes he was.'' Sandra answered back.
''So can we go out now mum?'' Sandra asked, changing the subject.
''No sweetheart, sorry, I have this....''
''Disposition, I know,'' Sandra finished her sentence.
''Alright then, I will come back later.'' She said feeling disappointed.
''OK, sorry dear,'' Alice said going back to her typing.
''Bye,'' Sandra said but her mum was long gone typing. Although she admired her mum's energy and commitment to work but their relationship of mother-daughter never quite existed, with her father, it was better but he passed away when Sandra was only five years old so her mother was left with the whole responsibility of raising her all by herself but even now that She's all grown up, her mother still worked so hard, not really for the money, but habit she would say, however, this habit has gotten in a way of a better relationship between them. All she desire is just a mother to be there for her, a mother to protect her.
As she drove back home, she thought of all she has been going through, how much longer she would continue in this state. Another issue she has been trying to ignore kept coming back to her. The thought of being pregnant now scares her so much. She didn't want to bring a child to this world, although she took all necessary precautions but not to dismiss her sickness on and off for few months now; she decided to stop by the pharmacy to get a pregnancy kit.
Minutes later, she turned into the aisle when she heard someone called her.
''Hey Sandra!'' Ben called out.
''Hi!'' she was taken back. ‘Not in this state’, she thought to herself.
''Hello,'' he said again. How are you?”
“I’m good. You?” she asked.
“Good.” He replied. ''Did you get my text message?’’
''Oh yes I did,'' she answered, a flash back to what happened.
''I wanted to call but thought it might be too late, Thank you so much; my mother said you were very helpful. You know she's been so worried going to see a doctor for a while now.'' he said.
''I understand,” she replied. “The thought of having caner is enough to scare anyone but all the tests were negative.'' She smiled.
''Yes she told me.'' Ben said, “Now she would stop to worry. Thank you so much.''
''Not a problem Ben, I was just doing my job.'' she unconsciously took her glasses away from her eyes.
''Oh my!” he gasped. ''What happened to your face?''
''Oh, it's nothing, was hit by a patient; it comes with the job.'' she said laughing.
''Sorry about that.'' Ben said.'' I'm the man if you need someone to sue them.'' he said smiling.
''Oh, I would remember that '' she said laughing.
''Are you here to pick up something?'' he asked
''Yes, some vitamins,'' she lied. ''Oh, here it is.'' picking up some vitamins on the shelf.
Ben taking it off her with the couple of things he picked up for himself, ''It would be my pleasure, although small but please, let me pay for it'', he said
Sandra smiled at his gesture. They both walked to the cashier and paid for the items.
''Thank you Ben,'' Sandra said taking her item back.
‘‘My pleasure.'' He said.
The both walked back to their cars
Just as Ben drove out of the parking lot, Sandra went back into the store, picked up the pregnancy kit, after paying for it; she went into the toilet in the store to use it. Her mind winding up and down as she waited for the result, afraid to look, she took it into her bag, went out of the store and drove home. The few minutes later, she was stuck in traffic. Then she heard her phone ring; checking her bag to pick it up, she saw the pregnancy stick and finally took the courage to look at it. ‘Positive!’ her heart pounding so fast.
.........................
Few hours after Sandra had confirmed that she was definitely pregnant. She was so scared; unsure of what to do, so many questions ran through her mind. Was she ready to bring a child into this world of hers, even her thought seems selfish of her but she knew that, whatsoever her decision is, her life was about to take a great turn. Another issue she battled with was if she was ready to tell Alex. Telling your Spouse he's about to be a father is supposed to bring a happy glorious feeling, a time to celebrate each other and thank God for his blessings but in her own case, it's a dreading feelings.
After a week, things were better than worse between them, they both went to their separate jobs. At the end of the week, Sandra made up her mind to tell him she is Pregnant. After doing her rounds in the hospital, about to take her leave, she was called in for an emergency operation, she tried calling Alex that she would be late but he didn't pick his phone so she text him instead. At around 3:00am, they finished the surgery with success and thought it was unsafe to go home, so she went in to one of the empty room to sleep.
Immediately her alarm rang at 6:00am, she hurried to her car and drove home.
''Good morning,'' she greeted him as she entered the sitting room. ''I'm sorry about yesterday, had to work late.'' She apologised.
''Work late indeed.'' Alex flashed an angry look. ''I called the hospital and was told your surgery ended at 3:00am, so where were you?'' he asked in an angry voice.
''It was late so I decided to sleep back and wait till the morning.'' She said
''You lying whore! Is that what you call sleep back; going to meet your boyfriends, or what do you call them '' he shouted again.
''How can you say such a thing, I finished my surgery late and thought it would be dangerous driving at that hour so decided to sleep back at the hospital.'' she defended herself.
''You are lying.'' he shouted walking towards her.
Sandra knew she wasn't going to get free from this, so seeing him furious and coming at her, she took her bag and ran out of the house before he could get to her. She could hear him shouting after her but she continued to run out of the compound, to the street, ran as fast she could. She knew Alex would not chase her further into the street, so when she got to the main road, she hailed for a cab and headed straight to her Mum's place.
........................................................
''What are you doing here.'' Alice asked in shocked seeing Sandra this early.
Sandra sat down bursting into tears.
''What is it dear?'' she asked again.
''Mum, I am tired. I can't stand it any longer, I can't live with Alex.'' she cried out
''What happened dear; we can sort it out.'' Alice said
''Mum , there's no solution in this, I cannot stay with a man that beat me all the time.'' she cried out.
''Okay, take it easy, I should call Alex now and resolve this issue.'' she said picking up her phone.
''No.'' Sandra shouted. ''You just don't understand Mum, I don't want Alex.'' she shouted at her.
''Don't you dare shout at me young lady.'' Alice shouted back at her. ''I am your mother and know the best for you. Alex is a good man and he is good for you. Everyone has issues in their relationship but we must all find a way to live peacefully with each other, not running away at the sight of any trouble''.
Alice eventually called Alex to come see her at once. Sandra knew she did made a mistake coming to her mother, a mother is suppose to have her child's back irrespective but her mother was the opposite. Just as Alice was still talking to Sandra, Alex came in.
''Good morning Ma.'' he greeting Alice respectfully.
''Morning Alex.'' she answered. ''So what happened between you two?'' she asked.
''I am so sorry she bothered you Ma, we only had a little misunderstanding, only for her to run off.''
''See,'' she turned to Sandra, ''only a misunderstanding. You two should go home and discuss this matter. A man and a woman should always find a common ground to resolve dispute.'' she said. ''Come, off you go, waving them to stand up. I have a meeting at the office this morning; but would come by later to your house to talk more, Okay.'' she said
''Yes ma.'' Alex said standing up.
''Now give me a hug before you go.'' she beckons to Sandra.
As Sandra held her, she whispered to her mother, ''Please, don't let me go with him.''
''Don't be dramatic.'' she said smiling.
There was so much tension between them on their way back home, Sandra knew it wasn’t over between them and the show he put forward to her mum was his style, always give her mum what she wanted, the respect, responsible man, but his wild dogs hidden inside. She wanted a way out. This was not the first time she did ran away, two years ago when things became so heated that she need an escape, after series of abuse, physically, verbally, emotionally even sexually. One day, she left for work and didn't come back; she was lodging in hotel for almost two weeks. Her plans were well executed until one day, she heard a knock, opening the door, she found Alex standing there. He begged and threatens her at the same time. She had no idea how he traced her.
Alex drove them into their compound, came off the car and dragged Sandra out of the car, pulling her inside; he locked the door behind them and hid the keys in his pocket.
''You don't just get it, don't you?'' he screamed at her.
''If I can't have you, no one will. You are mine and I can do whatever I like with you.'' he shouted at her throwing her on the floor.
''What is it with you.'' he screamed, ''Why can't you be a little nice girl and listen for once.” he shouted taking off his belt.
''You know what we do to girls like you, hmm?” he shouted hitting her. ''We teach them the word 'respect', 'Not to talk back to their husbands'. We teach them to behave.'' he shouted.
''Please Alex.'' she begged.
He kept hitting her all over
''Stop this please...'' she cried in pain. ''Please Alex; for Christ sake, stop this!'' she begged
But he kept hitting her harder, she managed to run off to the room, locked herself in but he came after her hitting hard on the door, she knew the door was not strong enough to keep him off, so she looked everywhere for something she could use to defend herself. Alex kept banging on the door, screaming abusive words at her, hitting so hard that the door was breaking. Sandra looked through the room but found nothing, so she checked through his side drawer and found his gun. By this time, Alex had broken through the door, so Sandra pointed the gun to herself.
''Don't come any closer or I will shoot myself.'' she said panting.
''What!'' he laughed. ''Go ahead and shoot yourself, you think anyone would care about you,'' he mocked her. ''Even your own mother would not cry at your grave.'' he kept mocking her
Tears flowed from her eyes as Alex kept haunting her with his words, part of her believed him, she knew it would be a wasted life if she did kill herself but she wanted an escape from all these, she wanted freedom from this pain and then, she remembered her baby and then pointed the gun at Alex, who was trying to move closer to her.
''You know, I have watched you all these years abusing me, I did take it. I took everything you threw at me but enough is enough. I am no longer under you, I refuse to stand by and watch you destroy my life. I am taking my freedom.''
''Now, let me leave.'' she shouted.
''You really like to amuse yourself.'' he said laughing. ''Listen and listen carefully, If I don't have you, no one will. You will never and never go anywhere.'' he shouted at her.'' I own your life, your body, your will, your soul, and everything you ever have or will have, I own them all. Now, give me the gun.” he shouted.
''No!'' she shouted back. ''I want out Alex.'' she screamed at him.
''I said, give me the gun.'' he shouted again moving closer to her.
''Don't come any closer.'' he shouted again at him, but Alex ignored her.
BANG! she shot him, again, BANG!! she shot again, kept firing the gun screaming, ''you don't own me, not my life, not my will, not my soul..........' Bang!!!, Bang.......
Then she felt dizzy and blacked out.
...............................................................................
The sound of a familiar beeping woke Sandra up; found herself laying in bed with strings of drip attached to her, then she saw Ben standing next to her bed.
''Oh God!'' she said. ''What have I done?''
''Hey.'' Ben said.
''What are you doing here?'' she managed to ask.
''You don't remember, do you?'' he asked.
''Alex,'' she whispered. ''Where is Alex?'' she asked
But Ben was silence.
''Dead, is he?'' she asked.
''Yes.'' he nodded. “The neighbours called the police after hearing some hot fire.”
“i.....”Sandra looked down to her stomach, ''My baby,'' she asked.
''Yes, your baby is well. You were dehydrated but you would be fine.''
''Glad you are Okay.'' Ben said.
''Okay is an understatement Ben; I just shot my husband.'' she said. ''Tell me, how much trouble am I in?'' Sandra asked
''Well, it depends; you will have to tell me everything that happened.'' he said
''Everything?” She asked.
''Yes, everything.'' he answered
But Sandra was quiet as tears flowed from her. ''Ben, I am so ashamed of myself, I don't even know where to start from.'' she cried.
''Listen Sandra, I am going to fight for you as long as you want, OK. You will have to trust me on this. I know you have been abused; the doctors found some bruising on your body, both old and new. Something must have happened in there and you have got to trust me.” He stared into her eyes to get her full confident.
Sandra told Ben everything that happened, her abuse from Alex for the past five years, just then, her mother entered the room.
''Sandra!'' she shouted, ''sweetheart, what happened? She Brush Ben away from Sandra's bedside. Have you seen outside, Police guarding the door, every News channel at the gate? What in God's name have you done to yourself? Why didn't you call me? What have you done Sandra?'' she shouted at her. ''And who are you?” she pointed at Ben.
''His name is Ben and He's my Lawyer.'' Sandra replied her.
''What Lawyer?” she asked.
''I'm with Allen and co Solicitor Ma.'' Ben answered.
''I know Allen & co and know you superiors.'' she snapped at him. ''Now, get out of here, my daughter already has her own lawyer.''
''No mum.'' Sandra shouted. ''I have had enough of your smothering. Your time of controlling me is expired. I cannot take it any longer mum.'' she shouted at her. ''I wanted you to protect me, watch over me, but you failed. You were busying building an empire for yourself.''
''What do you mean?” she shouted back, whatever I did, I did it for you, all I have or I am is because of you.'' Alice said.
''No mum, all you have are all for you, they were never for me.'' she screamed at her mother. I begged you to please, not to let Alex take me home, but no, you knew it all. You were never there mum.'' she shouted in rage.
''You remember when I told you your husband raped me repeatedly; what did you do mum?'' she shouted at her.
''Don't you dare bring that up Sandra, you were just a child, Frank could never have laid his hands on you.'' she said.
''Oh, really,'' she shouted. “Mum, I begged you then not to leave me alone with him when you travelled; I cried, but no, you knew it all. You left me at his mercy, he raped me for five good years and you never caught him; you said, I was seeking attention, hmm.” she chuckled. You have made my life a living hell, and you know what? I hate you. I hate so much. I hate what you did to me.” Sandra was shouting, she had to let out all you had bottled inside herself for so long.
“You know the first day I knew I wanted to become a doctor?” she asked, but her mother didn't answer.
“One day, you were in your study, busy writing. I came to you telling you I was having stomach cramps; you said, I was probably having sugar reaction, you even told me I was getting too fat and needed to go on diet, then you went back to your typing. After few hours in my room, the pain became unbearable and then, I realised I was having contractions, I did a quick calculation to the day Frank left, that was five months ago, I was pregnant, I did not know, even my mother had no idea. The pain was too much to bear; I could not bear to call my own Mother who didn't even believe I was raped.” She cried out.
“I crawled to the bathroom and struggled to climb into the bath tub; the pain was so unbearable, contraction after contraction, at about 4:00am, and the baby finally came. He was blue in the face, not breathing. He was tiny but so precious. I stared at him for a long time; I knew He was gone. Before you woke up, I struggled to wash the blood from the tub and the floor, wrapped him in towels and waited for you to leave for the office. After that, I put him in a shoe box, went to the garden, dug a hole and buried him there.
''Did you know mother? I had a miscarriage mom.” She looked straight at her
''Did you?” she shouted in tears again but Alice was silence, filled with shame.
'''No, I doubt it.'' Sandra said, “just like you didn't know Alex was beating me, the marks on my face, the ones on my body, the marks I lied the patients inflicted on me,” she chuckled. No, you never knew.'' she said in tears.
''Sandra,'' Alice finally was able to say.
''Mum, please.'' she stopped her from talking further.
''Please, leave my room now.'' she said.
''Sandra Please,'' her mother pleaded as tears flowed from her eyes
''No Mum, it’s over, please leave me alone now.'' she shouted until Alice left the room. Sandra busted into more tears........
.................................
Sandra had been charged with the Murder of Alex; the trial has been going on for two months while Sandra was remanded in jail. At the final hearing. Alice on the witness box.
''Ms Williams, Did your daughter ever tell you the deceased, Alex Brendon was physically abusing her?'' the prosecution asked.
''She didn't have to tell me, it was all over her.'' she said.
''You didn't answer my question, did she at any point voice out to say Alex was abusing her?''Prosecution asked again.
Alice looked at her daughter.
''She did but I never listened. A mother needs to know these things, when their daughter is in pain, they should be able to sense it,'' she said in tears.'' I failed my daughter.'' She said in tears. “she told me constantly with her tears, her visit, her words but I was lost in my own world. I am sorry,” she said to Sandra. “I am so sorry.”
The prosecution rest.
Ben decided it was best to present Sandra on the stand, after telling the jury and the members of the Court what happened the day she shot Alex.....,
''So Miss Sandra, Why didn't you leave despite all these abuses?'' Ben asked.
''I did tried to leave several times but he always come back for me; threaten me, begged. I was scared of what he was capable of doing.'' Sandra said.
''Why didn't you report him to the authorities?'' Ben asked.
''Alex was the authority; He was one of the top Police officer. I knew no one would believe me if I told the truth.''
''Now Miss Sandra, did you mean to kill Alex?'' Ben asked.
''No, I did not; all I wanted was to leave.'' She said.
''No further question.'' Ben said and sat down.
''Your witness.'' the judge said to the prosecution.
''Miss Sandra, You said, you didn't mean to kill Alex but you shot him five times. A first could be said to be a mistake, a second, What? third, fourth and ...''
''Objection, speculations.'' Ben injected.
''I am trying to established that Miss Sandra intended to kill Mr Alex here your honour.'' the prosecutor said to the Judge.
''Objection overruled.'' the judge said.
''So Miss Sandra, once again, didn't you intent to kill your husband?'' the prosecution asked.
''No, I did not.'' Sandra shouted in tears. ''He was attacking me, he took off his belt to hit me.'' she shouted again.
''Couldn't you at least call the Police.'' the prosecution injected.
''No, I couldn't. He was the Police. He slain me like an animal, I pleaded always, I cried, I begged. Sometimes, he tells me to remove my clothes, handcuffed me to the bed and slashed me with his belt, then, he rapes over and over again, so hard that I sometimes pass out. Tell me, where is the police in that? He tells me he likes the pain to live, to breath.'' Sandra cried out. ''He beats me so hard that I couldn't move for days and watches me as I drown in my pains. You want to see?” she shouted out in tears, standing up, taking off her clothes. “You want to see the pains he inflicted on me?” she cried out. “I just wanted him to stop, I am pregnant for Christ sake, I wanted to protect my baby.” she shouted out in tears.
The prosecution watched in shocked as Sandra took off her clothes to show the marks on her body, those on her swollen belly, the Judge shouting for order, everyone in the court room shocked at this reaction. Alice shouting for them to stop tormenting her daughter. Then, Ben went over to Sandra, taking off his jacket to cover her.
''May I ask the Court for Recess your honour?'' Ben asked.
''Yes, Recess for 15 minutes.'' Judge said and went out.
Sandra was so much in tears that Ben had to hold her, while Alice who couldn't bear to see her daughter in such state went over and held her tightly.
''I am so sorry honey.'' she said in tears
''I am very sorry, please, forgive me. I should have been there, Please.'' she sobbed as she held her.
.................
After the prosecution presented his closing argument, Ben also presented his...
''In conclusion to all this, It is evident that Sandra was victim of the battered women syndrome. She was repeatedly battered by Alex and as a result of provocation, She shot him. Day by day, she was battered, but on this day, the deceased had provoke her so much that he threaten to kill her and the defendant fearing not just for her life, but for the life of her baby shot him in defending them both. Question is who is the victim here? My defendant is. We ask that you, ladies and gentlemen of the jury should look into this case with all wisdom.” Ben finished his statement.
The Jury went inside for deliberation and came back an hour later.
''Have the Jury reach their verdict?'' the judge asked.
''Yes, your honour.''
''You may read it.'' the Judge said.
''We the Jury find the defended, not guilty of Murder, but guilty of Manslaughter.''
''Thank you.'' the Judge said. ''You are all excused.''
After the Jury were sent away, the Judge continued with his proceedings.
“I have read and heard from both parties and so find the defendant Sandra Brendon guilty of manslaughter, however, by her defence of provocation and evidence of battered woman syndrome, is hereby released of all charges.”
Alice went over to her daughter and hugged her. Sandra was swelled up in tears, relieved. She thanked Ben over and over again for believing in her and his support.
Although, her medical licence has been revoked but she knew she has all she needed now. Her faith in herself and in God. Preparing a better relationship with God who is able to restore all she did have lost, renew her and make her whole. She looked forward to the days ahead with joy and uttermost peace. She looked forward to having her baby in her hands, nurturing her and giving her the best in life, not forgetting that, God is the giver of peace and able to protect her child and give her wisdom to train her. She also decided to forgive her mother, we are all humans and bound to fail but we have a Father that would never forsake us. Although, she regret her actions of killing Alex, maybe, she should have dealt with it better than this but in all, she continued to seek the face of God for forgiveness.
The End.
Shalom.
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