[Sunflower]

In my somewhat cynical opinion believe half of what you hear and all of what you see.

[uujudy]

Originally Posted by mariab

Wait until you finally meet me....you will understand....I want to know everything about everyone!!! I ask a lot of questions....my fault....but it helps me make a lot of money...can't help it.....

Whoa! Mariab! We have to know! HOW does it help you make a lot of money? Are you an undercover reporter for the National Inquirer? Blackmailer? Paparazzi/o?
Inquiring minds want to know! ???
And I'm looking for a part-time job... Are you hiring?

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by chelsea24

I had to call the sheriff's office during our move here. (Very disreputable company and way to long of a story to repeat here.) But I can't say enough good things about the Sumter County Sheriff's Office. They arrived immediately, took charge and resolved our problem with the mover's on the spot. (Much to the mover's chagrin!) As far as a domestic dispute goes, I agree that they were acting in the "better safe than sorry" mode. We had a wonderful police department in Bloomingdale, Illinois and the Sumter County Sheriff's office is even tougher.

Yes, there are great holes in this story. He could have had previous charges on his record for domestic violence. I also agree that many many battered women would not speak against their husbands or boyfriends. And I know in Chicago, from a girlfriend, that even when she did not want to press charges against a boyfriend, it didn't matter. The State pressed the charges.

I say good for the Sheriff's office! :bigthumbsup:

I absolutely agree Chelsea!! The story seems strange....right from the beginning I wondered. I was surprised that anyone "flew out on the lanai from opening the slider at the same time".

Plus, My grandfather who raised me was a police officer for 37 years. It is really hard for me not to root for them, even though many now are not cut from the same cloth.

You know the old line, if it looks like...........and smells like........

[SteveZ]

Originally Posted by mariab

Out of pure interest about this case I tracked the woman down...I actually met her where she works....and I will talk to anyone....

Anyway....apparently there was no court hearing...he went through something called a PTI and this is not uncommon in Sumter county...
......

Pre-Trial Intervention (PTI) is usually available to first-time offenders, and if the terms (whatever the "sentence" is) are fulfilled, then there is no criminal record. It works somewhat like a "plea bargain," and the idea is to offer "rehabilitation" in situations where it looks like it will work. That's the good side.

The bad side is that sometimes it's more of an economic decision made by the accused, as the legal costs to obtain PTI are far less than going to trial (even if you are found not guilty, it does cost!). So, people do accept PTI as an alternative to the notoriety and costs associated with becoming a defendant in a criminal trial.

In my past work life (before this latest DC venture) I handled several spouse abuse cases, and they all sickened me. There really is no stereotypical spouse abuser (you just can't "spot them") and the intimidation factor exercised by the abuser is often immense. Also, there were a number of times the abused spouse wanted to protect the abuser out of love, fear, security....... That being said, there were a couple of cases where the supposed abused spouse was actually shamming as part of a blackmail scheme. It just takes all kinds! ! !

The moral of the story - keep your temper and don't let things escalate so far that "accidents happen."