When Ross put his hand around my arm during an argument, he had no intention of causing a bruise. His grip on my arm lasted less than a second, and he instantly released it when I told him to. Ross repeatedly apologized, took responsibility for his actions and has been a willing participant in counseling.
Neither before nor after the incident has Ross come close to demonstrating violent behavior. Yet, the domestic violence prevention establishment, a potent political force in this city, is having none of it. Without knowing me, much less consulting me, they have determined that I am incapable of knowing my own husband and that my defense of him is the result of delusional thinking.
That is the height of condescending paternalism - and a tremendous disservice to the very important issue of domestic violence. This feeling seems to be shared by many domestic violence victims who have approached me with gestures of support and outrage at how my family and I have been treated.
While my husband's opponents are happy to use me to discredit him, I am not to be trusted when I defend Ross. That's because to believe me would undermine their view that all acts of domestic violence are created equal. Ross' detractors once claimed that he should be removed from office for allegedly dissuading witnesses. When the Ethics Commission unanimously cleared him of those charges, opponents were left only with the remaining argument that Ross himself offered back in March: a plea to a low-level nonviolent misdemeanor.
Prosecutors say Mirkarimi inflicted a large bruise on Lopez's arm during an argument in their Western Addition home New Year's Eve, and that she showed the bruise the next day to a neighbor who videotaped it. Lopez has consistently denounced the criminal case, at one point calling it politically motivated, and she supported Mirkarimi's attempts to lift a stay-away order so he could visit the couple's 2-year-old son.
Canny's fear is that if Lopez testifies without immunity - and says, for example, that the couple did indeed have a loud, physical fight - she could be hit with a child endangerment charge because the boy was there at the time. Canny is also looking to protect Lopez from any attempts by federal authorities to ship her back to her native Venezuela.
As much as the district attorney wants Lopez to testify, said Peter Keane , Golden Gate University Law School professor and former public defender, "it's going to be awfully chancy for the prosecution. Either way, if Lopez's impassioned appearances to date are any indication, it's going to be quite a show.
Down on Brown: The honeymoon appears to be fading between Gov. You may also like. Jacob Anderson-Minshall. View all posts. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Close Privacy Overview This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website.
We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies.
0コメント