By now, most people have probably heard of Barbara Sheehan, the self-made widow who was married to an ex-cop, until she came upon him while shaving, and fired his gun into him. Sheehan's defense was that she had been beaten by her husband for years; that he had intimidated her, told her there was nowhere to run, or hide. And, she says, she finally had enough; that she left the house, went to a neighbor's, came back, and shot him while he was shaving.
This defense is called battered women's syndrome, where a woman feels like there is truly nowhere to run, and nowhere to hide, and there is only one way out.
Using this defense, Sheehan was declared not guilty of murder.
For those women looking at Sheehan's case, and contemplating doing something similar, a few things should be mentioned.
For women who fall into the category of abused, please know this: You do not, repeat, do not, have “nowhere to run, nowhere to hide.” It simply isn't true. It may feel like that, but there are not only women's shelters, but there are also groups that have a sort of underground railroad system to funnel abused women to other places, and even change their identities.
In the case of an abusive relationship, killing the bastard in question is an option. It's not a legal option, and not necessarily a good option, but it is an option. It is a really good option during the course of an actual physical confrontation – in which case, defend yourself as needed (see previous articles for definition of “as needed”).
However, leaving the house after an attack, and returning to kill the abuser, like Sheehan – that is usually seen less as self defense, and more like assassination; it is not stoping an attack, it is a revenge killing.
As previously mentioned, in some states, “he needed killing” is a viable defense. Usually, that is not the case in New York City. The case of Barbara Sheehan is a strange case … for example, She left the house and came back. Usually, this would be the death knell of any defense case, since the accused is considered able to leave the site of the abuse, and she didn't have to come back.
In short, Babara Sheehan got lucky. If you should find yourself in this situation, do not think “Well, this other lady got away with it, so can I.” Having that thought proves that you have the mental capacity for objective reasoning. That's not self defense, that's premeditated murder.
And, notice, while Sheehan was acquitted of the murder charges, she had to turn herself in recently because she is now facing gun charges ... even though, when last one noticed, she killed her husband with HIS gun, not one in her possession. Which goes to show that what is mentioned in previous articles is true: defending yourself in New York is a risky proposition.
But, then again, there is the old proverb, better to be judged by twelve, then carried by six.
Be safe.
*****
If you, or someone you know, is in an abusive situation, get help.
There are only a few of the numbers available in New York City posted below.
(888) 4 WOSMIN
1.800.621.HOPE (4673)
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