I found out Tuesday that this time, the prosecutor was not willing to settle on this one, that it needed to go to a higher court, but before it could happen, I
had to testify in front of a judge.
I was so very scared, anxious...mostly about seeing him. I called the domestic assault shelter, and they sent an advocate to go to court with me, so I had her support as well as the victim's advocate that works at the courthouse. I had to tell my story and answer any questions the prosecutor had, as well as take questions from his attorney. It was hard not to feel attacked when his attorney came after me ~ but the prosecutor told me to keep telling myself "I am not the one on trial". I started to break down twice, but I stayed strong, and followed through. I never made eye contact with him, I kept my eye on the prosecutor/his attorney. I looked at him twice, when I could see out of the corner of my eye he wasn't looking. It makes me sad to see him that way...I just want to grab him and say "wake UP!". It would do no good anyway.
It felt very good yesterday, to be surrounded by other adults who are "normal", in that they validated me...let me know I was doing the right thing, and that none of it was my fault. They all just said and did the right things to help me through that.
His attorney called his mom and his friend Adam (his user friend) as a witness ~ funny they weren't even there. His mom lied for him, she told them there was no gun in the house. It amazes me she will do ANYTHING to cover for him...his whole family will. His younger sister approached me at our gas station yesterday morning and told me there is no way she believes her brother would pull a gun on himself...I told her I really didn't care if they believed me or not...it happened. But had you asked me a year ago if I was afraid Chris would ever pull a gun on himself, my answer would be no way.
The judge believed my testimony, so this case has been "bound over" to a higher court. They denied his motion for a bond reduction.
I picked up paperwork, and have decided to get a PPO. I am going to start attending support groups, and work one on one with an advocate...they offer these services for free.
I saw my therapist last night (I hadn't seen her in 2 weeks), so I had an earful for her. She is really helping me work on some of my issues.
I was so very scared, anxious...mostly about seeing him. I called the domestic assault shelter, and they sent an advocate to go to court with me, so I had her support as well as the victim's advocate that works at the courthouse. I had to tell my story and answer any questions the prosecutor had, as well as take questions from his attorney. It was hard not to feel attacked when his attorney came after me ~ but the prosecutor told me to keep telling myself "I am not the one on trial". I started to break down twice, but I stayed strong, and followed through. I never made eye contact with him, I kept my eye on the prosecutor/his attorney. I looked at him twice, when I could see out of the corner of my eye he wasn't looking. It makes me sad to see him that way...I just want to grab him and say "wake UP!". It would do no good anyway.
It felt very good yesterday, to be surrounded by other adults who are "normal", in that they validated me...let me know I was doing the right thing, and that none of it was my fault. They all just said and did the right things to help me through that.
His attorney called his mom and his friend Adam (his user friend) as a witness ~ funny they weren't even there. His mom lied for him, she told them there was no gun in the house. It amazes me she will do ANYTHING to cover for him...his whole family will. His younger sister approached me at our gas station yesterday morning and told me there is no way she believes her brother would pull a gun on himself...I told her I really didn't care if they believed me or not...it happened. But had you asked me a year ago if I was afraid Chris would ever pull a gun on himself, my answer would be no way.
The judge believed my testimony, so this case has been "bound over" to a higher court. They denied his motion for a bond reduction.
I picked up paperwork, and have decided to get a PPO. I am going to start attending support groups, and work one on one with an advocate...they offer these services for free.
I saw my therapist last night (I hadn't seen her in 2 weeks), so I had an earful for her. She is really helping me work on some of my issues.
