Unequal Justice

The battered woman’s defence fails to take into account the immense state of fear she had to endure. Prosecutors and judges will only accept this defence if the woman was in the process of a beating when killing her monster. Once the violence gets to that point, it is to late for her to defend herself.

Police use the term, “Imminent danger” when they shoot and kill a suspect. They are trained to shoot to kill. If they feel or (claim) that the suspect could do them harm, it is considered “Justifiable Homicide” Battered women are far more aware of imminent danger by their abusers, than an officer is of a stranger. The police have guns to defend themselves when it happens. The woman has endured her abusers rage, and she can instinctively sense that the next time he goes off on her, he will kill her. Once he does go off on her, she has no time, or physical strength to fight him off.

The police also use the term, “Criminal Intent,” to arrest people who they “Assume” are thinking about committing a crime. Battered women also have a sense of “Criminal Intent” when their abusers are on the verge of attacking them. Her state of fear and terror, is at such a high level, that she must act before he makes his move and kills her.

In that sense, self defence must come “before” the attack. This act of violence by a battered woman should be just as justified as that of a police officers. The police use the words to protect themselves before anything happens to them. Because they are police officers, it is all legal. Battered women deserve the same justice as the police get from the courts. This is “unequal Justice.” The women are charged with murder, and face life in prison, while the police are seen as “hero’s” and get promotions and medals.