This is a defense used to acquit woman who murdered their abusive husbands when their husbands are not armed. However if a man is threatened at gunpoint by his neighbor and shoots his neighbor who is unarmed he is going to prison for first degree murder. So why is it that this defense is only used for women and not men in other circumstances where they feel their life is in danger?
2007-07-11 02:29:37 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
I'm a guy. [surprise?]
I've also read enough psychology to know that severe or prolonged abuse can and does change people and their behavior.
So -- there probably are 'battered spouses' [and of all five genders].
As to whether, in a particular case, this spouse was battered enough that his/her/yx' psychology was warped enough by the batterer to commit murder is a proper question for a jury after considering the evidence.
k?
2007-07-11 02:35:41 · answer #1 · answered by Spock (rhp) 7 · 7⤊ 0⤋
Because the man has not been living in fear for his life from his neighbor for years and has not been terrorized and beaten by him. The woman knows that her life is in danger even if the husband is not armed at that moment. Besides, lots of women have been beaten to death by their unarmed husbands. How can a man be threatened at gunpoint by a man who is unarmed? If the man is threatened at gunpoint, then I would think he was acting in self defense so I doubt he'd be going to prison any way. And even though they use the battered woman syndrome as a defense, there are plenty of women in prison who have killed their abusive spouses.
2007-07-11 02:53:32 · answer #2 · answered by kat 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think it is true. If you've ever seen the way a battered woman behaves, the nervous tension, the fear, in which they live every day, as I have, you can see it being true that when they snap, they go overboard.
I think if you live in fear of your neighbour, get beaten up ever so often, get abused mentally and physically for years, you too would probably get away with it.
2007-07-11 02:44:30 · answer #3 · answered by True Blue Brit 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
There is a defense for men in that situation - it's called self defense.
2007-07-11 02:32:57 · answer #4 · answered by CHARITY G 7 · 6⤊ 0⤋
It's over used just as date rape Yes it happens but many women say it's rape when is not[here it comes] I had some women sleep with me and say no sex than rub them selfs on me I remember one I was at her place and told I'm going her reply"You look like the type of guy who would just take it" I did have I started to leave she said "you rape me" I'll never get in that place again!
2007-07-11 02:55:56 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
In very rare cases it is a valid excuse, however it is used far too broadly in courts today.
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2007-07-11 02:38:15 · answer #6 · answered by Brotherhood 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I believe that years of physical and mental abuse by a larger, stronger person is "crap" and he deserves whatever he gets.
2007-07-11 02:32:42 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 2⤋