Chapter 13 - The Assault Plea
Brandon eventually pleaded guilty in assault case.
The evidence was overwhelming.
Witnesses.
Medical records.
His own partial admission.
He accepted a sentence including county jail time, probation, anger intervention, and protective conditions.
Because he had no prior violent convictions and injuries were non life threatening, the sentence was not years.
Some people told me it was too light.
I said:
“It’s finished.”
The financial case remained.
Separate.
At sentencing, Brandon looked at me.
“I’m sorry.”
This time he added:
“I hit you because I thought if you corrected me in front of people, they would realize the house wasn’t mine. I was already terrified the bank would find out.”
That was more truthful.
“I blamed you for making me afraid.”
He swallowed.
“I’m sorry.”
I gave victim statement.
“I do not ask the court to destroy my son. I ask that what happened be named accurately. He struck me repeatedly while I did not fight back. His wife encouraged him. The fact that I love him does not turn assault into family business.”
Judge nodded.
Brandon cried.
May you like
I did too.
Quietly.
