Opinion ID: 2230354
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Relationships within the MacLennan Family

Text: Before trial, Jason made an offer of proof to demonstrate the basis of his claim that Kenneth severely emotionally abused him. The offer of proof included potential testimony from Jason's family in Canada, as well as testimony from friends and neighbors from Florida. All of the witnesses were prepared to testify about the relationships between Kenneth and Betty, between Jason and Betty, and between Jason and Kenneth. The testimony offered to demonstrate the type of relationship that Kenneth and Betty had during their marriage related primarily to allegations that Kenneth both physically and sexually abused Betty. One of Betty's friends from Florida was prepared to testify that Betty confided in her about Kenneth's abusive behavior and his insatiable desire for sex. Betty's sister, Lillian Barker, was also prepared to testify that Betty confided in her about Kenneth's abusive behavior. The testimony about Kenneth and Betty's relationship was offered to support Jason's testimony about the abusive nature of his parents' relationship. Jason's friends and family were willing to testify about the relationship between Jason and Kenneth, both while Betty was alive and after her death. Several of Jason's neighbors from Florida were prepared to testify that Kenneth neglected Jason. They would have testified that during Betty's two-year treatment for breast cancer, which included two mastectomies and radiation therapy, Kenneth remained in Switzerland while Jason was left alone to serve as Betty's primary caretaker. In particular, Jason's former girlfriend, Molly Harris, was willing to testify that Jason had difficulty staying awake at school and paying attention in class because he expended so much energy caring for his mother. Other friends were also willing to testify about Jason's care and concern for his mother during her illness. The proffered testimony about the relationship between Jason and his father focused primarily on Jason's fear of his father and his father's bad temper. The parents of one of Jason's friends were willing to testify about at least two instances when they observed a distinct change in Jason's demeanor when he was in Kenneth's presence. According to them, Jason would go to great lengths to avoid being alone with Kenneth, and when in Kenneth's presence, Jason was uncharacteristically docile and hypersensitive. With respect to Kenneth's temper, a close colleague and tennis partner of Kenneth's was prepared to testify that Kenneth had a short temper and a strong dissatisfaction with his son. Jason's aunt, Lillian Barker, was also prepared to testify about her own experience with Kenneth's anger and emotional abusiveness that occurred when she visited Jason and Kenneth in Florida after Betty's death. The testimony of Jason's friends and family was offered to support his self-defense claim and as the basis for his request for expert testimony on battered child syndrome.