Opinion ID: 2323789
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Defendant's August 19, 1999 Statement

Text: Defendant admitted shooting her husband, accidentally, when it was her purpose only to scare him. She described a history of domestic violence, psychological belittlement, and victimization leading up to the killing. In the months before the shooting, Jimmy became increasingly violent, the constant refrain being that she could do nothin' right. They were having problems related to the house that they were in the process of purchasing. She was blamed for the delay in getting a mortgage, for not keeping papers in order, and for not wanting to make the move. She was blamed for the problems with their telephone service. A month earlier, Jimmy had put his service weapon to [her] head and told [her] if [she] didn't straighten up [she] could disappear down in the Pine Barrens. On an earlier occasion, Jimmy had physically assaulted her, pulling her hair and punching her on the lip, warning her that he would be willing to lose his job and go back to construction work if [she] called the cops. On the evening before the shooting, after completing his shift, Jimmy visited a local bar and, shortly after midnight, returned home heavily intoxicated. He yelled at defendant because his dinner was not ready. He complained that he was not getting his phone messages. He then took his gun off the table and pointed it at defendant's head, and told her to straighten out or else. Defendant stayed on the couch that night, unable to sleep, watching the clock, and fearful that Jimmy might come at her. At 7:00 a.m., defendant left the couch and readied herself for work. She heard Jimmy awake, yelling that the telephone was disconnected, and she responded that she would tend to it after work. She next went to the basement and retrieved a gun. She then went to the bedroom where Jimmy had fallen back asleep. Defendant wanted Jimmy to roll over and see the gun pointing at him like she had seen it pointed at her, she wanted to scare him, and she wanted him to be scared enough to say he was sorry for everything, and that [they] would work everything out. But the gun went off accidentally. That day, August 19, defendant was arrested and charged with the murder of her husband. The next day, she was admitted to the Forensic Psychiatric Hospital in Trenton because of suicidal ideations.