It's all fun in our house! A few months ago my daughter told me of an incident after her evening out at a night club. She happened to be an innocent bystander and witnessed a domestic fight. The woman had started crying uncontrollably and, unable to quench her compassionate nature, Melody had gone over and started hugging her in an effort to console.
According to Melody, the male had been manhandling the woman out of a night club in an aggressive and physically controlling manner with his hands around her neck. The couple made such a commotion crying and shouting in the early hours of the morning that the police were called. On their arrival Melody was identified as being an independent witness and happily gave her statement to the police being informed that it was unlikely she would get called to court but that she might.
So here I was yesterday morning in court with said daughter. It was a first for us both and was slightly awkward from the start because the male accused happened to walk into the magistrates court seconds before us! Melody recognised him immediately and held back from following him up the stairs for fear that he might confront her. Fortunately the court has a witness protection service and after discreetly mentioning the dilemma to the receptionist we were ushered into a private room.
The female was also in the room and it soon became apparent that she had reservations about incriminating the accused. Probably in the sober light of day and being in a co-dependent relationship with the perpetrator she was reluctant to see him found guilty. This became apparent as I followed her into court to hear her give testimony. Due to the woman's immediate admission that she had been intoxicated with alcohol, she was unable to recall anything but 'the girl who hugged her'. As she was cross questioned, everyone was referring to Melody as 'the girl who hugged' and I found a tear coming to my eye. What a beautiful way to be remembered and this was my beautiful, strong and brave Melody who, for the sake of her kind nature and sense of justice, was putting herself through something most unpleasant and inconvenient.
There was so little evidence from the lady's recollection that it became apparent that all would rely on the testimony of 'the girl who hugged'. Melody was called and to my utter amazement, moments before she entered, in walked 9 girls who took their seats alongside me in the public gallery. I assumed they might be her friends and was slightly alarmed at the dramatic entrance it created for her as she took the stand. I can laugh now but at the time I wondered what the court would think having 9 friends coming to stand alongside her as she gave witness! As it turned out they were a school group and as we waited for the court ruling they all laughed as I confessed I had thought they were Melody's supporters.
What my daughter witnessed is unfortunately an all too common occurrence both in public and private when people drink too much and allow emotions to run away with them. The male in this situation was asked what the long term relationship was with the woman and to the courts surprise he answered 'marriage'. I wonder how many men and women there are who have a propensity towards physical violence when angry and who lose control when drunk. Such a small minority get to court and then only a few of those result in conviction because relationships are complex. This must have been one of those complex ones!
Melody and I stayed to hear the verdict. Not guilty. The woman's testimony did nothing to incriminate the man who had abused her physically and therefore there were too many holes in the case. The man's defence of 'self defence', was accepted despite the testimony of 'the girl who hugged'.
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