Murder or Self Defense

[Khione]

Sally Challen's story on BBC2 on now (Mon 9 Dec 9pm)

I've heard the name before but am interested to hear the story.

Years of domestic abuse, she killed him

2011

I was sympathetic to her from general reporting without having paid much attention to be honest. However, watching the BBC programme, I lost the sympathy I had

I watched it and was astounded that borderline personality disorder which had previously not been diagnosed was used as a defence

'Murder or self-defence' wasn't the question at issue. The question was 'murder or manslaughter'.
I'm don't think that the eventual outcome implies that she shouldn't have gone to prison. Just that she shouldn't have been sentenced for murder.
Watching the documentary, that seemed about right to me. There was some culpability, but the circumstances of her mental health needed to be recognised.

When someone causes your mental health or personality disorder then that person has played a role in the crime.

It so happens that the person who caused her mental health issues was also the victim.

What the programme I believe didn't show well was the day to day gaslighting, cohesive behaviour towards her and the controlling behaviour. The incidents given made it feel there was not much in between them. I don't think this was the case. It was a continual drip feed of negativity and controlling behaviour.

I think the changed outcome to manslaughter was correct.

Her last sentence in the film that she still loved him shows what impact he still has on her.

It was a bit embarrassing watching the defence team in court. And the judge having to steer defence barrister that coercive control was not a defeat. And that the two defences to murder were those laid down by parliament (provocation and diminished responsibility). And therefore what the judge would consider was evidence of two psychiatric conditions nor previously available to the court

A defence, not a defeat !