Kim Lenore Mock Trial

Could you state your name for the jury?

My name is Kim Lenore. I am an expert in the area of the psychological disease and debilitation known as “battered woman syndrome”

What are your credentials?

I have a B.A. in psychology from Cornell. My book entitled Men Who Hurt Women and the Women Who Kill Them, is the seminal treatise on the “battered woman syndrome.” I have been privileged to testify in over 25 cases on behalf of women who responded properly to violent abuse from their significant others. My standard fee is $2,500.

Have you ever met with Donna?

I have examined Donna Osborn, age 28. I met with her three times, and, in addition, I have exhaustingly reviewed the written records and statements in this case.

What is your conclusion?

Donna Osborn was an abused spouse. Her life, after marrying Clinton Osborn II, completely fits the profile of a battered woman. Her behavior is classically symptomatic of the behavior of battered women in similar circumstances. The psychological underpinnings of the battered woman syndrome were all present here.

What is the battered woman syndrome?

It is a psychological syndrome based on the theory of learned helplessness and the cycle theory of violence. This syndrome distorts a person’s feelings, beliefs, and behavior so that they react as though they do not have the ability to control what happens to them. This provides us with a scientifically based explanation for understanding why women, when treated as Donna was, do not simply leave or “escape.”

Is battered woman syndrome recognized as included within self-defence in a court of law?

Yes. Because of my research, the battered woman syndrome has been recognized as self-defence.

What are the symptoms of battered woman syndrome? Please explain.

There are four stages of the battered woman syndrome. First, there is denial. A woman suffers repeated beatings, terrible verbal and physical abuse and privation, and she refuses to admit it.

What did this stage look like for Donna?

She believed initially that Clinton’s “hand slipped” and that it was the pressures of the office which made him angry. When she had to explain her cuts and bruises, she described them as the result of “accidents.” After each episode, she hoped and prayed, to the point of convincing herself, that the violence would not be repeated.

What was next for Donna?

Second, there is guilt. Donna convinced herself that she was the cause of the problem, not Clinton. She was not a good enough homemaker, wife, mother. She convinced herself that it was her deficiencies and defects which prompted him. Donna understood Clinton’s beating as an attempt to change her. Donna convinced herself that she was behaving in a manner which did not meet her spouse’s expectations. She thought he deserved the best.

Was there anything else that happened during that time that might have affected Donna?

During this period, Donna’s sense of isolation was heightened. Clinton had forced her to terminate her old friendships. Additionally, Donna had become completely financially dependent on Clinton. He gave her one signed check a week for groceries. He threatened to take the children, reminding her that she was incapable of supporting herself, let alone the children.

What is considered the ‘turning point’ for a battered woman?

The third stage is the beginning of the change; we call it “enlightenment.” Slowly, Donna came to recall who she was before she married Clinton. She’s a smart, educated person. It came to her that no one deserves to be beaten.

Is there anything you noticed about the way that Donna was abused? Was there a pattern?

Incidentally, the method of Clinton’s physical abuse is consistent with that of most men. Generally, they have a standard operating procedure or motif. Here, Clinton used sports equipment.

How do you regard this enlightenment phase with Donna?

While Donna came to recognize that she was not at fault, she was still committed to making the marriage work. She believed she was smart enough to help Clinton help himself.

What was the next step for Donna?

Lastly, there is responsibility. Donna slowly realized that the abuse would not stop and she must think about the future for her and young Clinton.

How did she take action?

She had to break the chain of financial enslavement. She got a job. The type of job, college instructor, provided a massive injection to her self-esteem.

What was Clinton’s response?

Clinton was still controlling. Donna could not get to or from her job without him, and she was not permitted faculty contact.

What was Donna’s conclusion?

Finally, Donna came to believe that Clinton might kill her. She understood that her own life was threatened.

How did she come to that conclusion?

While it is true that the repeated beatings, while terrible, were not life threatening, Clinton had repeatedly expressed his willingness to end Donna’s life.

How did this affect what happened on February 14th?

All of this was playing through Donna’s mind on February 14th.

Could Donna have responded differently to Clinton’s threats?

No. Donna Osborn had no choice but to respond to the abuser’s picking up the bat and threatening to knock her head off except to fire her gun at him.