Sheriff: No charge for wife in intruder-husband killing

The Charlotte Observer ^ | December 4th 2004 | EMILY S. ACHENBAUM

[najida]

People who become obsessed with abusive dominating of others are usually brutal criminals -

I am happy that this turned out OK for her. I have yet to understand why someone continues to behave like her husband. Truly insane and evil.

[Vic3O3]

Martina McBride does the song. It's a great song & due to Hannity, I always mentally associate the chorus with 9/11, although the story told in the song has nothing to do with 9/11.

[dansangel]

On Nov. 22, Gathings was charged with criminal trespass, and his parents signed a $15,000 bond.

I personally know of another case (a friend) who has a violent ex. His parents keep bailing him out, too, because "he is our son." Even when he beat his own father up.

All this does is perpetuate and validate the scum's brutal behavior.

Ms. Burgess did the right thing and should be applauded. The scum's parents are every bit as culpable as their son for his violent and criminal behavior.

[Graybeard58]

25 years ago my sister was faced with a similar situation. She had a child and a job of 10 years that she couldn't leave. Paying for a home on her own. Running, even for a little while wasn't an option.

Fotunately for her she had 4 brothers who made a believer out of her ex husband.

[ColdSteelTalon]

Wow....

What a way to get a divorce!!!

[marktwain]

I have not seen the video, but I have heard the bumper music. Could you give a brief description of how the conflict is resolved? I have often wondered what the song referred to.

[nuconvert]

"Fotunately for her she had 4 brothers who made a believer out of her ex husband."

Good for You!

[lafroste]

I understand financial reasons, but it seems her relatives could have bought her a bus ticket for out west and she could have stayed at a woman's shelter for a while.

She has a job at the Anson Correctional Center (or Brown Creek C.C. or that new 1,000 cell monster next door). She did right to stay with her established life.

[marktwain]

I am happy that this turned out OK for her

It is a very sad situation. It was the least evil path, but still a very difficult road. Adjusting to the fact that she had to kill the father of her son in order to save his and her life will be difficult. It will help considerably if she receives a lot of support from her family and friends. I am considering a letter to the editor to let her know that she did the right thing, even if it was a very wrenching action that was forced upon her.

[AngrySpud]

"His parents signed a $15,000 bond."

His parents should have left him in jail. You didn't need a crystal ball to see how this would end.

[nuconvert]

"She did right to stay with her established life."

Knowing the outcome, now, yes.

[Issaquahking]

I will take you to the video if you have a minute to sign in here and type in Martina McBride in the search block. Puts you on her CMT page. On the left hand side, click videos, scroll down and have a four minute, hard hitting shot of reality from a real patriotic, conserv-babe.

[lowbridge]

bump

[unixfox]

This can't be true, a woman defending herself with a gun?

Was the gun registered?
Was the gun in a safe?
Did the gun have a trigger lock?
Did she take the required government safety skills test to posess a gun?
Was the gun within reach of children?

It's just a good thing she didn't follow the "Rules" or she would be dead right now.

[Bahbah]

"she could have stayed at a woman's shelter for a while."

Are you familiar with these "shelters?" They are awful. She would have had to have her child with her.

[shiva]

Good for her. I hope she kicked him before the cops arrived. Seriously, she must have been scared out of her wits when he was beating the door down with a shovel. Imagine the noise and not being able to get away. I'm sure he would have killed her.

[ASA Vet]

Article said "large caliber" so we can assume it started with a .4 or .5

[Don Carlos]

Now see isn't 357 better than 911!!!!!

Just dial 1911!

[ASA Vet]

His parents signed a $15,000 bond

Will the parents now forfeit the bond money since their darling won't show up in court?
Or is being dead an acceptable excuse?

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

Joy Burgess had a protective order against estranged husband...

You can get a lot more protection with a protective order and a 0.45 than with just a protective order. The protective order worked. It protected her from the sheriff.