Prosecuting murder, rape and domestic violence cases with a 100% conviction rate, Judge Jeanine Pirro is an advocate for victims of domestic violence and works tirelessly to change how courts deal with these issues. I spoke with Judge Pirro about the Rihanna/Chris Brown case and she offered information about victims and abusers.
ST: Attorneys differ on whether a defendant can be prosecuted for domestic violence if the victim won’t testify. What’s the truth?
JP: Prosecutors and DAs across the nation are emailing me saying, “Are these people from another planet? We do it all the time.” District Attorneys can and do prosecute domestic violence cases without the victim if they corraborate circumstantial evidence. I prosecuted a case where a woman was beaten with a hammer and left for dead. She didn’t die, refused to testify for the prosecution and testified for the defendant. We convicted him for attempted murder.
ST: Why are some people shifting the blame to Rihanna for instigating the assault and getting Chris Brown in trouble?
JP: Make no mistake, we are confronting the social acceptance of men beating women and all the trappings that go with it, from blaming the victim, coercing the victim, intimidation to quiet the victim and family pressure to drop charges. What we have recognized is that if you force a woman to testify and hold her in contempt for doing so you, are re-victimizing her and putting the burden on her. This is not Rihanna vs. Chris Brown. This is the people of the state standing up and saying, “You will not victimize a human being.” A report from the Boston Health Commission says 50% of the kids are blaming her. This is a throwback to the 70s when it wasn’t a crime to beat your wife. It was only a crime if you killed her.
ST: After Nicole Simpson’s murder, wasn’t it clear that domestic violence would be taken seriously and prosecuted?
JP: In a circumstantial case you bring in all corroborating evidence. In Rihanna’s case they have her medical records, and if the prosecution did its homework they got a release of her medical records and can introduce evidence without her testimony or without her claiming the information is privileged. In the search warrant prosecutors got the phone calls to Rihanna’s assistant where Chris Brown states, “She didn’t tell them that it was me?”—that’s an admission; they have her blood in his car; evidence of extensive injuries on her body; bite marks on her ear and marks on her throat where he held her throat between his biceps and forearm—all offensive wounds. Blood was on her dress; he left the scene of the crime and ran away from his Lamborghini. There is the neighbor who called 911, with a crying Rihanna saying that he did it.
ST: Was Brown trying to do brutal harm?
JP: Provocation does not justify an assault. The tell-tale is; “I’m going to kill you” and he chokes her to the point of unconsciousness. The choking statute says he choked her at a time when her life is was in imminent danger. Chris Brown was not defending himself. Her injuries speak of a brutal and savage beating. His intent was articulated by his words,” And now I’m going to kill you.”
ST: Why are females accusing Rihanna?
JP: This is in my book, To Punish and Protect. It’s about separating themselves from the possibility of being a victim. What they are saying is it can’t happen to them because she was attacked for a reason. It’s easier to understand and justify because the thought that someone could kill, rape and assault you for no reason is too frightening.
ST: What are the signs to look out for?
JP: I’d bet my house this isn’t the first time Brown has hit Rihanna. Domestic Violence is not about anger, it’s about power and control. Predictable behavior for abusers is throwing something at the wall, maybe putting his fist through the wall; cursing you out; he will push or shove you, and then he will hit you. Violence increases in intensity, severity and frequency. Two questions to Rihanna without blaming her would be: Why do you think you deserve this and why do you think he won’t do this again?
The first line of defense is knowledge. Judge Pirro offers clues to look for that may imply that you are in possible danger:
1. If a man is extremely controlling and wants to know where you are constantly.
2. Calls and text messages continually to make sure that you are available to him.
3. He is jealous, isolates you, doesn’t want you with friends and family.
These are all predictable behaviors of men who turn to physical violence to control their women.
Learn more about issues that affect your life. As a constant presence in the courtroom and on television, Judge Pirro brings her considerable life experience and no-nonsense yet compassionate voice to daily viewers. Tune in and watch the series “Judge Jeanine Pirro” airing nationwide on The CW Network, Mon. thru Fri. at 3:00 p.m. “Judge Jeanine Pirro” is produced by Telepictures Productions and distributed by Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution.
By Suzanne Takowsky
