Faith Kim

Mr. Taylor

Law Period 1

12/10/12
Was it Justified?

Laura Rogers showed several signs of having the battered person syndrome, a physical

and psychological condition. This excused Laura from a first-degree murder case. Laura shot her

husband, Walter Rogers because she could bare to breathe when with him. I believe that the court

made the right decision to release her. Originally she was sentenced to 10 years in prison but the

court suspended all but the 198 days that she had already spent in jail since her arrest. I believe

Laura was justified in shooting the horrible husband and father, Walter. During Walters presence

Laura constantly had fears for the lives of her children, especially for her 16 year old daughter.

Through an incident it was discovered that Walter had sexually abused the daughter, later,

leading her to be pregnant with a baby boy. Laura discovered this through a videotape. After

realizing that her daughter had been raped several times by Walter, Laura was disgusted by his

actions. Finally, before proceeding on with the family trip Laura walked into a Walmart and

bought a shotgun. With the gun, Lauran shot the man that tormented the family. Laura explained

that she understands to live with the guilt of killing one, but it does not outweigh if she had to

live with him for the rest of her life. Laura was both physically and emotionally abused by

Walter, and he was also controlling, leading her to have little social interaction with others. She

believed that even if she had left or divorced Walter she would live fearful of harm to me and

my children every day. Constantly living in terror and fear she felt that she had no choice but to

shoot Walter Rogers. She couldn't change what had happened in the past to her and her daughter

but she wanted to change what would happen in the future. For Laura and her children to be

happy and safe Laura, I believe is justified in shooting the awful human being, Walter. Laura

shows a series of symptoms of the battered person syndrome. If Walter had not been killed Laura

and her children would live in fear and abuse, what I would call death while living. Laura
Faith Kim

Mr. Taylor

Law Period 1

12/10/12
herself knows and feels the guilt of feeling one. but it does not outweigh the futures of her

children, and the safety of the family. Laura was definitely justified in shooting Walter Rogers,

therefore allowing her to be free from her charges.