History of this case: The accused, Ms. Angelique Lyn Lavalee was in common law relationship with victim, Kevin Rust, for around 3-4 years between years 1983-1986. Their relationship was marred with violence, domestic physical intimidation, abuse and instances of woman-battering of Angelique at the hands of her abusive and brutal partner, Rust. Things took such a violent turn that it is alleged that Lavalee feared for her very life and safety at the hands of her stronger, abusive and violent partner, Rust, who threatened and humiliated her off and on, both mentally and physically and which also required numerous hospitalization visits for the accused on several occasions for treatment and medication for wounds inflicted on her by her abusive …show more content…
This act is believed not to have been pre-mediated and she acted on the spur of the moment, as only choice left to her to save herself from possible death, or GBH at the hands of her abusive partner. The accused pleaded self defense as primary reason for her murderous action, citing fears for her own life, safety and to avoid Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) at the hands of violent, merciless partner. who was hell bent in harming her in whichever ways he could. Her plea was supported by expert professional psychiatric evaluation provided by attending psychiatrist, Dr. Fred Shane who is considered professional authority and expert in woman- battering cases and who testified about this case and its deliberations in lower Courts. Besides professional expert testimonials provided by the psychiatrists and Police Reports, there was no much evidence in terms of proving the culpability or otherwise of Lavalee, in this