"I was ignorant of the evolving abuse in my seven-year live-in relationship with Ron. It progresses so slowly, I just became accustomed to the ridicule, the condemnation, the constant mistreatment and verbal assaults. Common public humiliations routinely ended in silent rides homes. I recall vividly the searing pain of rejection, of feeling inferior, unwanted and incredibly isolated, constantly stifling my emotions to void conflict, fearing the loss of his love.

Retracting the relationship in my mind a million times, searching for understanding of this insanity, I see clearly that I had always glossed over his abusiveness towards me to salvage the love. Even when he struck me in the face in public or slammed me up against the fireplace mantle, I failed to recognize the potential for greater harm. And I had never had an reason or experience to cause me to really fear anyone, before that exact moment when Ron threatened my life and I knew he meant it. One moment. Our perpetual psychological and emotional roller coaster ride ended in my suicide attempt, and Ron's death."

She is now serving 27 years to life in prison for killing her abuser.