US v. Dominique Stephens

In the case of the US versus Dominique Stephens, I played the role of the court reporter. In a real case I would’ve documented every word that was spoken in that courtroom. During the mock trial however, I assisted in helping the defense and prosecution build their cases. The case was tough, but having a strong defense and prosecution really cleared up some foggy topics.

On June 17, 2009, at 10:32 p.m, Dominique Stephens, had called the police letting them know that she had shot her husband, Donovan. The police arrived and found her husband’s dead body face down on the ground under a blanket that had 3 bullet holes and was covered in blood. Dominique was arrested after confessing to shooting her husband and pointing to the pistol near the bed. When she arrived at the police station, Dominique wavered her right to remain silent, until the detective wrote a statement. She signed the statement and the prosecution charged Mrs. Stephens with the First Degree Murder of her husband Donovan Stephens. After confessing, however, she asserts through her attorney that it was an act of self-defense and that she is suffering from Battered Woman Syndrome. She claims that the lives of her and her kids was in imminent danger.

Statutory law claims that, “Whoever, being of sound memory and discretion, kills another purposely, either of deliberate and premeditated malice or by means of poison... is guilty of murder in the first degree.” Case Law states that, “An intentional murder in the first degree if it is committed with premeditation in cold blood. It is murder in the second degree if it is committed on impulse or in the sudden heat of passion.”

Battered woman syndrome (BWS) is a mental disorder that develops in victims of domestic violence as a result of serious, long-term abuse. BWS is dangerous primarily because it