Despite overwhelming evidence of abuse, including a suicide note stating “I was murdered,” Ryan Wellings was acquitted of manslaughter in the death of his ex-partner, Kiena Dawes. Wellings was convicted of assault and coercive control, but the family believes justice has not been served and Kiena’s voice has not been fully heard. The case highlights the rarity of manslaughter charges in suicide cases stemming from domestic abuse, despite the significant number of women who die by suicide after experiencing abuse. Kiena’s family and advocates continue to call for increased accountability for abusers in such situations.
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A 72-year-old French woman, Gisèle Pélicot, testified in the trial of 51 men accused of raping her, including her 71-year-old husband, Dominique. Gisèle learned of the decade-long abuse after police discovered photographic evidence of the rapes, which her husband had filmed and orchestrated after secretly drugging her. Dominique admitted to police that he derived pleasure from watching others rape his unconscious wife, and the court heard details of his meticulous planning to facilitate the assaults. Gisèle, who waived her anonymity, aims to expose the accused and prevent future such crimes.
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Ashley Benefield, a former ballerina, was sentenced to 20 years in prison and 10 years probation for the manslaughter of her estranged husband. While the judge acknowledged Benefield’s claims of self-defense and remorse, he determined a reduced sentence was unwarranted. A jury found her guilty of manslaughter after a trial where conflicting accounts of the shooting were presented, with the prosecution arguing the self-defense claim was fabricated. A motion for a new trial based on alleged juror misconduct was denied by the judge.
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The email, written by Pete Hegseth’s mother, Penelope, is a scathing indictment of his character and behavior. It opens with a declaration of her inability to remain silent after witnessing his treatment of a woman named Samantha.
The email directly accuses Hegseth of being a “woman abuser,” detailing accusations of belittling, lying, cheating, and using women for personal gain and ego. Penelope states this has been a pattern of behavior for years, expressing her pain and embarrassment at having to acknowledge this truth.
She emphasizes that she is not perfect, but asserts that Hegseth’s abusive treatment of women, including dishonesty, infidelity, and debasement, demands to be addressed.… Continue reading
Marius Borg Høiby, son of Norwegian Crown Princess Mette-Marit, was arrested on suspicion of rape following a late-night incident in Oslo. The alleged crime involved a sexual act without intercourse, with the victim reportedly unable to resist. The arrest followed prior incidents in August, including allegations of bodily harm and domestic abuse against the same woman, and a subsequent September arrest for violating a restraining order. Police are currently deciding whether to remand Høiby in custody.
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Growing up, politics was never a topic that was discussed openly in my household. My parents kept their voting choices close to the chest, and it was always a mystery to us kids who they supported during election season. However, a recent conversation with my elderly mother shed light on a whole new perspective regarding the secrecy of the voting booth. She revealed how she used to vote against my father’s wishes secretly, in an act of defiance to cancel out his vote. This confession got me thinking about the current political climate and the question that seems to be causing quite a stir this election cycle: “Can my husband find out who I am voting for?”… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood