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Its easy for the media and some to be dismissive of psychological abuse. It is not an excuse for murder, Virgode, but no one knows for sure whether Betty was emotionally abused unless you are her doctor or psychiatrist. I NEVER assume because alot of "seemingly" normal marriages, are not. I know because I was in one myself, unfortunately.
I'm going to take the liberty to assume emotional abuse was not a part of their marriage history. You would think it would have been brought out in trial to support her defense.
I'm well aware of what comes under the abuse umbrella, I'm just not seeing it here in this case.
Betty's entire identity was wrapped up in being "Dan Broderick's wife". Once that "identity was gone, she literally had nothing to draw on to create her own self, for years, her life was focused on helping him gain education and status.
Exactly, a different generation. If you asked Betty Broderick today if she'd do it all over again, I bet she'd say yes.
Dan had the typical mid-life crisis...got the sports car traded in his starter wife for the trophy...it happens everyday...except in this case he messed with the wrong person!
Emotional abuse is very hard to prove in court, even today. During Betty's divorce it probably wasn't even brought up. It never is until someone goes too far and violence ensues. There aren't many witnesses to covert abuse, and when police get to the house the abuser denies it.
That is strange, considering. I want to find a more recent book, the LMN films are old, mostly sensationalistic. I no longer watch Oprah or "womens shows" to get factual info. Not sure if there's a new book out yet though, will check.
What I think happened is that she was in complete denial about the whole thing. She was just thinking he would come around again, after he got thru his mid-life crisis. She had a complete breakdown when she realized he was not coming back, and her life was "over" as she knew it.
The issue I have here, is yes, it was completely pre-meditated, no doubt. But she was a psycholical wreck, she needed treatment, and therapy.
I did not like how she was portrayed by Meredith Baxter Birney in the Lifetime Movie.
What I think happened is that she was in complete denial about the whole thing. She was just thinking he would come around again, after he got thru his mid-life crisis. She had a complete breakdown when she realized he was not coming back, and her life was "over" as she knew it.
The issue I have here, is yes, it was completely pre-meditated, no doubt. But she was a psycholical wreck, she needed treatment, and therapy.
I did not like how she was portrayed by Meredith Baxter Birney in the Lifetime Movie.
Shes still in denial, in 20 years of incarceration hasn't progressed one iota.
I don't think shes dangerous to society (with an angle monitor), I could see her commiting suicide if she were released tho.
We are all pretty much familiar with the expression..."hell hath no fury like a woman scorned".. granted, no question, she supported him both financially and emotionally, she encouraged him, she did all of those things a woman was 'expected' to do for her partner, especially 'back then' and I think for the most part we, as women, continue to do those things in a relationship, feministic or not.
And, I do not think the way the divorce, post-divorce was handled, and the new woman in his life was handled was stellar, at all.
Many of us have been in that situation - as I posted earlier, no doubt we frequently think about the amazing things we could do to our former partners [in addition to the honey and red ants], that does not mean we act on them.
Lots of warning signs were apparent - nothing was done to curb them or provide emotional support or therapy for Ms. Broderick nor did she choose that avenue either. Her kids were destroyed especially by being used as pawns.
She did have a choice and that choice was not to bring a loaded weapon to a house that she had no right to enter. Perhaps she snapped when the gun went off several times; she did not snap as she went up the stairs to shoot them.
I do not think she is sorry for what she did nor is she sorry or does not grasp the damage her actions caused the children.
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