Chapter 13 - THE ASSAULT CASE
Julian’s assault case was simple compared with the federal indictment.
Dozens of witnesses.
Several phone videos.
My injury.
Pregnancy.
His statement before the strike.
No dispute that he hit me.
His lawyer initially argued emotional distress caused by my “threatening revelation of confidential corporate matters.”
The judge looked unimpressed.
Corporate stress does not create a domestic-violence exception.
Julian eventually pleaded to assault under an agreement that avoided a contested trial while the federal case proceeded.
Sentence:
Probation.
Mandatory intervention program.
No-contact order except through counsel and future family-court arrangements.
Community service.
No immediate jail on that count due no prior violent record and limited physical injury, though federal detention issues were separate.
People online called it too light.
Others called it proof money wins.
I understood both reactions.
Still:
One slap.
Bruising.
No fetal injury.
No prior documented violence.
Sentencing has context.
What mattered most to me was the record no longer called it a family misunderstanding.
It called it assault.
Julian made a statement.
“I regret losing control.”
I hated that phrase.
Losing control sounds like control was a possession that slipped.
He chose a movement.
A hand.
A target.
At sentencing the judge said:
“You did not lose control of your hand. You used it.”
That sentence stayed with me.
May you like
Outside court Julian did not look at me.
Good.
