Criminal Defense Paper

It is human nature to protect what is ours, but how far is an individual willing to go to protect their belongings, some individuals will go beyond reasonable defense and intended to kill. Whether it is protecting the property and possessions, family or even ourselves. Some situations get out of hand, individuals have to face making decisions that could change their lives and the lives of those around them. For Judy-Ann Norman and Don Ceballos, their actions that were in defense were unjustifiable according to the jury.

Judy-Ann Norman lived with ritualistic verbal, physical, and sexual abuse from her husband John Norman for the last twenty years of their marriage. In the case State v. Norman, the defense test Jody-Ann defense and it is questioned if Mrs. Norman was in imminent danger when she shot her husband. June 12, 1985, Judy-Ann Norman took a gun and shot her husband twice in the face with he slept. Mr. and Mrs. Norman were married for twenty-five years, five years after marriage John became an alcoholic and began to prostitute his wife out on the street for extra cash. During this time, John started beating and threatening his wife. On many occasions, Mr. Norman would beat his wife for mere fun. If the couple went out with other people he would hit her and embarrass her in front of everyone, calling her names such as "bitch" or "dog." The couple has five children together, only four are still alive. The youngest child was born prematurely, soon passing away after birth because Judy-Ann was kicked in the stomach and thrown down multiple flights of stairs. Judy-Ann Norman wanted a way to get out but was too afraid because of all the threats made by Mr. Norman. The day before Judy Norman killed her husband a domestic call was made to the sheriff's department for the Norman residence. When the sheriff's arrived Mr. Norman is extremely intoxicated and Mrs. Norman was on the floor bloody and bruised. Even while medics treated her Mr. Norman continued to try and...