Selfish Appetite [5 Seconds of Summer]

[30]

"No one ever gets tired of loving. They just get tired of waiting, apologizing, getting disappointed and being hurt."

- -

Sloan

In 1630, the first jury trial in the American Colonies was held in Plymouth, when John Billington was accused of murdering fellow Mayflower colonist John Newcomin. The jury found the defendant guilty of "willful murder by plain and notorious evidence," and he was executed by hanging.

Wife beating was made illegal in all states of the United States by 1920. Modern attention to domestic violence began in the women's movement of the 1970s, particularly within feminism and women's rights, as concern about wives being beaten by their husbands gained attention.

Although domestic violence has always been an issue in society, it may have been seen as more socially acceptable in the past, namely the 1950s-60s, than it is now. This can be seen as it was written in Time Magazine in September of 1964, that wife beating was seen as "temporary therapy" to some men.

My grandma told me about that article. She remembers reading it, she remembers being enraged at the term "temporary therapy".

A bench trial, is the type of trial that does not involve a jury, but is conducted by the judge alone, in which the judge both decides the facts of the case and applies the law.

In general, if the case involves complex issues and nuanced areas of the law, a bench trial will be the better option. In those types of cases, you will need a judge that knows the law well, and will be receptive to arguments over case-law and examples of other cases.

Unless of course, the judge is payed off by Edward Strain, active criminal defense lawyer and newly found scumbag.

Mina's case didn't even last a full two months.

The judge ruled in favor of Edward, who fortunately, after his "fair win", packed up his practice and his bags and left the city.

Mina was distraught, at first, but we all knew deep down inside, that her chances of winning were very slim. Edward is a part of the very corrupt system, built on exploiting the victims. 

She is proud of herself, that she decided to go after him, she was proud she stood on her own two feet and went after what's right, even if justice wasn't served.

"Thank you. All of you. I know this wasn't what's fair, what I wanted, but I'm glad I tried. Thank you all for testifying." she raises a glass, talking to me, Luke and Calum primarily, since it was us who witnessed Ed's admittance of his actions and abusive meltdown at his house that night.

Ally testified too, because she was the first person Mina went to, after the incident.

That's what she calls it, the incident.

"And you, thank you for taking my side. I know it must have been hard." she tells Luke. "I know he's your family."

"No person who does this is allowed to be considered my family." Luke nudges her shoulder and she sends him a sad smile.

"Thank you anyway." Mina nods.

Michael comes back with another tray of shots. He has been surprisingly composed through the trial, he didn't address Edward once at court, he didn't look at him, he didn't talk about him. I can only imagine how much strength that takes, to ignore your urges to body slam the guy who hurt the woman you're in love with.

He's a saint.

He has been here for Mina, he has been sweet and patient, and it pains me to see him go through that without the ability to let it all out.