Attorneys consider options against George Zimmerman
http://news.msn.com/crime-justice/attorneys-consider-options-against-george-zimmerman
......It's not uncommon in domestic violence cases for the alleged victims to change their minds about pursuing charges, said Blaine McChesney, a former prosecutor in Orlando who now is a defense attorney.
"The feelings of love and compassion overcome any feelings the victim had," McChesney said Tuesday.
Although prosecutors can move ahead without the cooperation of the victim, it makes it difficult to convict if there is no physical evidence of injuries, he said.......
However, in Zimmerman's case, Scheibe provided a real-time account of what was happening on a 911 call.
"You point your gun at my fricking face," Samantha Scheibe is heard telling Zimmerman on the 911 call. "Get out of my house. Do not push me out of my house. Please get out of my house."........
Some victims refuse to cooperate believing the person who assaulted them will wind up in prison, said Carol Wick, chief executive of Harbor House of Central Florida, which offers shelter and programs to victims of domestic violence.
In reality, the courts offer alternatives to prison such as mandatory therapy and anger management classes. In metro Orlando, where more than half of the cases that end up being dropped are due to victims unwilling to testify, police are starting a program that tries to get victims in touch with counselors within 24 hours of a reported assault.
"People don't understand the psychological manipulation that goes on when this happens," Wick said..........