I had the same thought. Perhaps he committed separate crimes on either separate dates or in two different locations (counties)?
I'm just thinking out loud here. The bail amounts are significant, but he has a previous criminal record with prison time, so I'm fairly certain that played into the decision the DA made regarding bail amounts. Part of me wishes that he qualified for NO bail, but that in and of itself would signal an even more heinous crime(s) and lesser likelihood of Erica ever coming home to care for her daughters.
This case saddens me, as a mother of two girls, as a DV survivor who barely escaped with her own life, and as a human being. Granted, we don't know all of the facts yet, but from what I've read on SM accounts, the writing may have been on the wall.
Erica was in a highly vulnerable and dangerous time for any woman in who is in a relationship with an IPV dynamic (during pregnancy and after the birth of a child). Things change, and your partner is no longer the primary focus (sometimes in their view of things, sometimes just because it's the way you find to keep the peace, sometimes because it's the way you've learned to love - a broken way... IME).
When new life comes, you find yourself making new decisions, seeing things from a new perspective, and the status quo of cognitive dissonance is no longer acceptable. People change and grow, but not always together. For some, I've learned, this evolution is not acceptable. There are limited ways out. You have to be very strong to be able to be in control of your exit, especially when there are children involved. Tragic consequences can result otherwise. We see this happen time and again here on WS. I witnessed it more times than I can count as I completed my externship hours at a local DV shelter.
It isn't easy for everyone to understand, but many WSers do. I am thankful for this victim-friendly forum, because it spreads awareness on a global scale. If it touches just one person, then we've made a difference.
I will continue to pray, for Erica, her little girls, her family, and for Victims of IPV everywhere. Maybe one day, this will stop.
My apologies for the long post. This one really, REALLY hurts! :twocents:
:tears:
:candle:
ETA: I just saw the update. It is fitting that the media is addressing Erica by her maiden name. I am angry that he took her from her eldest daughter (she was all she had! :moo: and their BabyGirl - what a monster!). I agree, we knew from jump that this would be the end result, but it doesn't make it hurt any less. What a COWARD.
I hope NJ is a death penalty state and he is charged with M1. :moo: :cow:
Rest In Peace Erica L. Crippen! You will be missed!
:rose:
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