Representative Mark Olson and ‘Battered Husband Syndrome’
Jan Brown of the Domestic Abuse Helpline for Men and Women has some interesting thoughts below about Representative Mark Olson (pictured) and his recent domestic violence trial.
Representative Mark Olson and ‘Battered Husband Syndrome’
Representative Mark Olson (R-MN) was arrested in November of last year on domestic assault charges. According to the news reports, the charges stemmed from an argument with his wife of three or four years, Heidi. Heidi has five children from a previous marriage, and the argument was over one of her children, who is described as autistic.
What’s most interesting about this case is that Mr. Olson’s attorney decided (from what the newspapers report) to use a defense of “battered husband’s syndrome” at his trial. You rarely hear about this defense being used by a man, though often it is used as a defense for women who are charged with a felony or murder of their intimate partners.
Rep. Olson was charged with two misdemeanor domestic assault charges, one of intending to cause her to fear bodily harm and a more serious charge of harming or intending to harm her. He testified that Heidi was the one that instigated the abuse that led to his arrest. He also testified tearfully that she had been verbally threatening and at times physically abusive throughout their marriage.
Read more about the abuse he says he endured here.
The jury found Rep. Olson guilty of the lesser charge and acquitted him of the more serious charge. After the verdict, Rep. Olson is quoted as saying he still loves his wife, which is not unusual for victims to say.
To learn more about how this will affect Rep. Olson’s term, click here. A few questions:
If he was a “she” would the jury have acquitted “her” of both charges? If Rep. Olson’s attorney didn’t use the “battered husband” defense, would he have been found guilty on both counts? Judges and juries need to be educated on male victimization in order to make an informed decision in these cases.
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Stumble It!
August 4th, 2007 at 4:40 pm
lindsey…good choice for an article!! Did you interview this guy youreself!!
August 4th, 2007 at 4:41 pm
“You rarely hear about this defense being used by a man”
When my ex-wife and her 300 lb father beat me up, and I didn’t hit her back, but nevertheless I was the one charged with domestic abuse, I wanted to defend myself using the simple truth, i.e. she hit me, I didn’t hit her. In fact, I wanted her charged, since that is what really happened.
But everyone I consulted with advised me that I would be “laughed out of the courtroom”, and that she would never be charged. Basically, effectively, any way you look at it, the truth is irrelevant in these cases.
So, given that women abuse men roughly equal with men abusing women, a better question might be, why do you “rarely hear about this defense being used by a man”?
I’m guessing the only reason this guy was bold enough to try to defend himself with “battered husband syndrome”, and the reason his lawyer went along with it, is because of his position as a Representative. When any regular Joe gets beat up by his wife and then HE is charged for it, the truth is not an option.
August 4th, 2007 at 8:00 pm
We had a case recently in Oz, where a labor MP was accused of DV. Before the trial, at the accusation stage, the Party distanced itself from him and dropped him from endorsement. The Party leader denounced him and said “We won’t tolerate people like that in the Party”.
He was found guilty at trial and ejected from the Party in disgrace. He Appealed. At his appeal it became very apparant that his ‘girlfriend’ had been abusive, voilent and suicidal and he had merely restrained her from hurting herself. He had been trying to protect her from herself. She agreed. He was acquitted.
Career ruined.
August 5th, 2007 at 7:38 pm
It’s tough being a step parent and all, but her with FIVE KIDS by another man to raise?
What a sucker! What was this guy thinking anyway?
How the heck did THAT get by his radar?
Boy howdy, he should have seen all that crap coming a long way off!
Sounds like he didn’t have his personal life in order or have his head on straight anyway.
IF this is true, he needs to own up to his behavior, get some real help and face the music like a REAL MAN and not hide behind this battered husband defense.
A REAL MAN is the leader of his family and a leader does not abuse in ANY way those he cares for.
August 5th, 2007 at 11:33 pm
So, Vicar, what is a “real” man to do when his psychotic wife comes after him with a baseball bat?
Or do you think that is somehow impossible and never happens?
August 6th, 2007 at 6:29 am
So, Vicar, what is a “real” man to do when his psychotic wife comes after him with a baseball bat?
Or do you think that is somehow impossible and never happens?
Perhaps “the Vicar” could tell us his views on Mary Winkler’s slaying of her preacher husband by shooting him in the back with a shotgun.
Any Excuse Works for Women Who Commit Domestic Violence
Working the Domestic Violence Scam
August 6th, 2007 at 6:34 am
someone from the mens rights movement should interview this guy in person…and maybee get him on board with the mens rights movement!!
August 6th, 2007 at 7:14 am
Call the cops. When this matter comes to court, the fellow can say in all honesty that he did not hit her.
Domestic violence is the result of a bad relationship, not something that “just happens.”
Male, female—shouldn’t happen.
There is no excuse for coming to blows in any relationship, but it’s not a perfect world, is it?