VICTIM IMPACT STATEMENT

Today, my abuser and the man who killed both of my dogs, pleaded guilty to the animal cruelty (and killing) of my dog Kirby on June 23, 2020. I was allowed to deliver a statement, and I did. When I delivered my statement, I had the full attention of everyone in the courtroom. The judge listened intently to every word I said. And when I was done, my abuser was admonished for the horrific things he has done. This is my statement.

GUILTY. GUILTY GUILTY GUILTY GUILTY GUILTY. He is pleading guilty. A lot has happened in the past year. This episode takes you through every Court update and trial preparation leading up to this Thursday: when he pleads guilty.

The day after Daisy died, I was fighting for my life. This is: The Day After Daisy.

This is it. Daisy's story. The day Daisy was killed. How she was killed. How he did it. This is a very emotional episode but one that I share as we honor and love our sweet girl. Together we share in grief, sorrow, anger, and despair. But most importantly, we love and acknowledge our sweet girl in: Daisy's Story.

The weekend before Daisy. Mat obtained a second German Shepherd and brought both dogs over to my apartment in what I didn't know to be Daisy's last weekend alive. This is Sarah's Story: The Weekend Before Daisy.

This episode takes us through the rest of April, the few weeks after he said "I love you" for the first time. The manipulation, control, threats, and fear were immediate. This is Sarah's Story: April 2020 (after "I love you").

How did I learn to trust again? What was it like opening up? How is it for him, being in a relationship with me after domestic abuse? We talk about it all in: Dating After Abuse: Part 2 - Q&A with my husband!

How do you date after abuse? How do you get out there and trust another partner, to let them in your life, to be vulnerable after experiencing abuse? I did it. I survived domestic abuse and I dated. And I found my forever person, but we'll get to that in Part 2. This is how I healed and grew threw the trauma of abuse and came out the other side. This is Dating After Abuse: Part 1 - The List.

MB was arrested and in custody as of 2 days ago (February 9, 2023). The US Marshals and Chicago PD organized a fugitive task force to find him, and they did. And: My abuser was arrested…again.

Yep, you read the title right. Hear the court update in this episode: MB missed court yesterday (and now there’s a warrant out for his arrest).