Wives with Knives (2012–…): Season 2, Episode 2 - Silent Secrets - full transcript

Narrator: A WOMAN CUT OFF
FROM THE WORLD...

MY PARENTS FOUND OUT
THAT I WAS DEAF WHEN I WAS BORN.

Narrator:
...FINALLY FINDS LOVE...

THEIR RELATIONSHIP IN THE BEGINNING
- IT WAS LIKE A STORYBOOK.

Narrator: ...BUT WHEN JEALOUSY
BREAKS THE BOND

THAT BINDS
THIS COUPLE TOGETHER...

SHE WOULD GO, AND SHE WOULD TEXT
HER EX-HUSBAND.

I WAS TIRED OF BEING
A PUNCHING BAG FOR HIM.

Narrator: ...IT SENDS HIM
INTO THE ARMS OF ANOTHER WOMAN.

Caleb: SHE WAS GONNA BE LEFT
IN THE DUST.

SHE PROBABLY SNAPPED.



I DIDN'T REALIZE THAT SHE
COULD HAVE GONE THAT FAR.

A LOVE TRIANGLE
LIKE THAT CAN BE DANGEROUS.

Narrator: SHE'S DRIVEN
TO ONE FINAL, DESPERATE ACT.

NOT ALL FAIRY TALES
HAVE HAPPY ENDINGS.

[ WOMAN SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY ]

WHEN LOVE GOES WRONG,
A WOMAN CAN DO THE UNTHINKABLE.

CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY
DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS

FALL 2006. NORTH CAROLINA.

[ CHILDREN SHOUTING
INDISTINCTLY ]

[ DOG BARKING ]

[ SIRENS WAIL IN DISTANCE ]

FOR 27-YEAR-OLD COURTNEY BELL,
IT'S A SILENT WORLD.

COURTNEY IS DEAF, AND HER LIFE
IS SHATTERING BEFORE HER EYES.

SHE'S BEGGING HER HUSBAND,
ROBERT, NOT TO LEAVE.



BUT AFTER A TURBULENT THREE-YEAR
MARRIAGE, HIS MIND IS MADE UP.

COURTNEY AND ROBERT FIRST MET

ATTENDING THE SAME HIGH SCHOOL
FOR THE DEAF.

WE HAD A VERY STRONG CONNECTION.

WE REALLY UNDERSTOOD EACH OTHER,
SO WE REALLY FELL IN LOVE.

BUT THEN
THINGS STARTED TO CHANGE.

HE STARTED DRINKING,
OUT PARTYING WITH HIS FRIENDS.

I WANTED TO ENCOURAGE HIM
TO STOP, AND I DID,

BUT HE NEVER LISTENED TO ME.

Narrator:
COURTNEY IS DEVASTATED.

AT THE LAST MINUTE,

HE LET ME KNOW THAT HE WAS
PACKING AND LEAVING.

Narrator:
SHE HAS TWO YOUNG CHILDREN -

A HEARING DAUGHTER NAMED RANA
WITH ROBERT

AND A HEARING SON NAMED JASON
FROM AN EARLIER RELATIONSHIP.

AFRAID AND UNWILLING TO FACE
LIFE AS A SINGLE MOTHER OF TWO,

THIS WIFE REFUSES TO LET
HER HUSBAND GO QUIETLY.

IT HASN'T BEEN AN EASY ROAD
FOR COURTNEY.

EVEN AS A CHILD, LOVE ALWAYS
SEEMED TO BE JUST OUT OF REACH.

MY PARENTS FOUND OUT THAT I WAS
DEAF WHEN I WAS BORN,

AND THEY WERE SAD.

THEY WERE DISAPPOINTED.

Woman:
AND WE WERE IN THE WATER, AND...

I'LL TELL YOU IN A MINUTE.

Narrator: COURTNEY GREW UP
IN AN ALL-HEARING FAMILY...

[ LAUGHTER ]

...THE MIDDLE CHILD
OF THREE GIRLS.

I FELT
LIKE THEY WOULD IGNORE ME.

Narrator: COURTNEY DESPERATELY WANTS
HER FATHER'S LOVE AND APPROVAL.

MY PARENTS DIVORCED
WHEN I WAS 4 OR 5.

I DO BELIEVE MY FATHER IS CLOSER
TO MY SISTERS.

I DON'T THINK
HE TRULY ACCEPTED WHO I AM.

Narrator: WHEN HER FATHER
REMARRIES, COURTNEY FEELS

IT DRIVES AN EVEN BIGGER WEDGE
BETWEEN THEM.

DR. CASEY JORDAN STUDIES
CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR.

FOR COURTNEY,
HER NEED TO BE UNDERSTOOD,

THAT CRAVING FOR LOVE
AND ATTENTION

WHICH WAS ALWAYS MISSING
IN HER CHILDHOOD,

IS REALLY GOING TO AFFECT
ALL OF HER FUTURE RELATIONSHIPS.

I'LL BE HONEST WITH YOU -
I DON'T TRUST HEARING PEOPLE.

I HAVEN'T TRUSTED THEM
FOR YEARS.

MM-HMM. BECAUSE OF MY FATHER.

Narrator: DESPITE
THEIR CHALLENGING RELATIONSHIP,

COURTNEY'S DAD OFFERS

TO LET HER AND ROBERT LIVE
IN A HOUSE HE OWNS.

Interpreter: AT FIRST, IT WAS
WONDERFUL, IN THE BEGINNING.

EVERYTHING WAS PERFECT.

THEN THINGS STARTED TO CHANGE.

HE WOULD WORK AND PARTY,
WORK AND PARTY.

I MEAN, WE'RE TALKING UNTIL
2:00 OR 3:00 IN THE MORNING.

Narrator:
AS PAINFUL AS IT IS TO ADMIT,

COURTNEY REALIZES
HER PERFECT LIFE WITH ROBERT

IS JUST A FANTASY,

AND THE IDEA OF BEING STRANDED
WITH TWO YOUNG KIDS

IS TOO MUCH FOR HER TO HANDLE.

SHE BELIEVES
HER ONLY OPTION IS SUICIDE.

[ KNIFE CLATTERS ]

ROBERT CAN'T HANDLE
THE SITUATION.

HE CALLS COURTNEY'S PARENTS,
THEN LEAVES.

HER PARENTS DECIDE
SHE NEEDS HELP.

COURTNEY AGREES TO CHECK HERSELF
IN TO A MENTAL-HEALTH CLINIC.

HER KIDS GO TO LIVE
WITH HER FATHER AND STEPMOTHER.

TWO WEEKS LATER,
SHE COMES HOME TO AN EMPTY HOUSE

AND A PILE OF BILLS.

[ SIGHS ]

Narrator: ROBERT WAS
THE PRIMARY BREADWINNER,

AND WITHOUT HIM,
SHE'LL BARELY SCRAPE BY.

THERE'S ONLY ONE SOLUTION -

FIND ANOTHER MAN.

Interpreter: I WAS TRYING
TO LOOK FOR SOMEBODY

THAT COULD HELP ME HAVE
A STABLE LIFE AND A STABLE HOME.

Dr. Jordan: DID IT EVER OCCUR
TO YOU THAT YOU NEEDED

TO FIND YOURSELF ON YOUR OWN
WITHOUT INTERPRETING YOURSELF

THROUGH A RELATIONSHIP
WITH ANOTHER MAN?

WHEN I GREW UP,
I WAS LONELY,

AND I FELT LIKE
I DIDN'T GET ATTENTION.

I FELT LIKE I NEEDED LOVE.
I NEEDED PASSION.

I NEEDED TO HAVE SOMEBODY
BY MY SIDE.

Narrator: DARNELL IS A DEAF MAN
FROM CALIFORNIA.

COURTNEY HOPES HE'S HER TICKET
OUT OF LONELINESS.

Interpreter: I NEEDED SOMEBODY
THERE TO COMMUNICATE WITH

AND TO UNDERSTAND MY HEART.

Narrator: AFTER JUST A FEW WEEKS
OF DATING,

DARNELL INVITES HER TO FOLLOW
HIM BACK TO THE WEST COAST.

COURTNEY THINKS A FRESH START
IN A NEW PLACE

IS JUST WHAT SHE NEEDS.

THERE'S JUST ONE PROBLEM -
WHAT TO DO WITH HER KIDS.

ONCE AGAIN, HER DAD AND STEPMOM
ARE THERE FOR HER.

IT WAS
WHAT WAS BEST FOR THE KIDS.

I WANTED THEM TO HAVE
A SAFE AND STABLE ENVIRONMENT

AND GO TO SCHOOL.

I KNOW IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT
FOR KIDS TO HAVE A STABLE LIFE

AND NOT BE MOVING AROUND
TOO MUCH.

Dr. Jordan: COURTNEY'S NEVER
GONNA BE COMFORTABLE WITH HERSELF,

BECAUSE THAT WOULD MEAN
BEING AT PEACE

WITH THE ISOLATION
THAT SHE'S GROWN UP WITH.

SHE NEEDS A MAN IN HER LIFE

TO BE HER CONDUIT
TO THE OUTSIDE WORLD.

Narrator:
AFTER PROMISING HER KIDS

SHE'LL COME BACK FOR THEM
ONCE SHE'S SETTLED,

COURTNEY HEADS OUT
TO VISALIA, CALIFORNIA,

200 MILES NORTH OF LOS ANGELES.

THE FIRST FEW WEEKS THERE
ARE PURE BLISS.

COURTNEY LOVES CALIFORNIA.

SHE ALSO MAKES SOME NEW FRIENDS.

I MET COURTNEY THROUGH DARNELL.
SHE WAS SWEET.

WE WOULD TALK.

SHE WOULD EXPLAIN TO ME

AND TALK TO ME ABOUT HER LIFE
AND HER PARENTS.

Narrator: BUT HER NEW FRIEND,
KELLY LARSEN,

SEES COURTNEY AND DARNELL'S
RELATIONSHIP

START TO SOUR PRETTY QUICKLY.

FOR COURTNEY, THIS SHORT-LIVED
RELATIONSHIP HAS HIT A DEAD END.

Interpreter: WE HAD DECIDED TO
SEPARATE BECAUSE HE WAS DRINKING.

YOU KNOW, I GAVE HIM A CHOICE -

"DO YOU WANT LOVE,
OR DO YOU WANT ALCOHOL?"

SO WE JUST DECIDED
TO BE FRIENDS.

Narrator: SHE PLANS TO HEAD HOME
TO NORTH CAROLINA -

THAT IS UNTIL SHE MEETS

THE LARSENS' 21-YEAR-OLD SON,
JONATHAN.

JONATHAN WAS A VERY FUNNY,
SWEET - OH, JUST LIKE A CLOWN.

HE HAD
A REALLY GOOD SENSE OF HUMOR.

HE LOVED TO HELP PEOPLE.

Interpreter: WELL, AT FIRST, WHEN I
SAW HIM, I DIDN'T THINK HE WAS MY TYPE.

HE WASN'T SOMEBODY I WOULD DATE.

[ CHUCKLES ]

WE STARTED CHATTING.

HE WAS VERY SMART,
VERY INTERESTING,

AND COMMUNICATION WAS WONDERFUL
BETWEEN US.

IT WAS PERFECT.
IT WAS JUST SEAMLESS.

Narrator:
DESPITE HER FIRST IMPRESSION,

COURTNEY FINDS HERSELF ATTRACTED
TO JONATHAN.

UNFORTUNATELY,
HE ALREADY HAS A GIRLFRIEND.

EVEN THOUGH HE'S OFF-LIMITS,

COURTNEY HOPES THAT MAYBE
SHE CAN WIN HIS AFFECTION.

BUT SHE MAY NEVER GET
THE CHANCE.

COMING UP,
A DRAMA-FILLED ROMANCE

BETWEEN TWO FRAGILE PEOPLE

BECOMES A RECIPE FOR DISASTER.

Narrator: WINTER 2006.

VISALIA, CALIFORNIA.

AFTER A STRING
OF FAILED RELATIONSHIPS,

COURTNEY BELL HAS FALLEN

FOR HER FRIEND'S SON,
JONATHAN LARSEN,

BUT HE'S DATING SOMEONE ELSE.

THE COMPLICATED SITUATION
THEN TAKES A NEAR-TRAGIC TURN.

JONATHAN TRIED TO KILL HIMSELF
BECAUSE HIS EX DECIDED

TO BREAK UP WITH HIM.

[ EXHALES DEEPLY ]

Narrator: JONATHAN'S FAMILY BARELY
GETS HIM TO THE HOSPITAL IN TIME.

[ ELEVATOR BELL DINGS ]

AFTER LEARNING WHAT HAPPENED,
COURTNEY RUSHES TO HIS SIDE.

SHE STILL THINKS A FUTURE
WITH HIM IS POSSIBLE.

WITH OUR DEAF CULTURE AND HIS
FAMILY, I THOUGHT IT WOULD WORK.

Narrator:
JONATHAN IS HAPPY TO SEE HER.

SHE LIFTS HIS SPIRITS

AND PROMISES TO VISIT
AS LONG AS HE'S THERE.

AND THAT'S HOW THEY FELL IN
LOVE - THERE AT THE HOSPITAL.

Narrator:
COURTNEY CANCELS HER PLANS

TO GO BACK TO NORTH CAROLINA
SO SHE CAN BE WITH JONATHAN.

Interpreter: HE SAID, "IF YOU WANT ME
TO STOP DRINKING, I'LL DO IT FOR YOU."

HE WOULD DO ANYTHING FOR ME.

SO THAT'S HOW I REALLY FELL
IN LOVE WITH HIM

AND HIS PERSONALITY.

Narrator: ONCE HE'S RELEASED
FROM THE HOSPITAL,

SHE MOVES IN WITH THE LARSENS,

AND IT'S NOT LONG
BEFORE A ROMANCE BLOSSOMS.

THEIR RELATIONSHIP IN THE BEGINNING
- IT WAS LIKE A STORYBOOK.

Narrator: COURTNEY AND JONATHAN'S
MOM, KELLY, ARE CLOSE...

UNTIL KELLY LEARNS MORE
ABOUT COURTNEY.

SHE WAS SWEET AND NICE.

WE GOT ALONG GREAT...

UNTIL I FOUND OUT
THAT SHE HAD KIDS.

AND I SAID, "WHY ARE YOU NOT
WITH YOUR KIDS?"

SHE'S LIKE, "BECAUSE I NEED
TO FIND A MAN TO SUPPORT ME,"

AND I WAS LIKE, "WHOA. WHAT?

YOU NEED TO GO BACK HOME
AND BE WITH YOUR KIDS."

Narrator: COURTNEY TELLS KELLY
TO MIND HER OWN BUSINESS.

Interpreter #2: AND THAT'S WHEN
WE STARTED NOT GETTING ALONG,

AND THINGS JUST STARTED GETTING
WORSE AND WORSE.

BUT JONATHAN
FELL IN LOVE WITH HER.

Narrator: BUT KELLY LARSEN CAN'T
KEEP HER FEELINGS TO HERSELF.

SHE DOESN'T THINK
COURTNEY IS GOOD FOR JONATHAN,

AND SHE LETS HER KNOW IT.

MY MOM JUST -
HER HEAD JUST HIT THE ROOF,

AND SHE DIDN'T WANT MY BROTHER
TO BE AROUND SOMEBODY LIKE THAT.

SO MY MOM
STARTED HATING COURTNEY.

WE HAD SOME PROBLEMS
BECAUSE OF HIS MOTHER

AND THEN HIS FATHER
AND THEN HIS BROTHER,

BECAUSE NONE OF THEM LIKED ME,

AND THEY DISAGREED WITH THE FACT
THAT HE WAS WITH ME.

I THOUGHT
THAT WAS GONNA HAPPEN.

Narrator:
JONATHAN TAKES COURTNEY'S SIDE

AND TELLS HIS MOTHER
TO STOP MEDDLING.

MY MOM DIDN'T WANT JONATHAN
TO GO, SO SHE LET THEM STAY.

Dr. Jordan: JONATHAN'S FAMILY
DOES NOT LIKE NOR ACCEPT COURTNEY,

PARTICULARLY BECAUSE SHE'S LEFT
HER CHILDREN BEHIND,

AND THEY THINK
THAT SHE IS A BAD INFLUENCE.

THE CONFLICT IN THE HOUSE
BECOMES REALLY PALPABLE,

AND IT BECOMES VERY CLEAR
TO COURTNEY

THAT IT'S TIME TO GET OUT.

Narrator: JULY 2007.

AFTER A TENSE FEW MONTHS,
COURTNEY CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE.

SHE AND JONATHAN MOVE
BACK TO NORTH CAROLINA.

THE HAPPY COUPLE RENTS
A SMALL APARTMENT

AND SETS UP HOUSE

WITH PLANS
FOR COURTNEY'S CHILDREN

TO JOIN THEM
ONCE THEY'RE SETTLED.

IN ORDER TO STAY IN TOUCH WITH
HIS FAMILY BACK IN CALIFORNIA,

JONATHAN BUYS A VIDEO PHONE.

IT'S ALWAYS UP AND RUNNING

AND WILL BE A WINDOW
INTO THIS COUPLE'S RELATIONSHIP.

THE YOUNG LOVERS LIVE OFF THEIR
GOVERNMENT-ASSISTANCE MONEY

AND THE INCOME JONATHAN
BRINGS IN FROM ODD JOBS.

IT'S NOT LONG
BEFORE COURTNEY FINDS OUT

SHE'S PREGNANT YET AGAIN.

Interpreter:
JONATHAN WAS SO EXCITED

ABOUT BEING A FATHER
AND HAVING A CHILD.

HE WAS VERY, VERY EXCITED.

[ MUSIC BOX PLAYS ]

Narrator: ON APRIL 6, 2008,
COURTNEY AND JONATHAN

CELEBRATE THE BIRTH
OF THEIR DAUGHTER, LESLIE.

JONATHAN IS NERVOUS
IN HIS NEW ROLE AS DAD

BUT INSTANTLY FALLS IN LOVE
WITH HER.

ALTHOUGH BOTH PARENTS ARE DEAF,
LESLIE CAN HEAR,

JUST LIKE
COURTNEY'S TWO OLDER CHILDREN.

THEY'RE STILL LIVING
WITH HER DAD AND STEPMOM,

LESS THAN 20 MILES AWAY,
AND COURTNEY VISITS THEM OFTEN.

[ BABY FUSSES ]

BUT THE STRESS AND EXPENSE
OF HAVING A NEWBORN

IS CREATING CRACKS IN
THE COUPLE'S HAPPY RELATIONSHIP.

HIS FAMILY WATCHES
THROUGH THE VIDEO PHONE...

CALEB.

...AS THIS COUPLE'S RELATIONSHIP
QUICKLY UNRAVELS.

Interpreter #2:
JONATHAN WOULD WORK HARD -

YOU KNOW, TWO DIFFERENT JOBS -

AND COURTNEY WOULD SAY,
"OH, IT'S NOT ENOUGH.

I NEED MORE."

AND JONATHAN FELT LIKE, "I
HAVE TO DO MORE ALL THE TIME."

Narrator:
ACCORDING TO HIS FAMILY,

COURTNEY
STARTS ABUSING JONATHAN,

EMOTIONALLY AND PHYSICALLY,

WHEN HE FAILS TO LIVE UP
TO HER EXPECTATIONS.

I'VE SEEN COURTNEY PUSH HIM.

I'VE SEEN HER SMACK
THE BACK OF HIS HEAD.

I'VE SEEN HER GETTING UP
IN HIS FACE, YELLING AT HIM,

BUT MOSTLY
JUST PUSHING HIM AROUND.

Caleb:
HE WAS LIKE A HOLLOW MAN.

HE WASN'T THE SAME COOL GUY
THAT I KNEW -

LIKE, THE ONE THAT WAS MELLOW
AND CHILL.

Narrator: BUT COURTNEY CLAIMS
JONATHAN WAS THE REAL MANIPULATOR.

Interpreter: HE WANTED THINGS
HIS WAY, NOT MINE.

THERE WERE
A LOT OF MISUNDERSTANDINGS,

SO I TRIED TO BE REALLY CAREFUL
ABOUT WHAT I SAID.

Dr. Jordan: ONCE COURTNEY AND
JONATHAN HAVE LEFT HIS FAMILY,

YOU WOULD THINK THEIR
RELATIONSHIP WOULD IMPROVE,

BUT THEIR FIGHTS BECOME
MORE AND MORE PHYSICAL,

AND YOU SEE A SLOW ESCALATION
OF A SITUATION

THAT CAN ONLY BECOME
MORE DANGEROUS OVER TIME.

Narrator:
WHEN LESLIE IS 5 MONTHS OLD,

JONATHAN COMES HOME

FROM A LONG NIGHT OF DRINKING
AND GETTING HIGH

TO FIND COURTNEY TEXTING
WITH A FRIEND.

Betsy: HE WAS DRUNK -
WAY VISIBLY DRUNK.

SHE WAS TEXTING ANOTHER GUY -
HER EX-HUSBAND -

AND THAT SET HIM OFF.

Dr. Jordan: COURTNEY, AT THIS POINT,
IT SOUNDS LIKE IT'S GETTING WORSE.

IT'S NOT JUST JEALOUSY.
IT'S NOT JUST CONTROLLING.

HE'S BECOMING
EXTREMELY POSSESSIVE.

HE DIDN'T LIKE ME TO TALK
WITH A LOT OF FRIENDS.

MY EX-HUSBAND, ROBERT -
WE HAD A CHILD TOGETHER.

WE WERE FRIENDS.

BUT IT WASN'T LIKE, YOU KNOW,

WE WERE FLIRTING WITH EACH OTHER
OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

YOU KNOW, WE WOULD JUST TALK

ABOUT CATCHING UP
ON OLD NEWS OR NEW NEWS.

Interpreter #2:
JONATHAN DOESN'T BLOW UP EASY.

HE HOLDS THINGS IN,
AND THEN - BOOM.

Narrator:
JEALOUSY AND MISTRUST

HAVE TURNED COURTNEY
AND JONATHAN LARSEN'S HAPPY HOME

INTO A BATTLEFIELD.

WHEN JONATHAN CATCHES HIS WIFE
TALKING TO ONE OF HER EXES,

HE THINKS THE WORST...

AND LASHES OUT AT HER.

[ BABY CRYING ]

UNFORTUNATELY, THE COUPLE'S BABY
GETS CAUGHT IN THE CROSS FIRE.

Interpreter:
I DIDN'T EVEN FEEL ANYTHING.

I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW
I HAD A BLACK EYE

UNTIL I SAW IT IN THE MIRROR,
'CAUSE I WAS IN SUCH SHOCK.

AND MY DAUGHTER HAD A BRUISE
ON HER HEAD, AND SHE WAS CRYING.

Betsy: I DIDN'T THINK IT WAS
IN HIS NATURE TO HIT HER.

I THINK THAT HE JUST DRANK
TOO MUCH AND LET IT -

EVERYTHING THAT WAS PILING UP
GET TO HIM.

Narrator: COURTNEY CALLS HIM
AN UNFIT FATHER

AND THREATENS
THAT HE WILL NEVER SEE HER

OR THEIR DAUGHTER AGAIN.

Interpreter #2:
HE WORSHIPPED HER.

YOU KNOW, WHATEVER SHE WANTED
HIM TO DO, HE WOULD DO.

[ CRYING CONTINUES ]

HE FELT LIKE HE WOULD TRY
AND TRY AND TRY,

AND WHATEVER HE DID
WASN'T ENOUGH.

I JUST THINK HE FELT
LIKE HE WAS OUT OF OPTIONS.

Narrator:
AS SORRY AS JONATHAN IS,

COURTNEY FEELS
SHE CAN'T TRUST HIM.

I CALLED THE POLICE. MM-HMM.

IT'S THE FIRST TIME I DID,
BUT I WAS AFRAID.

Narrator:
THE OFFICERS ARREST JONATHAN,

THEN COURTNEY TAKES THE BABY
TO THE HOSPITAL

TO MAKE SURE SHE'S OKAY.

LUCKILY, LESLIE IS FINE,

BUT COURTNEY IS CRUSHED
WHEN SHE DISCOVERS

THAT THE HOSPITAL STAFF
HAS REPORTED THE INCIDENT

TO CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES.

Interpreter:
WHEN HE GAVE ME THAT BLACK EYE,

CPS TOOK MY DAUGHTER,

AND THAT LED ME TO JUST FEEL
DEVASTATED AND LOSE ALL HOPE.

[ BABY CRYING ]

Narrator: CPS AGREES TO HAND LESLIE
OVER TO COURTNEY'S DAD AND STEPMOM,

WHO ARE ALREADY TAKING CARE
OF COURTNEY'S TWO OLDER KIDS.

WITH HER LIFE IN SHAMBLES,

COURTNEY MAKES
THE PAINFUL DECISION

TO SIGN OVER CUSTODY
OF JASON AND RANA,

HER TWO OLDER CHILDREN,
TO HER PARENTS.

Dr. Jordan: THIS IS
ONE OF THE MORE MATURE DECISIONS

THAT COURTNEY ACTUALLY MAKES.

SHE UNDERSTANDS
THAT HER NEED FOR A MAN

IS OVERRIDING
HER MATERNAL INSTINCTS

AND THAT PERHAPS HER CHILDREN
ARE ACTUALLY BETTER OFF

WITH HER FAMILY.

Narrator: JONATHAN IS SENTENCED
TO THREE MONTHS IN JAIL

AND DOMESTIC-VIOLENCE
COUNSELING.

Caleb: HE SNAPPED.

WE ALL BELIEVED THAT WASN'T
RIGHT, AND HE KNEW IT.

HE FELT REALLY BAD ABOUT IT,

AND THAT HE WAS HAPPY
THAT HE WENT TO JAIL.

Narrator:
BACK HOME, ALONE,

COURTNEY'S STILL REELING
FROM THE ATTACK.

IN DECEMBER 2008,
JONATHAN IS RELEASED FROM JAIL

AND IMMEDIATELY DEFIES
A COURT ORDER

NOT TO CONTACT COURTNEY.

Interpreter:
I WANTED TO FORGET JONATHAN.

I JUST WANTED TO PUT MY FOCUS ON
SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT -

A DIFFERENT LIFE.

I FELT LIKE HE WAS A RISK.

I KNEW IF I STAYED WITH HIM
THAT, LATER ON,

IT COULD BECOME WORSE,
AND THAT WAS TAKING A CHANCE.

Narrator: JONATHAN'S SORRY
FOR EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENED.

DESPITE THEIR PAST ISSUES,
COURTNEY STILL LOVES HIM

AND DECIDES TO GIVE HIM
A SECOND CHANCE.

SHE ALSO APOLOGIZES AND TELLS
HIM THEY CAN WORK IT OUT.

COURTNEY WAS VERY IN LOVE
WITH JONATHAN,

BUT IT WAS DANGEROUS
AT THE SAME TIME,

YOU KNOW,
FOR HER TO BE WITH HIM.

Narrator: THE YOUNG COUPLE VOWS TO
REPAIR THEIR BROKEN RELATIONSHIP.

Officiant: DO YOU TAKE THIS MAN
TO BE YOUR HUSBAND?

THE COUPLE WASTES NO TIME.

IN LESS THAN A YEAR,
THEY GET MARRIED AT CITY HALL

AND MANAGE TO WIN BACK CUSTODY
OF THEIR DAUGHTER, LESLIE,

AND ON APRIL 13, 2010,
ARE THRILLED TO WELCOME

ANOTHER BABY GIRL
THEY NAME JULIE.

BUT SOMETHING'S DIFFERENT
THIS TIME.

JULIE IS DEAF.

WE WERE SO EXCITED.

I FELT SO HAPPY AND SO PROUD,

'CAUSE I FELT
LIKE I WASN'T ALONE ANYMORE,

AND JON FELT THE SAME WAY.

Dr. Jordan: NOW COURTNEY HAS A
DAUGHTER WHO IS JUST LIKE HER,

WHO CAN GROW UP
IN A DEAF CULTURE,

WHICH COURTNEY AND JONATHAN
ARE PROUD TO BE MEMBERS OF.

THIS IS GOING TO BE THE CHILD
WHO UNDERSTANDS HER OWN MOTHER,

AND IN MANY WAYS, IT COMPLETES

THE FAMILY
THAT COURTNEY HAS ALWAYS WANTED.

Narrator:
TO HELP SUPPORT HIS FAMILY,

JONATHAN POSTS AN AD
ON CRAIGSLIST

TO TUTOR PEOPLE
IN AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE.

OH, HI.

HI. NICE TO MEET YOU.
[ CHUCKLES ]

HE GETS A RESPONSE
FROM LISA WATKINS,

A MARRIED 28-YEAR-OLD.

LISA.

SHE'S PICKED UP A LITTLE ASL
THROUGH PEOPLE SHE'S MET

AND THINKS
IT'S A BEAUTIFUL LANGUAGE.

THE TWO MEET REGULARLY
AND BECOME FRIENDS.

"DANCE."
I LIKE TO DANCE.

[ CHUCKLES ]
YES.

WHAT?

WINE.
IT'S WINE WE'RE DRINKING.

Narrator:
THEY MEET EACH OTHER'S SPOUSES,

AND THE COUPLES GROW CLOSE.

I ALWAYS DO THINGS
A LITTLE BACKWARDS, YOU KNOW?

BUT IT'S NOT LONG BEFORE DAVID
AND LISA GET A RINGSIDE SEAT

TO THIS VOLATILE COUPLE'S
BITTER BATTLES.

I GOT TO KNOW THEM
A LITTLE BIT BETTER.

THEIR RELATIONSHIP SEEMED TO BE
A LITTLE ROCKY.

SHE WOULD LIE, MANIPULATE,

AND JUST DO WHATEVER SHE CAN
TO GET HER WAY.

SHE WOULD CALL HIM NAMES
AND PUT HIM DOWN.

Narrator: JONATHAN'S FAMILY
CLAIMS COURTNEY ALSO STARTS

USING THE KIDS AS A PAWN
AGAINST HER HUSBAND.

EVERY TIME THEY'D FIGHT -
EVEN THE CHEAPEST ARGUMENT -

SHE WOULD SAY, "OKAY, THAT'S IT.
YOU'RE NEVER GONNA SEE YOUR KIDS AGAIN."

Narrator:
ACCORDING TO COURTNEY,

JONATHAN STARTS USING HER
AS A PUNCHING BAG.

David:
EVERY TIME HE DRANK,

HE GOES INTO A RAGE...

AND IT SOMETIMES GOT VIOLENT.

WHEN HE GOT DRUNK,
HE WOULD LOSE IT.

HE HIT ME ON MY NOSE
AND CAUSED ME TO BLEED.

HE'D HIT ME ON THE HEAD.

HE'D THROW ME ON THE FLOOR.

[ GRUNTS ]

IT WAS TERRIBLE.

HE REALLY SCARED ME TO DEATH.

Narrator: JONATHAN'S FAMILY
WATCHES HELPLESSLY

ON THEIR VIDEO PHONE.

Betsy: TEXTING - SHE WOULD TEXT
GUYS HE DIDN'T WANT HER TO.

AND SHE WOULD STILL DO IT

AND THROW A FIT ANYWAYS
TO BE ABLE TO DO IT.

Interpreter: ONE TIME, I HIT
HIM, AND I KNOW IT WAS WRONG,

BUT I JUST FELT
LIKE HE WAS NAGGING ME

OVER AND OVER AND OVER,

AND I JUST CONSTANTLY WAS
HOLDING IT IN AND HOLDING IT IN.

SOME OF IT WAS MY FAULT.

SOME OF IT WAS HIS FAULT.

RELATIONSHIPS AREN'T PERFECT.
WE KNOW THAT.

Interpreter #2: SHE WOULD GO,
AND SHE WOULD TEXT HER EX-HUSBAND,

AND THAT WAS THE PROBLEM
IN THEIR MARRIAGE.

AND JONATHAN WOULD TELL HER,
"PLEASE. WE'RE MARRIED.

YOU NEED TO NOT TALK
TO YOUR EXES."

Narrator: BY FEBRUARY 2011,

THE COUPLE DECIDES
THEY NEED SOME TIME APART.

COURTNEY LETS JONATHAN
TAKE LESLIE TO CALIFORNIA

TO VISIT HIS FAMILY

BUT INSISTS ON KEEPING JULIE.

[ BIRDS CHIRPING ]

WHEN JONATHAN AND LESLIE
COME HOME A MONTH LATER,

HE'S SHOCKED TO FIND
AN EMPTY HOUSE.

Interpreter #3: SHE JUST PACKED,
AND SHE JUST LEFT.

AND THEN WHEN JONATHAN
CAME BACK,

HE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED,
AND SHE IS VERY IMPULSIVE.

Narrator: HE TEXTS COURTNEY
AND IS TOTALLY BLINDSIDED

WHEN SHE TELLS HIM SHE AND JULIE
ARE IN FLORIDA,

BECAUSE SHE'S
GOTTEN BACK TOGETHER

WITH NONE OTHER
THAN HER EX-HUSBAND, ROBERT.

HEARTBROKEN,
JONATHAN REACHES OUT

TO HIS FRIENDS LISA AND DAVID.

I HAD TALKED TO MY HUSBAND
AND ASKED HIM IF, YOU KNOW,

IF IT WAS OKAY
IF HE CAME AND STAYED WITH US

UNTIL HE GOT BACK ON HIS FEET.

Narrator: DAVID RELUCTANTLY AGREES
TO LET JONATHAN AND LESLIE STAY.

David:
NOW, IF YOU EVER HAD A QUESTION

THAT YOU ACTUALLY WISH
YOU HAD ANSWERED WITH A "NO,"

THAT'S THIS TIME.

Narrator: COMING UP,

DAVID'S WORLD
IS TURNED UPSIDE DOWN

WHEN HE MAKES
A SHOCKING DISCOVERY.

Narrator: WHEN JONATHAN LARSEN'S
WIFE, COURTNEY,

LEAVES HIM FOR HER EX-HUSBAND,

HE AND THEIR DAUGHTER LESLIE
ARE INVITED TO STAY

WITH THEIR FRIENDS
DAVID AND LISA WATKINS.

BUT DAVID HAS A BAD FEELING
ABOUT THE ARRANGEMENT.

David:
JON WAS ALL THE TIME AROUND HER.

AND THEY'RE LAUGHING, THEY'RE
JOKING AND EVERYTHING ELSE,

AND YOU KNOW THAT THERE'S
A CONNECTION THERE,

AND IT MAKES YOU FEEL
UNCOMFORTABLE.

THAT'S HOW I WAS IN MY HOUSE.

Narrator: A FEW NIGHTS LATER,

DAVID SEES A TEXT
FROM HIS WIFE TO JONATHAN.

WHAT IT SAYS RIPS
THEIR RELATIONSHIP WIDE OPEN.

David: IT'S LIKE, "SHOULD WE
ACTUALLY TELL ANYONE?"

AND SHE SAYS, "NO.

"LET'S JUST HIDE IT
FOR RIGHT NOW

"AND SPEND AS MUCH TIME TOGETHER
AS WE CAN

AND SEE WHERE IT GOES."

LISA.
WHAT?

WHAT IS THIS?
WHAT?

HE WOKE UP
IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT,

SHAKING HIS FIST OVER ME,
YELLING AT ME, SCREAMING AT ME.

WHY DO YOU HAVE MY PHONE?

YOU'VE BEEN DOING A LOT MORE
THAN TALKING WITH JONATHAN.

WHAT? WE WERE JUST TALKING.

David: AND I STARTED QUESTIONING HER.
I WAS JUST MAD AS CRAP.

NO, SWEETIE,
WE WERE JUST JOKING AROUND.

NO.
YOU CAN'T DENY THIS.

THEN SHE TURNED AROUND
AND TOLD ME - SHE SAYS, YES,

SHE HAS FEELINGS FOR HIM.

OH, OKAY. MM-HMM.

PLEASE, DAVID. PLEASE -
SHUT UP!

Narrator: DAVID IS CONVINCED
THAT LISA HAS BEEN CHEATING

RIGHT UNDER HIS NOSE.

DAVID, WHAT ARE YOU GONNA DO?
PLEASE!

JONATHAN. JONATHAN, WAKE UP!
WAKE UP!

Lisa:
I KNOW HOW MY EX-HUSBAND IS,

AND HE GETS VERY, VERY JEALOUS,

AND HE HAS A TENDENCY
TO ACT BEFORE HE THINKS.

I TOLD YOU - I TOLD YOU -
OH, MY GOD, DAVID, I TOLD YOU.

STOP TALKING TO ME!
DAVID.

HE SAW THE PHONE.

THAT NIGHT'S KIND OF A BLUR.

BUT I ASKED
BOTH OF THEM TO LEAVE.

I'M GONNA ASK ONE MORE TIME -
I WANT YOU ALL OUT.

PLEASE, DON'T DO THIS.

TELL HIM TO GET OUT OF MY HOUSE,
THEN.

WE HAVE TO GO.

Lisa:
I WAS HURT. I WAS SCARED.

I WAS SHAKING THE ENTIRE TIME.

HE THREW A BUNCH OF MINE
AND JON'S STUFF OVER THE PORCH.

BOTH OF US WERE CLUELESS
ON WHAT TO DO.

Narrator: LISA, JONATHAN, AND
HIS 3-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER LESLIE

HEAD TO A FRIEND'S HOUSE
TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO NEXT.

A WEEK LATER,
THEY FIND A PLACE TOGETHER,

AND, ACCORDING TO LISA,
IT'S ONLY THEN

THAT SHE AND JONATHAN
BECOME MORE THAN FRIENDS.

WE HAD KIND OF JOKED ABOUT IT
BEFORE, BUT I WAS LIKE,

"WELL, I GUESS NOW WE COULD
ACTUALLY REALLY DO IT."

Narrator: JONATHAN AND LISA
FALL DEEPLY IN LOVE.

Caleb:
WHEN HE TALKED ABOUT HER,

HE WAS BACK TO THAT KID
THAT WE KNEW - SMILEY, HAPPY.

SHE SUPPORTED HIM - SOMETHING
THAT COURTNEY NEVER DID FOR HIM.

AND I THINK ALL THOSE YEARS
OF LACK OF THAT,

IT MADE HIM FEEL LIKE LOVE
AND LIFE AGAIN.

YOU'RE GONNA
TELL COURTNEY.

Narrator: THE COUPLE IS SURE
COURTNEY WON'T REACT WELL

WHEN SHE HEARS
ABOUT THEIR RELATIONSHIP.

TO THEIR SURPRISE,
IT BARELY REGISTERS A RESPONSE.

HER REACTION WAS VERY MELLOW.

SHE DIDN'T REALLY CARE.

[ CELLPHONE VIBRATES ]

SHE HAD HER EX-HUSBAND.

SHE SEEMED TO BE VERY HAPPY
WITH HIM.

Narrator: BUT IN REALITY,
COURTNEY IS FURIOUS.

EVEN THOUGH SHE'S THE ONE WHO
WALKED OUT ON THEIR MARRIAGE,

SHE CAN'T STAND THE THOUGHT OF
JONATHAN SHACKING UP WITH LISA.

Interpreter #3:
SHE WAS STUNNED.

SHE'S JUST CONCERNED ABOUT HIM
BEING IN LOVE WITH LISA.

I TOLD HER, "YOU JUST NEED
TO LEAVE HIM ALONE.

"LET HIM GO. YOU HAVE ROBERT.

"YOU DON'T NEED TO GET BACK
WITH HIM JUST, YOU KNOW,

BECAUSE HE'S WITH HER."

Narrator: COURTNEY CLAIMS THAT,
WITHIN A MONTH,

ROBERT GOES BACK
TO HIS OLD PARTYING WAYS.

I FELT LIKE ROBERT
CHOSE HIS FRIENDS

OVER A RELATIONSHIP AND LOVE.

THIS IS A WEAKNESS OF HIS,
SO I DECIDED TO LEAVE.

ROBERT WOKE UP ONE MORNING,
AND COURTNEY WAS GONE.

Narrator: ALONE ONCE AGAIN
WITH A BABY TO TAKE CARE OF,

COURTNEY REACHES OUT
TO JONATHAN.

Lisa: COURTNEY SAID
THAT SHE WAS SCARED,

AND SHE NEEDED A PLACE TO GO,

AND I WAS LIKE,
"WELL, OF COURSE.

"YEAH, SHE CAN COME HERE.

I MEAN, SHE'S THE MOTHER
OF YOUR CHILDREN."

Narrator:
JONATHAN AND LISA AGREE

THAT THEIR RELATIONSHIP
WILL HAVE TO WAIT

FOR THE SAKE OF HIS CHILDREN.

BUT WHEN COURTNEY MOVES IN,
IT QUICKLY BECOMES OBVIOUS

THAT THIS NEW FAMILY DYNAMIC
IS DOOMED.

I'VE HEARD
YOU ACTUALLY DESCRIBE

THE RELATIONSHIP
BETWEEN THE THREE OF YOU

AS SOMETHING
OF A LOVE TRIANGLE.

YEAH.
YES.

ARE YOU SAYING THAT JONATHAN
STILL HAD AFFECTION -

THAT HE LOVED LISA?

REALLY, I BELIEVE,
JONATHAN REALLY LOVED LISA 100%.

I THINK
HE LOVED ME MAYBE 95%.

I THINK HE WANTED ME BACK
MAINLY FOR THE CHILDREN.

SO I FELT VERY WEIRD.

A LOVE TRIANGLE LIKE THAT
CAN BE DANGEROUS.

Lisa:
AND SHE WOULD NOT LET HIM

HAVE PRETTY MUCH ANY CONTACT
WITH ME.

HE WASN'T ALLOWED TO,
YOU KNOW, EVEN STEP FOOT

IN THE BEDROOM DOOR
TO SPEAK TO ME.

Narrator: COURTNEY'S ATTITUDE
MAKES ALL THREE OF THEM MISERABLE.

Lisa:
IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT

TO WATCH THEM BE A COUPLE
INSIDE THE HOUSE,

KNOWING THAT I STILL LOVED HIM
AND HE LOVED ME,

BUT I KNEW, FOR THE BETTER GOOD,
THIS IS WHAT WE HAD TO DO.

Dr. Jordan: IT'S REALLY
ALMOST AN ACT OF CRUELTY

THAT SHE CALLS UP JONATHAN
AND WANTS TO MOVE INTO THE HOUSE

WHERE HE'S NOW LIVING IN
A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH LISA.

BY INJECTING HERSELF
INTO THEIR HOME,

SHE SETS UP ALL OF THEM
FOR A TOXIC LOVE TRIANGLE

IN WHICH
THERE CAN BE NO WINNERS.

Narrator: THE NEXT DAY,

JONATHAN AND COURTNEY
PACK UP THE KIDS

AND HEAD TO CALIFORNIA
TO SEE HIS FAMILY.

THE COUPLE SPENDS THE ENTIRE
TRIP AT EACH OTHER'S THROATS.

THEY ARRIVE IN CALIFORNIA
AND STAY WITH JONATHAN'S FAMILY.

EVEN THOUGH THEY LEFT LISA
IN NORTH CAROLINA,

COURTNEY IS CONVINCED

THAT JONATHAN IS SLIPPING AWAY
FROM HER.

I ENCOURAGED HIM TO STOP
ALL COMMUNICATION WITH LISA,

BUT HE WOULDN'T.

I WASN'T ALLOWED TO TALK
TO ANY OF MY FRIENDS OR MY EXES,

SO WHAT'S UP WITH THAT?

SHE WOULD SAY OVER AND OVER
AGAIN, "I KNOW IT.

I KNOW HE'S GOING BACK TO LISA."

SHE PROBABLY SAID THAT
THREE OR FOUR TIMES.

Dr. Jordan: WHEN JONATHAN AND
COURTNEY GET BACK TO CALIFORNIA,

COURTNEY STILL DISTRUSTS HIM,

CONVINCED THAT HE STILL HAS LOVE
AND AFFECTION FOR LISA.

THE TENSION HASN'T DISSIPATED.

IT'S ACTUALLY AMPING UP.

Narrator: JULY 11, 2011.

JONATHAN'S FAMILY AND COURTNEY'S
EX DARNELL ARE HANGING OUT

WHEN, ONCE AGAIN, COURTNEY
AND JONATHAN BATTLE IT OUT.

THIS TIME, IT'S
OVER A SMALL AMOUNT OF MONEY,

BUT THE FIGHT QUICKLY ESCALATES.

BUT JON JUST WENT OFF,
AND I SAID, "YOU KNOW, STOP.

DON'T FIGHT WITH ME."

AND HE GOT MAD,
AND HE WANTED TO FIGHT,

AND I BACKED OFF,
AND I WALKED AWAY,

AND I WENT TO THE BATHROOM.

Narrator: JONATHAN
ALSO WALKS AWAY AND TEXTS LISA.

[ CELLPHONE VIBRATES ]

HE TELLS HER HE CAN'T STAND
BEING AWAY FROM HER

AND IS THINKING OF COMING HOME.

Lisa:
I WAS VERY EMOTIONAL.

I WAS VERY UPSET.

I JUST WANTED HIM TO COME BACK.

I MISSED HIM SO MUCH.

AND HE CALMED ME DOWN AGAIN.

HE TOLD ME THAT HIS PHONE
WAS GETTING READY TO DIE

AND THAT HE WOULD TALK
TO ME LATER.

Narrator:
COURTNEY IS ALSO BUSY TEXTING.

SHE WAS THERE IN THE RESTROOM
FOR A LONG TIME.

[ SIGHS ]

AND SO JONATHAN WENT
TO CHECK ON COURTNEY

AND TRIED THE DOORKNOB,
AND THE DOOR WAS LOCKED.

Narrator: COURTNEY DOESN'T HEAR
THE FRANTIC BANGING.

JONATHAN FEARS THE WORST.

DARNELL TRIES TO HELP HIM JIMMY
OPEN THE DOOR WITH AN ATM CARD.

I DIDN'T THINK I WOULD BE
IN THE BATHROOM FOR A LONG TIME.

I WAS TEXTING MY FRIENDS.

AND I WAS TALKING IN THE
BATHROOM, TRYING TO COOL OFF.

AND I WASN'T EVEN THINKING
HOW LONG I WAS IN THE BATHROOM.

Narrator: BY THIS TIME,
IT'S AFTER MIDNIGHT.

DARNELL'S HAD ENOUGH
AND GOES HOME.

JONATHAN IS ALL TOO FAMILIAR
WITH COURTNEY'S ERRATIC BEHAVIOR

AND HER PAST SUICIDE ATTEMPT.

NOW HE'S PANICKED.

ACCORDING TO COURTNEY, HE GRABS
A STEAK KNIFE TO JIMMY THE DOOR.

Interpreter: AND I WAS JUST IN THE
MIRROR, KIND OF THINKING TO MYSELF

AND SAYING, "YOU KNOW,
I CAN'T LET THIS GO ON.

"I REALIZE
THAT LISA MAKES HIM HAPPY.

I HAVE TO LET IT GO WITH JON,
YOU KNOW?"

SO I DECIDED THAT THIS WAS IT.

I JUST WANTED TO CHANGE
FOR MY KIDS.

THE PROBLEMS -
THEY WEREN'T IMPORTANT.

THEY WEREN'T WORTH IT.

Narrator: ACCORDING TO COURTNEY,
SHE'S COMPLETELY SURPRISED

WHEN SHE SEES JONATHAN
AT THE DOOR WITH A KNIFE.

Interpreter: I FELT WEIRD,
LIKE SOMETHING WAS WRONG.

HE WAS JUST STANDING THERE.

AND SO, IN MY MIND,
I'M SAYING, "OKAY.

HERE WE GO AGAIN."

I WAS NERVOUS. I WAS SCARED.

AND HE SAID,
"I WANT YOUR PHONE NOW."

AND I SAID, "OKAY.

I'M JUST GONNA GIVE HIM
THE PHONE."

HE GRABBED ME
AND STARTED SHAKING ME,

AND I'M TELLING HIM, "STOP!"

I'M SCREAMING.

YOU KNOW, I'M SCREAMING
FOR HELP, BUT NOBODY'S THERE.

HIS FAMILY'S DEAF.

I KNEW
THAT HE WOULD HIT ME AGAIN,

AND SO I WAS SCARED
AND FREAKED OUT -

YOU KNOW, ALL THE ABUSE.

I SAW THE KNIFE.

Narrator: AFTER NEARLY FIVE YEARS OF
LIES, JEALOUSY, AND ABUSE,

COURTNEY AND JONATHAN LARSEN
HAVE FINALLY REACHED

THE POINT OF NO RETURN
IN THEIR RELATIONSHIP.

CONVINCED
THAT JONATHAN'S WHITE-HOT RAGE

IS ABOUT TO TURN DEADLY,
COURTNEY GOES ON THE DEFENSIVE.

[ GRUNTING ]

COURTNEY STABS JONATHAN
THREE TIMES.

I STABBED HIM.

THAT LAST TIME, I SAW HIS FACE.

IT WAS JUST LIKE IN SLOW MOTION.

I DECIDED
THAT I WOULD STAB MYSELF,

AND I'LL DIE WITH HIM,
AND, YOU KNOW,

I SAID I WOULD DIE FOR HIM, TOO,
AND HE SAID, "NO."

AND THEN, AT THAT POINT,
HE COLLAPSED TO HIS KNEES,

AND I DROPPED THE KNIFE,
AND THEN I RAN.

Narrator:
COURTNEY FRANTICALLY RUSHES

INTO
HER MOTHER-IN-LAW'S BEDROOM.

SHE HAD BLOOD ALL OVER HER
AND ALL OVER ME.

AND COURTNEY SAID,
"I KILLED YOUR SON.

I KILLED YOUR SON!"

AND I SAID, "YOU KNOW, CALL 911.

WE HAVE TO SAVE HIM."

AND THEN I WENT TO
THE OPPOSITE HALL IN A CORNER,

AND I JUST CRIED AND CRIED.

[ CRYING ]

Narrator:
KELLY LARSEN SEES HER SON

LYING BLOODY
ON THE BATHROOM FLOOR.

Interpreter #2:
AND I WAS TRYING TO SHAKE HIM,

AND JONATHAN KIND OF LIKE LOOKED
UP AT ME.

IT LOOKED LIKE HIS EYES
WERE GLAZING OVER.

Narrator:
PANIC-STRICKEN, KELLY RUNS

TO HER SON CALEB'S APARTMENT
TO GET HIS WIFE, BETSY.

BETSY IS A MEDICAL ASSISTANT

WHO'S BEEN CALLED FOR HELP
BEFORE.

I'M THINKING, "OH, GREAT."

YOU KNOW, "SOMEONE CUT THEMSELVES,
THREW A PLATE, SOMETHING."

AS SOON AS I WALK IN,
YOU CAN SMELL BLOOD.

HE WAS GURGLING
'CAUSE HE WAS DROWNING.

OH, MY GOD.

[ SOBS ]
NO, NO, NO, NO. IT'S OKAY.

Narrator: BETSY TAKES JONATHAN
IN HER ARMS.

AND THEN I JUST TRIED
TO COMFORT HIM.

I TOLD HIM THAT I LOVED HIM
AND THAT I WAS HERE FOR HIM.

OH, MY GOD.
OH, MY GOD.

Narrator: CALEB IS STUNNED
BY WHAT HE SEES.

I WAS LIKE, "WHAT THE ****
ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?"

I WAS LIKE, "WHAT DO YOU MEAN
COURTNEY STABBED JONATHAN?"

AND THEN I-I LOOKED AT JON,
AND I SEE HIM,

AND THEN I REALIZE
IT'S NOT A JOKE.

Narrator:
WHEN THE PARAMEDICS ARRIVE,

THEY TRY TO REVIVE JONATHAN...

BUT IT'S TOO LATE.

Interpreter #2:
BETSY CAME OUT WITH TEARS,

AND I WAS JUST RIGHT THERE.

I KNEW
THAT HE DIDN'T MAKE IT.

[ SOBBING ]

Betsy:
JONATHAN DIED IN MY ARMS.

THE LAST THING HE SAID WAS
ACTUALLY, "COURTNEY."

[ Voice breaking ]
IT SOUNDED LIKE, IN HIS VOICE,

THAT HE, YOU KNOW, FORGAVE HER.

Dr. Jordan:
AT THAT EXACT MOMENT,

WAS HE ACTUALLY PHYSICALLY
ATTACKING YOU,

OR WERE YOU JUST AFRAID
THAT HE WAS GOING TO ATTACK YOU?

I WAS AFRAID
THAT HE WOULD ATTACK ME.

Kelly: AND I WAS READY TO RUN
AND JUST BEAT COURTNEY.

I'M SAYING, "I HATE YOU.
I HATE YOU. I HATE YOU."

[ SOBBING ]

AND SHE WAS COVERED IN BLOOD,
SAYING, "I KILLED HIM.

I KILLED HIM. I KILLED HIM."

[ SNIFFLES ]

[ SIRENS WAILING ]

Narrator: POLICE OFFICERS ARRIVE
ON THE SCENE AND ARREST COURTNEY.

Officer: MA'AM,
I NEED YOU TO GET UP.

[ POLICE RADIO CHATTER ]

GIVE ME YOUR LEFT HAND.

I WAS OUT OF MY MIND.
MY THINKING WASN'T STABLE.

I WASN'T FOCUSING.

SO WHEN THE POLICE OFFICERS
GRABBED ME,

I JUST FELT LIKE IT WAS OVER.

Narrator:
DOWN AT THE STATION,

POLICE CONFIRM
THAT JONATHAN IS DEAD.

COURTNEY IS CHARGED
WITH SECOND-DEGREE MURDER.

I WAS SHOCKED.
AND I'M SAYING, "NO, NO."

BUT I WAS IN SUCH DENIAL,
AND I FELT LIKE,

"GOD IS NEVER GONNA
FORGIVE ME FOR THIS - NEVER."

I JUST COULDN'T BELIEVE
THAT HE'D DIED.

NO!

Narrator:
THE NEXT MORNING,

LISA GETS A CALL
FROM JONATHAN'S FAMILY.

THE LOVE OF HER LIFE
IS NEVER COMING HOME.

Lisa: I DON'T THINK I'VE EVER
CRIED SO HARD IN MY LIFE.

IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT
TO HAVE THE PERSON I LOVE

JUST RIPPED OUT OF MY LIFE
THAT WAY.

WE WOULD HAVE HAD
A GOOD RELATIONSHIP TOGETHER,

AND IT WAS STOLEN FROM ME.

Narrator: JONATHAN'S FAMILY BELIEVES
HE NEVER THREATENED COURTNEY.

INSTEAD, THEY SAY SHE KILLED HIM

BECAUSE SHE COULDN'T STAND
THE THOUGHT OF HIM LEAVING HER.

I THINK SHE SAW JON'S FACE,

AND SHE KNEW
HE WAS HAPPY WITH LISA,

AND SHE WAS GONNA BE LEFT
IN THE DUST.

AND SHE PROBABLY SNAPPED
AND KILLED HIM.

Narrator: COURTNEY PLEADS GUILTY
TO INVOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER

BEFORE HER CASE
EVEN GOES TO TRIAL.

THE JUDGE SENTENCES HER
TO JUST THREE YEARS' PROBATION

WITH DOMESTIC-VIOLENCE
COUNSELING.

THE JUDGE'S THOUGHT PROCESS
WOULD INCLUDE

CONSIDERING THE HISTORY
OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

AND ALSO UNDERSTANDING
THE CIRCUMSTANCES

OF COURTNEY AS A DEAF WOMAN
IN A HEARING WORLD.

THE JUDGE WOULD ALSO REALIZE

THAT SHE WOULD GET FAR BETTER
SERVICES ON THE OUTSIDE,

ON A COMMUNITY-BASED LEVEL
THAN IN PRISON.

BUT STILL, WITHOUT CLEAR
CIRCUMSTANCES OF SELF-DEFENSE,

IT'S REALLY AMAZING

THAT COURTNEY AVOIDED PRISON
ENTIRELY.

I FEEL LIKE SHE GOT AWAY
WITH MURDER.

Narrator:
COURTNEY AND JONATHAN'S CHILDREN

ARE IN THE CUSTODY
OF HER PARENTS,

WITH COURTNEY'S OTHER TWO KIDS.

THAT'S WHAT MAKES ME ANGRY -
MORE ANGRY THAN ANYTHING ELSE -

IS THE KIDS ARE GONNA GROW UP
WITHOUT A FATHER.

Narrator: COURTNEY IS
CURRENTLY SERVING HER PROBATION

IN RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA.

SHE HOPES TO SOMEDAY
REGAIN CUSTODY OF HER CHILDREN.

I WAS SORRY FOR WHAT I DID.
HE DIDN'T DESERVE TO DIE.

AND I DO REGRET WHAT HAPPENED,
BECAUSE I MADE A MISTAKE.

AND I FEEL BAD FOR MY KIDS.

I FEEL BAD FOR MY DAUGHTERS
NOT HAVING THEIR FATHER.