She’s Invited– Oh Wait, That Said Indicted

From today’s issue of the Henderson Gleaner under the heading Grand Jury Indictments:

- Jennifer L. Whitledge, 33, Zion, second-degree burglary and theft over $300

In case it’s not obvious, that’s the ex-wife.  For some reason they left off the theft of a controlled substance charge.  I know I shouldn’t derive pleasure from this but I do.  She did this to herself, to the kid whose medicine she stole, and to our kids.  I had the chance to have her arrested more than once after our divorce but opted not to.  Who wants to explain to their kids that their mommy is sporting the fashionable orange becasue Daddy put her there?  God knows she deserves it, and I honestly believe she needs it.  You see the biggest problem my ex has is that she’s never been made to suffer a consequence.  Someone has always been there to swoop in and pick her up.  After our divorce, and threats to kill herself, she fell back into the arms of her high school flame (it seems now that it’s entirely possible that the had started their relationship prior to our marriage ending, but I remain skeptical, and unconcerned).  Her mom has always bailed her out (literally) and paid any fines she’s incurred.  In fact everyone always feels so sorry for her that her life is usually made a little better after every fuck-up.  Not this time.

There are three options from here:

1.  The case will be handled in drug court.  The basic premise of drug court is that the defendant would otherwise be a good person if not for their probably addiction.  As part of their sentencing the charges are usually deferred and she would be assigned to a year-long treatment program and monitoring.  After the completion of the program the charges are usually dismissed entirely.  Now, ordinarily the idea that she would be forced to get the treatment she requires would be the right one.  However, as I’ve said, I firmly believe that her biggest problem is that she never has to pay the price for her actions, and the price keeps getting higher.  So I’m hoping that her case will not be handled through drug court.

2.  The case will go to a jury trial.  The result would likely be an a conviction.  There is always a chance of an acquittal, especially with a jury trial.  I understand that she confessed to the sheriff’s office, and I know she did to the person who brought the charges.  Assuming she’s convicted, she will serve some jail time and likely have to do some form of drug treatment program plus a lengthy probation.  I’m guessing, and it’s purely a guess, that she would get something like 3 years, forced to serve 30 days, and have the rest probated.

3.  She could accept a plea deal.  Having forced the case this far along, knowing that the prosecution’s case is strong, and because of the constant badgering from the victim, I doubt the deal would be that sweet.  I imagine she’ll still serve some jail time, but they may suspend that… again I doubt it.

Anyway it shakes out, a conviction or guilty plea benefits me.  She took this medicine from a child for whom she was caring.  This kid is not one of those marginal kids who some might say is lazy or the parents just don’t want to deal with his behavioral problems, he needed this medicine and had to do without it because of her.  That could have just as easily been Brian.  Plus, the way she’s been lately feels like where she was right before she slapped my 2 year old daughter.  She has constantly discussed the custody situation with the kids, leaving out the fact that she did what she’s being charged with.  Rather than trying to offer comfort or telling them things will be worked out when the kids talk about missing her, she reinforces it and even fuels it.  While she pissed me off often, I can get over that.  What I can’t get over is what she’s doing to the kids.  So this indictment brings us one more step closer to the desired end.  Oh, btw, I found out that her husband is being sued by her aunt.  I’m not sure why, but it must involve a large sum of money because her aunt is loaded and a great lady.  I’ll have to see what I can find on that.

Jahm