By ARTESIA DAVIS, Guardian Senior Reporter, artesia@nasguard.com


A former politician dropped domestic abuse charges against her husband, claiming she made the decision for the sake of their 13-year-old daughter.

Paulette Zonicle, an ex-Progressive Liberal Party senator, left court holding her husband, Charles' hand, after he was acquitted of causing harm and death threat charges.

Magistrate Carolita Bethel acquitted Mr. Zonicle after his wife said she was not interested in pursuing the case.

She told the court that she and her husband agreed to work out their differences because of their daughter, who was supposed to testify against her dad. Mr. Zonicle, a ZNS employee and the owner of a petty shop, had denied the charges.

Mrs. Zonicle assured the court that she had not been threatened to withdraw the charges that arose from a fight at the couple's home in Yamacraw Beach on May 21. She was treated at Doctors Hospital for her injuries.

Magistrate Bethel vacated the scheduled December 8 trial date, and she told the couple that it was "sad" that persons of their stature were before the courts. Magistrate Bethel told the couple that she hoped they resolved their problems.

:confused: :dgi: :confused: :dgi:............................................:dgi::confused:

SMT & SMH

And she left holding his hand!

For the sake of her 13 yera old...what will happen to the child when she 6 feet or 12 feet?

well, we cant be judgemental.............there might be some underlying factors in this situation.

It's the three of them.............that's all. sigh............marriage is so complicated.

well, we cant be judgemental.............there might be some underlying factors in this situation.
It's the three of them.............that's all. sigh............marriage is so complicated.

How sweet -- husband, wife, and husband's male lover.

well, we cant be judgemental.............there might be some underlying factors in this situation.
It's the three of them.............that's all. sigh............marriage is so complicated.
True..but this is why police have such difficulty prosecting abuse cases..the woman will file and then subsequently withdraw. She might be thinking that all the talk about what her husband did is hurting her child, but what's hurting her child more is seeing her mother abused.

And plus, I dont think the law allow should allow you to withdraw charges in such cases. If I walk up to you and beat you down in the street, the police will charge me with assualt whether you want me to be charged or not. But in marriage, assualt isnt considered assualt. This is wrong.

How sweet -- husband, wife, and husband's male lover.
Chile...I'm just gonna wave my hand on dat one! **Grabs my hankie**

well, we cant be judgemental.............there might be some underlying factors in this situation.
It's the three of them.............that's all. sigh............marriage is so complicated.

The magistrate should have made him go to counceling or some sort of community service, next time i fear the news might be worst.

This is so worrying but I do wish them well. As Nationbuilder says this is why the police have such a hard time prosecuting these cases. It also makes the police reluctant to even arrest perpetrators, knowing that in all likelihood, the charges will be dropped sooner or later.

There is an excellent program for batterers and I hope the perpetrator was advised to get counselling. It should be mandatory. The couple is now in the "honeymoon" phase, hence the hand holding and I hope that phase lasts forever!

This is so worrying but I do wish them well. As Nationbuilder says this is why the police have such a hard time prosecuting these cases. It also makes the police reluctant to even arrest perpetrators, knowing that in all likelihood, the charges will be dropped sooner or later.
There is an excellent program for batterers and I hope the perpetrator was advised to get counselling. It should be mandatory. The couple is now in the "honeymoon" phase, hence the hand holding and I hope that phase lasts forever!
one for the cameras

I just read this and searched for a thread. I am SO unimpressed.

What difference does this make for the child, other than a negative impact? Their names were already out there, and everyone already knows of the incident. Dropping the charges doesn't do anything for that child except to show her that if someone causes her harm, there are reasons to let it go. I'm sure that if a man laid a hand on their daughter in 10 years, they would be singing a different song, whether she had children for the man or not. I hope that the child does not suffer because of this decision or the kind of "home" she is living in.

As for Mrs. Zonicle... Whether she realizes it or not, she is role model for many young women in The Bahamas. I don't think she is sending the right message to them. I guess she thinks she made the right decision... The rest of us can only hope...

I just read this and searched for a thread. I am SO unimpressed.
What difference does this make for the child, other than a negative impact? Their names were already out there, and everyone already knows of the incident. Dropping the charges doesn't do anything for that child except to show her that if someone causes her harm, there are reasons to let it go. I'm sure that if a man laid a hand on their daughter in 10 years, they would be singing a different song, whether she had children for the man or not. I hope that the child does not suffer because of this decision or the kind of "home" she is living in.
As for Mrs. Zonicle... Whether she realizes it or not, she is role model for many young women in The Bahamas. I don't think she is sending the right message to them. I guess she thinks she made the right decision... The rest of us can only hope...
Chile Lovely I still SMH....I think the biggest part of this for her is embarassment! Nothing more or less. She don't want her dirty or clean laundry aired!

That is why there is very little sympathy for women who come forward, this is usually the end result.

I know a Police Officer who does tell them when he go on domestic calls,
to not waste his time. He said that the Police do not have time to carry these men for a few hours for the women to catch herself.

These calls divert police resources from other serious matters and ties up the court and other personnel with wasted time and paperwork.

She has just given this man a licence to cut her hip whenever he is ready.
I doubt you will ever hear her complain again, no matter how bad he abuses her.

Chile Lovely I still SMH....I think the biggest part of this for her is embarassment! Nothing more or less. She don't want her dirty or clean laundry aired!Well said.

By ARTESIA DAVIS, Guardian Senior Reporter, artesia@nasguard.com
A former politician dropped domestic abuse charges against her husband, claiming she made the decision for the sake of their 13-year-old daughter.
Paulette Zonicle, an ex-Progressive Liberal Party senator, left court holding her husband, Charles' hand, after he was acquitted of causing harm and death threat charges.
:confused: :dgi: :confused: :dgi:............................................:dgi::confused:

YEah, teach her young to take beating from man. I AM PISSED OFF!!!

This is a TERRIBLE example to her daughter and ALL WOMEN!!!

Now, correct me if I wrong but ain assault against the law???? So dey don't NEED her to press charges. Dey gat enough evidence!!!!

I AM FUMING!!! IF My daddy beat my mummy I'D be in JAIL for singeing him wit hot grits!!!!

True..but this is why police have such difficulty prosecting abuse cases..the woman will file and then subsequently withdraw. She might be thinking that all the talk about what her husband did is hurting her child, but what's hurting her child more is seeing her mother abused.
And plus, I dont think the law allow should allow you to withdraw charges in such cases. If I walk up to you and beat you down in the street, the police will charge me with assualt whether you want me to be charged or not. But in marriage, assualt isnt considered assualt. This is wrong.


Bravo <clap, clap, clap - standing up and all> Bravo.