Born a Crime

against us. Because of my mother’s
miraculous recovery, the charge
was only attempted murder. And
because no domestic violence
charges had ever been filed in all
the times my mother had called the
police to report him, Abel had no
criminal record. He got a good
lawyer, who continued to lean on
the court about the fact that he had
children at home who needed him.
The case never went to trial. Abel
pled guilty to attempted murder.
He was given three years’
probation. He didn’t serve a single
day in prison. He kept joint custody
of his sons. He’s walking around
Johannesburg today, completely
free. The last I heard he still lives
somewhere around Highlands
North, not too far from my mom.