
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, January 21, 1994                   TAG: 9401210146
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: MANASSAS                                LENGTH: Short

JURY BEGINS DELIBERATING FATE OF LORENA BOBBITT

A jury began deciding Thursday whether Lorena Bobbitt acted in willful, malicious anger when she sliced off her husband's penis or whether she snapped under the pressure of years of physical and sexual abuse.

The panel of seven women and five men got the case at 4:35 p.m. on the seventh day of Bobbitt's trial on a charge of malicious wounding. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

Judge Herman A. Whisenant Jr. told jurors they could also consider a lesser charge of unlawful wounding, which has a maximum penalty of five years in prison, or find Bobbitt innocent.

The jury was sent home after less than 30 minutes of deliberations. The panel will resume deliberating today.

Bobbitt tearfully testified during the trial that she suffered brutal treatment at the hands of her husband throughout their four-year marriage. He took the stand and denied ever beating or sexually assaulting his wife. He was acquitted in November of marital sexual assault.

In closing arguments, defense attorney Blair Howard said Lorena Bobbitt was "falling to pieces" when she cut off her husband's penis last June 23.

"I can think of no greater provocation than the act of rape. . . . To rape a woman is not only a violation of the body . . . it is a direct attack on the emotional structure that holds a woman together," he said.

Prince William County Commonwealth's Attorney Paul Ebert agreed Bobbitt forced sex on his wife, but said Lorena Bobbitt had plenty of other options.

"Two wrongs don't make a right. You can't take the law in your own hands."

by CNB