Years of domestic abuse can cause someone to make a range of decisions that may otherwise seem irrational or unreasonable. In fact, it is not uncommon for a victim of abuse to "snap," and engage in a sudden, inexplicable act of violence against the abuser. In this case, it is entirely possible that the behavior of Alexander's husband that night — moments earlier he said that he would kill her before letting someone else have her — served as a psychological trigger. While she should be held responsible for her behavior, her unique circumstances should have been taken into consideration as mitigating factors.