Dixie's Last Stand: Was It Murder or Self-Defense?

Throughout her life, Dixie Shanahan was dealt was rough hand. There were accusations of abuse from her stepfather, and then an abusive relationship with the man that would become her husband. There were warning signs from the beginning, that should have sent her running in the other direction, but she decided to stay.
In that decision, she signed up for decades of black eyes, screaming matches, bruises, and more. Neighbors finally called the cops, and her husband, Scott was arrested. She refused to press charges, leaving him free again. After a second arrest, he was again set free with minimal time served. The third time he was arrested, it should have sent him to prison for a long time, but Dixie again refused to proceed with the charges. He was once more set free, and Dixie made the journey back from Texas, where she had fled, to Iowa, where she moved back into the abusive relationship.

When Scott stopped showing up around familiar places, at first, nothing was thought about it. However, after some time had gone by, people began talking. Dixie told a few stories as to where he had gone to. No one really believed her, but very few people were actually searching for the volatile man. One person who wanted to know was the sheriff, and he refused to give up searching. It was not until months later, that the truth would be uncovered, and it shocked everyone.

This was one book that I was a bit conflicted on. There was a lot going on here, and there should be things that can be done without the victim having to come into court and facing an abuser. However, she refused to allow him to be punished under the law. When taking the law into one's own hands, it becomes much more than just self-defense.

Interesting read overall, and something that true crime junkies will enjoy.