Snapped

Oxygen Network airs the true crime television series, "Snapped." The series is a detailed documentary of the women who committ murder or attempt to committ murder. Narrated by reporter Sharon Martin, the series follows the events of the tragic crimes committed, as well as, interviews with law-enforcement, lawyers, journalists, friends and families of both the victims and the accused, and at times, the criminals themselves.

Out of the many episodes, one followed Brigette Harris, guilty of killing her father, Eric, in July of 2007, claiming that she was sexually abused by him. Brigette, trying to have a normal life and getting help, was unsuccessful at letting go of the abuse. Unable to let the abuse continue, Brigette found herself committing an unspeakable crime on July 28, 2007.

The 911 call came into the police. The dispatcher sent the police. Once they arrived to the apartment, the door was wide open and they didn't know what to look for. The young girl who made the call asked, "Is he alive? Is Eric alive?" The dispatcher didn't know what she was talking about. When the police went upstairs of the apartment, they find the body of Brigette's father bound and gagged. He was dead. The dispatcher called back the number of the young girl who made the 911 call. She gave her name. Brigette says she is on her way to the police station but never shows up.

Brigette, 26, worked at the JFK Airport as a security guard and lived in Queens, New York. Brigette was very much into the goth lifestyle. She had different color hair and many piercings. No one really knew the truth in her family life. She kept very secretive when she was asked about her family. Her parents didn't really care about her. Brigette's mother left the country and abandoned her when she was two. Her father, Eric, had never accepted her as his daughter but took care of her. She moved back and forth from several family members homes. She suffered physical and sexual abuse while living in these different homes. When she reached the age of 18, she moved out on her own.

Her father came back into her life in June 2007 and tried to get close to her again. She was hesitant but decided to give him a chance. She noticed that he was paying close attention to her nieces and right away thought he was molesting them as well. She didn't want them to go through what she went through so she had to stop him. She had first confronted him about the abuse she recieved by him but he still denied any wrong doing. Upset by his denial, Brigette started physically fighting with her father. She wrestled him to the ground and stuck a towel into his mouth so he wouldn't scream. She then handcuffed him. Next, she grabbed a scapel and, without hesitation, cut off his penis.

At her trial in 2008, she testified of the sexual abuse she endured since the age of three and didn't really mean to hurt her father. She just wanted to stop him from doing it again. In 2009, the jury found her guilty of Manslaughter in the 2nd degree and the judge gave her 5 to 15 years in prison. She will be eligible for parole this year 2012.

All Brigette wanted was someone to listen to what was going on with her and to be there for her but no one was. She didn't have anyone. Now she tries to speak with others who are going through the same abuse hoping to help and reach out and prevent any more criminal acts committed.

Lizzy    =)