BEDFORD COUNTY (WSLS 10) - A domestic abuser's words can be a weapon, used against his victim to control her actions. That's what happened to Ashley Brogan. She wanted so much to believe Willie Hale, she used her words to get him out of jail. It's a cycle of violence seen all too often in the criminal justice system.
"I looked at Willie and I was like I don't want to be with you anymore. I can't do this," said Brogan.
She said that to Hale three days before she was set to testify against him for giving her stitches. When she tried to break it off, he stabbed her.
"He had put pressure on her while he was sitting in jail for her to water that incident down at a bond hearing and that's what she did," said Commonwealth's Attorney Wes Nance. "She believed his promises, his apologies, and his I love you's."
Nance said that puts the prosecution between a rock and the hardest place to be with a domestic violence victim. When a victim recants, no one wants to call her a liar on the stand.
"It can be difficult without a victim's full cooperation," said Nance.
Hale was still telling her what to say up to the point he's being put in cuffs for a second time. The deputy's body camera video shows it. That video proved the prosecution's case.
"It certainly led to the guilty plea. It allowed us to hold firm against Mr. Hale and not give him any opportunity for lessening his sentence."
Ashley testified against Hale and didn't leave anything out this time.
Her story started out a textbook case of a woman caught in a cycle, but she wrote the final chapter in her own words.
There is life after domestic abuse. Ashley is getting married to a wonderful man later this month and is continuing her education. The baby she was pregnant with when she was stabbed is healthy.
If you have been threatened or assaulted, the first thing you should always do is call 911. Willie Hale no longer had the upper hand when the deputy arrived.
There are statewide resources to help connect you to someone who can help you where you live. If you're worried about a friend or family member you can call too.
The Family Violence & Sexual Assault Virginia hotline is 1-800-838-8238.