To those who wish to catch up, please see "maybe you are(n't) my soulmate." Link, anyone? Please?
Ok, now for the legal stuff that happened yesterday. The Prosecuting Attorney wanted to really throw the book at me and put me in jail for a year. Then he wanted to tack on a fine because I "committed a serious crime with a deadly weapon and could have killed the other man." Then, the arresting officer (who actually apologized for having to arrest me) spoke to the Judge and Prosecuting Attorney and explained the considerable control, fortitude, and restraint it takes a man in such a passionate situation, to not kill someone. He pointed out that I had a knife on the guy's throat and let him go. The Judge even said he didn't think he would have such control in the same situation. He reminded the other members of the court that I tried to have "the law" step in and help but when they failed, I went to defend my wife's honor and safety.
So his testimony got my sentence down to 120 hours of community service. Then my lawyer pointed out how the other man was "stalking" my wife and how could I not confront the other man in an attempt to keep her safe. They wrangled for a while longer (I think my lawyer explained to the other man that he had evidence of the affair that his wife didn't know about, which would probably lead to her divorcing him - all of this was behind closed doors, by the way). My lawyer was able to get my sentence reduced to 20 hours of community service as long as I apologized to the other man and shake his hand if front of the courtroom. I told my lawyer to go back to the other room and tell the s.o.b. that I would do what I did again given the same situation, I was happy I did it, and that he was absolutely not getting an apology. After all was said and done, I got 40 hours of community service and didn't have to give an apology. So at least that part of this saga will be over soon.
There is work to be done (trust issues, money issues, career issues, and more legal stuff) but I feel she and I will be ok. Makes me happy.
Also, I was finally able to forgive my wife. While waiting for my lawyer at some point, it just washed over me. I understood her pain. I felt she understands mine. I feel, in spite of the affairs, she is the same person I fell in love with 10 years ago. Yay us!
