It was a graphic testimonial of domestic abuse when Martha Palma appeared on television in September of last year showing how badly her boyfriend had beaten her. She had a broken leg, a broken jaw and numerous abrasions on her back and face.
Today the man responsible for causing these injuries appeared in court to be indicted for the crimes against Palma. 37-year-old Emerson Eligio appeared before Magistrate Earl Jones where he was indicted to stand trial for the charges of attempted murder, grievous harm, attempted dangerous harm, and attempted suppression of evidence. That was expected, but the surprising thing is that when the indictment was read, Palma herself appeared to have the charges against her abuser dropped. It was surprising because in her appearance on 7NEWS on September 5th of last year she promised that she'd not return with him or have him beat on her again.
In court today he was granted $5,000 bail with the condition that she does not come near Palma. But as man-woman things go she today stood beside her man and maybe the condition was not really necessary.