I can’t say loud enough how much you need to watch this film. It opens up for us to see so much of what’s hidden in the horrible under-belly of our society. It touches the soul, makes you react with so much emotion. It also makes you cry like a baby. GO SEE IT!

where can i get this movie? I would like to buy, if i can..

I saw this movie at a private screening for those who were involved in the defense/members of the legal community. It is the most powerful piece I have ever seen dealing with domestic violence.

I knew Wendy and her family and i Knew Aaron and his brother and I always knew he was a very cruel and hurtful person, I met them when we where all very young and even back then you could tell he wasn’t right in his mind .I’m very sorry for Wendy and the boys but some day they will be together again.

Aaron was auditioning as a bass player for our band, “Decadence” in Grants Pass, Oregon. He was a good player and, of course, there was beer every where during “practice. I always seemed to be the “fetcher”. When I asked Aaron if he wanted a beer–he told me…”you wouldn’t like me when I drink”. My husband and I are VERY good friends with Aaron’s brother and his wife (names left out for obvious reason) and were shocked about what happened. Altho Aaron was a good enough bass player at the time…things did not work out. Altho his brother (another good musician) and we have been friends for a very long time.
We have been to events at Aaron & Wendy’s home and knew it was “un-comfortable” but could have NEVER expected our friend, Aaron, to have had such another side.
I know that you never know what happens behind “closed doors”. Maybe we should ALL start listening for a change instead of turning the amps or stereo up.
It’s such a shame for all involoved!!! The children especially! God bless them all!

Aaron Maldonado was a good man. Good friend,musician and brother. What people are blind to see is that they are only viewing one side of the story. Too bad he cant be here to tell his. It took two individuals to make a life changing decision for Aaron and everyone else whom ever cared and loved him. It took two people to stand on each side of him while he was SLEEPING. One holding a hammer and the other a hand ax. They said the holy prayer together and then proceeded to attack . Is that justice? Is that humane? If it was true and there was some abuse, why didnt she leave or ask for help? So u see people dont believe everything you see and hear.

WAIT A MINUTE FOR REAL MY COUSIN’S AND AUNT ARE NOT BAD PEOPLE AND PERSONALY IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH YOUR LAST NAME THEN FUCKING CHANGE IT….. CAUSE CLEARLY YOU AINT GOT NOTHING ON THEM…. THEY MAKE THE NAME LOOK GOOD AND YOU NEED TO NOT MAKE THREATS ON MY FAMILY’S LIFE YOU FUCKING LAME

I saw the documentary……many of the neighbors saw the abuse but I didn’t hear one of them say they called the police.
Why did Wendy have 4 kids with a man who abused her?

She and no one else did anything to rectify the situation…..except kill the guy.

Poor choices…..

I don;t have any sympathy for her.

I abuse my girlfriend and she loves it. It’s how I show my love. If I didn’t flip out on her then she would think I don’t care bout her. I think most women feel this way.

god bless wendy. oregon police suck ass. free her now. aaron did this shit to his self. his brother did nothing to help his nephews. he knew aaron was hurting his family, but he is sick too. fuck you joshua, you coward

I just watched the movie on HBO…. very sad and moving.. I feel for Wendy, her kids and the rest of her family… The Judge was right… no one got away with anything but the Oregon court system should be ashamed for allowing such a rotten deal to be made…. An abusive man is dead… that is sad and I feel for his family but…. a wife and mother is saved… kids are saved… and they should be with her mother. As to last comments by Anton….. if you think that your girlfriend enjoys or somehow appreciates your kind of “attention and love”… you need help yourself… I hope it will not come too late for you… I am not a religious man but you should seek help from a priest or someone who can open your eyes. In my opinion anyone hitting a woman is a coward and scum. The only reason men do it is because they do not get a fight back from them… sick and cowardly…. hit someone who will fight back and has a chance to kick your ass… Unbelievable that you are proud of that… forget the priest… go see a podiatrist….. it is way too late for your head!

I just seen the documentary and believe Wendy and her children are telling the truth. Again it shows that people rather turn their heads instead of stepping in ! I am pretty sure Joshua knew that his brother abused his wife & children. You can’t tell me that he didn’t know! I understand he is upset, angry and griefing. But if he would have been a real man then he would have helped his sister-in-law! What kind of man beats women & children? Only a coward! I bet he wouldn’t hit a 6 ft 200 lbs man, only the weak! Men who abuse women & children are cowards and obviously insecure of themselves and just don’t know better. And now my cooment to “Antopn”; you are just another ignorant species of a man! Believe me, your girlfriend doesn’t like to be hot or beaten! You sound pretty uneducated to me!

Aaron, his brother and all other low expectation, uneducated, hill billy, trashy individuals need to re evaluate their value system. I’m glad Wendy did what she did. If anything a statue of her standing on the dead worthless body of Aaron maldonado should be erected in the middle of that town just for his worthless brother Joshua can enjoy while pathetically grieving for his dead brother. I’m actually smiling just thinking what Aaron must have thought as that hammer and axe drilling him in the head. Ha ha ha ha. My thoughts and prayers go out to Wendy and her children. Joshua I pray Aaron was your only remaining family member, obviously something is wrong with your kind.

Woman who are abused should make a petition to free Wendy. This is one of those cases that shouldn’t have went the way it did. I understand the judge had to give them some time so others do not think they can get away with murder, but 10 years is way to much.

We live in an unbalanced world! If Wendy was a plastic blonde from LA she wouldnt have seen the inside of a jail.That judge even pointed out that he knew they were abused more then anyone he had ever seen.

!!!!!!!FREE WENDY!!!!!!!

I am a survivor of child abuse and have been abused emotionally, physically, and sexually. I can identify myself with Wendy and her children and have thought many of the same thoughts they had and have. Leaving your abuser isn’t that easy! It’s not that simple or cut and dry! Especially when your abuser uses your children against you and when you fear your abuser, and that’s an understatement!!! I have so much love and compassion for this family and hope and pray they can heal both emotionally and physically! I also hope they overcome their fears and get counseling. It’ll take many years to heal but I know in my heart that they can overcome this nightmare and identify themselves as a survivor of abuse not a helpless victim of abuse! If the sons should ever read this, your story brought tears to my eyes! I know what you’ve been through! I think you are a lot stronger than you all will ever know and you can overcome this! As they say, “This too shall pass!” Stay strong and keep your chins up! Try to continue counseling so you can heal as painful and uncomfortable as it may be! Just take it one day at a time or one minute at a time. Counseling will not only help you with your post traumatic stress syndromes but it will also help you with your pain and anger. It will help you to become the good, strong men your mother dreams of and wants you to be! Counseling will also prevent you from making the same mistakes as your father because as unlikely as it may seem, many times the abused child often grows up to be the abuser. My father was abused as a child and years later, he became the abuser. He just didn’t know how to control his pain or anger. Family dysfunction is a vicious cycle and I can bet, your dad was abused as well by his parents (but it doesn’t excuse his behavior or justify anything he’s done to you! It’s just a familiar pattern of abuse that is often very hard to break!) So try to stay positive, and stay in counseling! I have faith in all of you! YOU CAN BREAK THE CYCLE OF ABUSE AND BE BETTER MEN!!! Hold on to each other and love each other! No one can understand you more than your brothers! Know that you’re NOT ALONE! So many others have been in similar circumstances and understand what you went through, like I do! Sometimes, it is VERY BENEFICIAL to join a support group for survivors of child abuse or children of alcoholics. Please, know that others will keep you and your mom in their thoughts and prayers, like myself! Don’t listen to a word your uncle says. By the sound of it, he doesn’t seem any different than your father. He was probably abused himself and has become an abuser, and will be POISONOUS in your life. He is filled with hate and that is tragic. Don’t let anyone have the power to bring you down! Remember that people can only bring us down if we allow them to, so don’t let them! I have every confidence in you boys that with enough love, prayers, and help/counseling, you all will overcome this tragedy and cycle of abuse! One day, you’ll look back and see how far you’ve come and the pain of the past will fade in time and heal all your wounds. You’ll carry the emotional scars your entire life. But you will be stronger than ever cuz what doesn’t kill us only makes us stronger! I hope and pray for clemency for your mom! She doesn’t deserve the time she got and loves you enough to sacrifice her own freedom in order to protect you! Stay strong! And try to visit your mom often. Also try to forgive her. Parents aren’t perfect and will often make mistakes in life! Try to heal from the past with her. Because it’s obvious that she LOVES you soo, so much!

All my love and compassion,

Robbin P.
(Survivor of child abuse and a survivor of spousal abuse)

Robbin,

If you know of any womens shelters in your town please tell them to start a petition to help Wendy!!

I may look into it in my town that woman should be with her kids.She was robbed of her family for 18 years 10 more is way to much.

this piece of shit woman is going right where she belongs…the only tragedy is that she’s only going for 10 years. 20 years of abuse my ass, ….to sit there with a straight face and say there wasn’t any solution but to murder somebody in this case, and the victim was supposedly crazy yet, is some fantastic proof of how hideous our country is. if this man was legally insane what the hell were she and her kids living in the same residence with this man for. she was compromising her sons lives for the last 20 years according to her big admission. this is so unbelievably one sided it’s funny. if this man was so crazy why wasn’t he in an asylum. she and her sons don’t look so battered and bruised, or even unhappy, btw. well hopefully she’ll get hers in prison and make a lot of nice girlfriends. if not she’ll get it when she’s out.

What Wendy did was coragious. I don’t think she or her son should be in jail. Joshua, if u loved your brother u would have gotten him help, also u would have protected your Sister in law & nephews from abuse, instead u call them names. Shame on u. I hope they are appealing. This was a tragic situation, I would have done the same thing if my husband was abusing our kids like that. So sad….

although this is an extreme case, i feel they should not have been given so much prison time. A deranged person can commit unprovoked murder and be given an insanity plea, out in 5 because they are “sick”. This is like someone breaking into your house and harming you and your children, you have every right to protect yourself. Imagine it happening for 19 years, as for why she had 4 kids and never left…FEAR;;; Abuse, and i can guarantee he also raped her, how do you leave when you have nowhere to go, and no one to help… For too many years law enforcement has looked the other way…. family dispute… let them fight among themselves. and if they dont; do anything to help? imagine if she did seek help? and they did nothing? he probably beat her more. But unless you have been on the receiving end of that abuse, you do not know a persons frame of mind. she did what any mother would do in this situation. She must have reached her end of the rope.
Maybe his family would have prefered he would have finally killed her. and that is proabbly what would have ended up happening. I would walk through fire for my son. i would die for him. and certainly protect him at all costs. When a person abuses it always seems to those that are helpless…. she finally gave him all at once 1/2 of what she must have endured all those years. She needs to be free now. But maybe she finally is. I pray for her and her boys that they are soon together.
I know their pain, I lost my mother to an abusive father. who still after 20 years does not feel he needs anger management nor domestic violence help…… perhaps now aaron can make retribution with God.

I just watched this documentary & as a child of domestic violence I think she deserves a damn medal 4 killin that scum bag. I had 2 watch my mom get her ass beat every day & one day she got tired & packed her shit & moved outta the state. its hard 2 move & b strong especially in wendys situation. the oregon police dept should b ashamed of themselves. that blood is on their hands cause they didn’t do a damn thing 2 stop it. I feel bad that those kids lost they’re only parent cause she had 2 make the only decision that she kne possible 2 save her kids. that man was a coward & deserved what he got. wendy I will pray 4 u & ur kids. u should b 2gether as a family. get urself a lawyer & appeal because u did nothing wrong. as far as I’m concerned that was self defense.

I just watched the film, as well. It is a tragic story, for all involved. What scares me the most, is the children. This a sad, but true statistic, that abuse in the family, is usullay passed down. The brother’s behavior, action’’s and statement’s in the movie and on here, attest to that. Most likely, the brother is an abusive man either, physically, verbally or mentally. They both were probaly abused as children by a caregiver (a parent), or witnessed abuse being done to a parent and noone stepped into help them. (One private investigator could find that out, very quickly). Unfortunately, I am afraid that the boys could become abusive, in some way or another, as they become young adults or other ways in today’s society to cope, with their traumatic childhoods and the events that transpired. Their chances are extremely high, in all statistics of abuse. It happens even when the abused children mature to adults and say they could never do that. Situations arise, triggers are realeased and if, they have not had any therapy to handle situations on their feelings of anger, trust, resentment, hurt, all of it, abuse can happen, in some form to others or to themselves. It is the cycle of abuse that is so hard to break. I am not saying they will, but it still is a strong possibility, it could. I pray for them it does not!!

Unfortunately, for Wendy, she was overlooked by her peers and police force, that is there to serve and protect. She was stuck in the system and her financial situation, did not help. She lived in fear, without hope, only heartache and worries. As, a woman who has witnessed this type of abuse, first hand, my heart goes out to her! It does not matter whether you live in a lower class, middle class, upper class, or high society, neighbors nine times out of ten, will tune you out. And, when they do get involved, the beatings do get worse. They learn how to abuse you, with out leaving marks, when they fear people know their true colors. You feel trapped and I have been in situations where I too, was surprised, I was not killed. You have anxiety and depression. You live in guilt because the way you are living your life and your childrens! You learn to play the rules of the game. Dont set him off and you strive to keep him happy and walk a fine line, so you or your children don’t get hurt. You dont understand why you get abused, when you did everything right. The abusers find things to make them angry, regardless. They snap! You learn not to fight back, but to survive. You become a survivor! What got me through was my child and the strength I knew that I would not have my child, be in the cycle that her father was in, due to his father, beating him. (Sad, but his mother did not stand up to his father, only let her children get abused). That, was something I was not going to allow my daughter, growing up thinking, it was “normal” to be treated by a man, the way her father treated me. I ended that cycle. Sadly, Wendy did suffer from one of the worst kind of abusers, because he threatened to kill her loved ones. He controlled her into staying, by fear!

Wendy, will need to petion the court and file an appeal, if she has not done so. The same goes for her son. That takes time and money. Attorney fees are expensive and the money goes so fast. She could appeal to her Federal State Court of Appeals and then if needed, appeal to State Supreme Court and lastly, to the Supreme Court of The United States of America. In my opinion, she should argue her case with some sort of modification in her conviction, due to extreme continual abuse from the victim and wanting to be able to be with her children, so they can get the therapy they all need to heal. She needs to state her presence with them, will increase their chances, to be healthy children and lead to them becoming productive adults. That their ages right now are so crucial in this transformation, from young adulthood to mature adulthood. An early release, if not an acquittal could happen, but it might take our country’s Supreme Court, to do so. They could modify the laws in these certain types of cases or modify her case, alone. They could even grant an acquittal, over-turning the verdict. It may take alot of petioning from all forms of support groups, as victims of violence/abuse, etc. around the country. Media and a ton of exposure, along with research of any previous cases similar to her case, where the sentencing was lighter or overturned. This would all take a serious amount of work, to get going and money. If anything, maybe it would get her son out of jail earlier.

To Wendy if you read this and to any of her family tell her; we know and support you! You did what you thought you had to do, in order to protect your family and stop the abuse. If, you believe in the Lord, know He is a kind and forgiving Lord! He knows our hearts, how we feel and what we each are experiencing, in our lives. He, is the one that will decide on our fate. Choose to try and be forgiving towards your husband’s behavior. There are alot of ignorant people accustomed to the dysfunctional lifestyle they enforce on others. Sometimes, that is all they know. Hard to believe, but true. If, you can show forgiveness to him, your children will learn to, also. Do not show hatred. It is to strong of an unhealthy emotion that transpires in unproductivity and negative ways of life. Forgiveness is of the upmost importance, for them to heal and never to become, what their father was!!

May we all learn to speak for the silent ones who choose not to, because of fear! May we all remember, that this is a cause worth fighting for, to stop violence in families! Do not be scared to stick up for the quiet neighbor, who waves to you, but with fear and hides behind dark sunglasses! Do not be scared to call the police when furniture is being broken and you hear screams of horror and hurt, coming from the house next door! Do not be afraid to confront loser, abusive, men and let them know, YOU KNOW! DO NOT BE AFRAID TO PROTECT THE CHILDREN! THAT IS WHEN THE CYCLE WILL END, WHEN THE CHILDREN ARE PROTECTED!!

AND TO THE DUMB, IGNORANT, LOW-LIFE MEN, COMMENTING ON HERE HOW YOU BEAT YOUR GIRLFRIEND UP AND IT IS OK TO HIT WOMEN; IT IS NOT OK TO ABUSE ANYONE, WHETHER YOU ARE A MAN OR WOMAN HANDING OUT THE ABUSE! IT IS NOT OK TO ABUSE CHILDREN! SO, IF YOU ARE OK WITH YOUR ABUSING LIFESTLYE AND SO PROUD OF THAT WONDERFUL ACCOMPLISHMENT YOU HAVE ACHIEVED SO FAR IN YOUR OBVIOUS, PATHETIC , LIFE…WHY DONT YOU START TOMORROW AND TELL EVERY SINGLE PERSON YOU ENCOUNTER (NEIGHBOR, STORE CLERK, MOM, DAD, SISTER, BROTHER, DAUGHTER, GRANDMA, GRANDPA, MAILMAN, CO-WORKER, DOCTOR, POLICE OFFICER, PERSON STANDING IN THE CHECKOUT LANE) THAT YOU ABUSE YOUR GF AND YOU THINK IT IS OK. SEE HOW MUCH OF A BACKBONE YOU HAVE, COWARD AND IF THAT DOESNT WORK, DO SOME HITTING IN A NICE PUBLIC PLACE, YOU SPINELESS CHICKEN, POOR EXCUSE OF A PERSON!!!

Wendy and her son should be let out “NOW”. This is one of the saddest things I’ve ever seen. His brother blames anyone but him. This poor women was trapped and had NO WAY OUT except the one she took! Even if the cops would’ve took him away for a day or two he would’ve been let out and KILLED them all. I just hope all four boys and Wendy will be together one day and never have to feel that piece of shit lurcking over them.

To Jeff,

Did you not watch the movie? Did you not see the oldest son’s eye twitch, that he most likely developed as a nervous habit, from his father’s abuse? Did you not see how loving he was to his brothers, as the oldest, the protector? Did you not see the videos of her face and the sadness and fear that lay in her eyes, when he put the camera on her? Did you not see how she had to act happy? Did you not see the little boy tell his father, “no more Daddy, ” as he threw a hard snowball right on his face?
YOur comment, “she and her sons don’t look so battered and bruised, or even unhappy,” shows your true lack of intelligence! Maybe, you need someone that is bigger and stronger than you, to throw you around and put fear into you. YOu might not be so quick to judge, for you have not walked in her shoes. We can not assume why she stayed, for as long as she did. Sometimes, you try and find the good or you make yourself believe there is good.

Aaron got off easy. He should have been tortured for months!!! Joshua maldonado…you are a sick individual just like your brother and you will see him again in hell. Hopefully very soon. Total scum of the earth. Joshua just look in the mirror and come to terms with the facts. You are one ugly, dumb, weak ass mother fucker. After watching the documentary I want to drive up to grants pass and hunt you down and chop off your head so your nephews don’t have to worry about you ever again.

I as well tuned into the HBO special, “EFDOML” something I haven’t seen brought up in comment is, for those of us women over 35, you may remember a similsr situation in form of a movie starring the late Farrah Fawcett called, “The Burning Bed” Though not documentcary style, is also a true story, very similar. I believe Ms. Fawcett received an Emmy for her outstanding portrayal of “Frannie” who after many years of unbridled abuse sets her scumbag husband on fire in his bed, killing him (good) -however, she chose “jury trial” and although her daughters had to take the stand, she was found innocent by reason of temporary insanity…Why didn’t Ms. Moldonado not choose the jury trial? I can’t imagine any jury of peers not siding with her as well as her son. Either way, what an incredibly moving story & impeccably brave woman! God bless her and her boys. Anyway, thank christ that bastard was removed from the earth. If anyone wants to start a “FREE WENDY” fund, I’ll buy a shirt.

She should’ve done it sooner. I think she did the only thing she could, and gave up her freedom for her sons, but why so late?
To the Maldonado family…what did you do to your sons that made them so crazy? You did not raise them right and I hope you are ashamed of yourselves. You must’ve made your sons feel weak and worthless, so they abuse those they consider weaker (women, children, animals, etc). They’re not men, they’re scum and maybe it was your upbringing that did this to them.
I give Randy props for standing up with his Mom and doing the only thing they could think of at that moment. No one knows what they would’ve done if they were really in that situation. You’ll be a good man when you get out and remember, don’t do the same to your children. Stop the cycle, you know how it feels. I’m sorry this happened to you, but you can have a better life and leave this all behind you.
My brother was abused for years and I would fight for him every single time. I bit my father, pulled his hair out, etc. I didn’t care about what would happen to me. When my sons were younger, their father would get drunk and pick on all of us. I would tell them to sit quietly and don’t get his attention at all, and I would deter his attention to me. I had to make a change and started fighting back, literally. I’m not saying it works for everyone, but I have a crazy side too and it worked to my benefit. We’re still together and we live a happy, and for the most part, peaceful live.
I feel bad for the Maldonado boys. They didn’t ask to be born and yet they survived a lifestyle like this. Most of the bloggers in here, even those that are talking trash haven’t experienced a life like theirs. So think before you talk. No one wants to read the diarrhea that’s coming out of your mouths.

If anyone ever had permission to kill someone it would be these poor souls. I have no doubt that Wendy and Randy not only had permission from a greater power to put him out, but that the act itself was assisted by the same greater power. I don’t think that evil SOB ran away from strangling her because of her old bruises but rather he was chased away by her gaurdians. I pray they live a long peaceful life and rejoice in the fact they are free of him.

@ STL: I believe Wendy had to give up her right to appeal in order to get the ten year sentence. She should have tried the case before a jury. I can’t imagine any jury convicting her of anything more than manslaughter and there is a good chance she would have been acquitted on all charges. She really didn’t have anything to lose going to trial. A shame is what it is.

I just saw EDOMFL last night and was so moved by this story. I am so touched by Wendy and her sons love for each other. I hate that they had to endure the abuse by such an animal. Actually calling Aaron an animal gives animals a BAD name. He even abused DEAD animals. There is something going on with his brother as well. I pray for Wendy’s family’s safety with that wack-job out on the streets. I am so pleased to see 99% support for Wendy on this Blog. She deserves the support and I know her sons could use these words of support from us all. I would love to give them all a BIG HUGE hug. Even their dog was tortured. To Wendy’s family, I hope only the BEST for you all. If I could do anything to help you I would. I am looking for a way to reach out to you. Respond if you can. Much Love from New Jersey, Dee.

I saw the documentary last night and was also in tears at the end.

I believe Wendy and Randy Maldonado should be freed from jail immediately!

Isn’t it obvious they already have served their time, having to endure what they endured for so many years, living with that monster, Aaron?

And for all those who say, she should have left him, etc. etc. Unless you have been in the same situation, you have NO RIGHT to judge or assume that it’s that easy to walk away from your abuser w/out enduring negative consequences or even death.

Please, everyone who believes she and her son need to be set free from jail immediately, please call the Josephine County court offices at 541-476-2309, and ask them to please release Wendy and Randy now!

This movie is so powerful. It will move the most hardend person. My feelings are all over the place for Wendy and her 4 children. She lives 20 years in hell and if you see the movie, she is smiling going to jail. For the first time in 20 years she is in a better place going to jail than living at home with her husband AAron. God bless her and her children.

Hi Joshua Maldonado, your brother was a DICK!!!! What a civilized message you wrote on this message board by the way regarding Wendy and her son, you almost swayed my negative opinion of your dead bitch of a brother until I got passed “First of all”. No wonder you don’t understand that your dead brothers’ behavior was diabolical, you clearly had your asses’ handed to you on a daily basis by a disturbed parent, relative, or guardian while growing up so naturally you think his actions were that of a loving caring husband/parent applying necessary discipline upon his family for their own good, any backhills inbred trailer trash fuck would agree. You and your dead brother must have had a seriously fucked up childhood but thats the problem, you don’t realize it was f’d up so ultimately you carry on in your violent behavior and, in this case, posting messages. Dead Aaron was a weak, scared little twisted bitch coward who beat and tortured women, children and deer carcasses, thats just fucking weird dude.

I beleive most women think abuse is how a man really shows his love. Wendy clearly didn’t understand this. It sadens me to see this unfortunate misunderstanding between Wendy and Aaron. And to Earl up there, you sound gay. Not I. I mean, you actually asked my girlfriend to hook up with you like she reads this stuff or even gets to use the computer. I haven’t allowed her to use a computer since myspace was created. Your an idiot. “I’ll eat your pussy right”. Do u actually say that to women you like? I bet they get in line quickly. Everybody know you have to be sweet, polite, caring, understanding. Get them to love you then start the verbal, mental and physical abuse. Duh.

to everyone here saying that she couldve have left and why was she there for so long, what alot of people fail to realize is that its hard to leave specially when children are involved and there wasnt just physical abuse but mental abuse as well we are human beings and when you are beat down not just physically but emotionally and mentally as well every day of your life you will be pushed to an extreme i have experienced it in my life my mother being beating down physically and mentally and i being sexually abused! aolt of you people fail to realize that when children experience things like this it effects them in the long run i feel very sorry for what her and her children had to go thru and TO ANYONE WHO SAYS THAT THEY WOULD NOT HAVE DONE THE SAME THING IN HER SITUATION DOESNT KNOW WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT BECAUSE AGAIN PEOPLE WE ARE ONLY HUMAN AND WE DONT KNOW WHAT WE ARE REALLY CAPABLE OF UNTIL WE ARE IN DRASTIC CIRCUMSTANCES IGNORANCE IS UGLY AND ALL THOSE WHO WANT TO SIT HERE AND JUDGE HER AND HER SON WHO IN THE HELL ARE YOU TO PASS JUDGEMENT HE WHO IS NOT WITHOUT SIN CAST THE FIRST STONE…. THIS SHOULD TEACH US ALL TO GET INVLOVED AND HELP OUR FELLOW MAN.. ABUSE IS NEVER OK NO MATTER WHAT THE SITUATION….IF YOU SEE OR SUSPECT SOMETHING TELL SOMEONE…

I watched the documentary last night. Watching the footage of Wendy when Aaron had the camera, I cried. I told my husband she looked like the saddest woman in the world. The present day footage of her showed a brand new person. I think the justice system failed Wendy and her boys miserably. This family served time in prison for 20 years. Their sentence finally ended along with Aaron’s life Wendy may have taken a life, but in the taking, she gave life to her boys. She will be freer behind the bars of a jail cell than in the house with that man. I just worry for the boys. I know they are in a much better environment now, but the emotional scars must run deep. Randy touched my heart deeply. He soooo reminded me of my oldest son, and I hope he can get out in 2011 and reunite with his brothers, shake off the shackles of his past, and move on with his life…be the man that his father never was.

this film has just come out on HBO in my area — and i’ve since recorded it — and all i can think is how scary and sad it is — not only for wendy to have to be sentenced to ten years in prison — but also the sentence of her son randy, who was all his life a beaten and terrified child of this torture. NEITHER of them should be in jail. and your right — to watch… even still the feeling of RELIEF as she walks into the prison “intake” doors. my prayers are with this family. for wendy and all her sons — what an awesome job they have done getting the word out there to others in this movie –

Just watched Wendy’s story on HBO last night. My heart goes out to her and her children. She most definitely should NOT be serving 10 years in prison. There must be something we can do to help this family. Does anyone have a mailing address for Wendy, or someone on HER SIDE of the family? If so, please post.
Wendy and her children are in my thoughts and prayers.

cannot get this film out of my head. haunted by wendys innocence abused. such a sweet natured girl forced into despondance and fear. cant get her smile out of my head. great film!!

This show on HBO did something to me. I am a past abused women and put up with it for 14 years. My heart still hurts for Wendy and her boys. I wish there was something I could do to help women in this situation. Wendy should have NEVER had to do time Ever, with all the witnesses she had. Breaks my heart.

This story is sad, disturbing and downright awful. To Aaron’s brother, while I understand your pain over the death of a relative, I have one question: just how blind are you? 911 calls, visual evidence, abusive nightmares told by Wendy AND the children, the bunch of idiotic neighbors that even though I understand that they didn’t want to get involved with this obviously crazy person (Aaron), should have been freakin’ calling the cops EVERY TIME IT HAPPENED. Then of course, there are the idiot police department that drove away that night. How do these cops even keep their jobs? Disgusting. I hope Wendy and Randy, along with the entire remainder of the family, participate in extensive therapy.

It’s so sad that there are stupid people who are siding with someone who destroyed so many lives. I feel so sorry for Wendy and her family and wish she could appeal the case! I dont think killing is right, but that was her only way out…the only safe way for her and her children.

Just watched the documenatary and have a question about the final product. Is what was shown on HBO the original edit that was shown under the old title?

This is a sad story that is played out entirely too often. And don’t let the economic status of this family mislead you. I grew up in a very affluent home and it was no better. The oldest of five kids, I put my worthless old man in the hospital when I was 17 because I was tired of him hitting my mom and I.

After over 30 years my mom finally left him and in my first visit to her new home I was amazed at how peaceful and relaxing it was. It was a true home filled with love and safety.

No person should have to live in constant fear for their safety and well being. Abusers are sociopaths and more often than not perpetuate their ills in their victims. That cycle is broken in my family now and Im proud of that.

To all survivors, stay strong and get help. To abusers, look deep into yourself and seek help for your sickness.

I grieve for this family and hope they are able to become whole.

Like most, I just viewed this on HBO. Such a tragic story. It’s clear this guy had some screws loose. He literally conditioned her o be in fear for most of her life and it appears she was quite young when he married her. Poor, not having any where to go, no help from anyone and scared this man would kill her children and family members….what choice did she have, but to stay with this cockroach. What a loser! he didn’t want to work and had her on heavy duty surveillance. Dude was nuttier than a squirrel. And his brother is a chip off the same block!

She and her kids endured so much! This A-hole even tortured the damn dog and that song he was singing about his wife spoke volumes—not to mention playing with a dead deer’s body like it was fun. Yes, I believe her and it was heartbreaking listening to her son speak in court. I hope that when her and her son are eligible for parole they will be released. Nobody should take a life, but when yours is in danger then you have no other option. I just Pray these children get some counseling and don’t end up an abuser like their father or a victim like their mother. This whole family was failed on so many levels.

Wow, I as well was a victim of child abuse. I am a 29 year old male, the second oldest and the oldest boy out of 8 kids. My mom’s first husand was horrible, terrible and very threatening during most of her marriage to him. I had tons of bruises and busted lips, and cuts going to school everyday, it was bad for me. And I always wondered why my mom would not leave, but as a kid you don’t fully understand things. I rarely talk to her about some of the things that occured in the past, but she I know she definetly had no where to go with 8 kids, none of our family members would take us in, and most of our neighbors shut the curtains and head as if nothing happened. Finally a friend of her’s from work, let us hide at her place for sometime and she eventually left him. I have no sympathy for child and woman abusers. I can only pray that they get what they deserve, because what right do you have to put your hands on someone else.

I just finished watching the documentary and I can’t help being left with the feeling that I must do or say something. It is just sad to see what that family had to live with for years, and when a mother does what she feels she had no other option to do in order to protect her children, she is penalized. I really feel that she was given the short end of the stick. I feel that although she should spend some time in jail for murder, 10 years is just way too long. Especially since she has already been held in captivity for 20 years. This is rediculous, when you consider how many rapist and stalkers roam free after just a couple of years behind bars.

Every F***ing Day of My Life…Wow, what a powerful story of the Maldonado family. The judge in the case (who did not see the documentary) said that he believed that the abuse that was stated was real. I agree with other posters that stated you could look at Wendy in the video footage and see she was not happy and felt trapped with no way out. The poor citizens of our society have no voice to aid them in seeking help. Neither Aaron nor Wendy worked; so how was she going to get the help that she needed for herself and her family? As far as Aaron’s brother Paul; it is sad that he could not understand the pain they were in from the abuse inflicted by his brother. Why would his nephews lie? It wasn’t like anyone tried to cover-up the incident; Wendy called 911. Domestic Violence in this country should be taken more seriously and resources should be available to those who desperately need it; so that this type of extreme doesn’t become common place.

I would just like to say how sad this is. I just finished watching the movie on HBO and was in complete shock! There was something seriously wrong with that man, that goes beyond being mean. I know plently of unhappy, mean people who don’t do this? He was mentally ILL!
I would like his brother to commend on how Wendy got her teeth knocked out? Or all the holes in the walls that they found in the house, how did they get there? Or all the all injuries they found on Wendy? Did she do it to herself? Are all of them making it up? Nobody believes they are making it up.
You can mourn your brother, but except the fact that he was Mentally ILL, a horrible man and abused women and children. It sounds like you too might be ill, please help yourself before it goes too far and something like this happens to you. Mental illness runs in families. The fact is your brother beat these people and NOBODY did anything to stop it. Not you, not her family, NOBODY! Face the facts. Even the judge believed them. It seems you’re the only one who didn’t. The facts don’t lie, only your sick twisted family does! You should sterilize yourself so that you can’t reproduce, this world doesn’t need another antichrist, that your parents seemed to produce and is in your genes.
God Bless Wendy and her Children. Hopefully then didn’t get those sick genes from their sperm donor.

Anton,
Did you not see your future watching this movie? Not real bright are you?
You sound like a loser wanna be. But I will pray for you any way, and that you really do not have kids. Grow up, your comments are Childish and immature,

I WATCHED THE MOVIE AND I THINK THAT IT IS FUCKED UP THAT THE COPS DID NOTHING EVEN WHEN THY WERE THERE KNOWING THAT SOME THING WAS WRONG AND THE COURTS IN GRANT PASS , OREGON SHOULD KNOW THAT THY FUCKED UP BY GIVING HER AND WENDY AND RANDY THAT MUCH TIME FOR PROTECTING THERE FAMILY ( WHAT IF IT WAS THEM ) WHY DONT PEOPLE FUCKIN THINK ABOUT WHAT THY ARE DOING ? I UNDERSTAND WERE WENDY AND RANDY COME FROM AND I KNOW WHY THY DID WHAT THY DID AND I UNDERSTAND THAT PART THE PART I DONT UNDERSTAND IS HOW YOU CAN GIVE A MOTHER DOING HER JOB BY PROTECTING HER FAMILY 10 FUCKING YEARS IN PRISION AND RANDY PROTECTING HIS MOTHER 6 YEARS IN PRISION I DONT THINK THAT EVERY ONE REALY THOUGHT ABOUT WHAT THY DID AND I THINK THE SHOULD BE RELEASED A.S.A.P. FUCKIN GIVE THEM TIME SERVERED OR SOME THING
HOW CAN YOU CONVICT SOME ONE FOR THE PROTECTION OF THERE FAMILY
I THINK SOME NEEDS TO DO SOME THING ABOUT THIS BECOUSE ITS FUCKED UP \
I JUST WATCHED THE MOVIE ON HBO 2009

I think the best solution to this situation is to travel back in time and spay and neuter the parents of Aaron and Wendy so none of those derelicts would ever be born. That would also have freed up a space at the trailer park.

Remember, meth is marvelous.

I saw Every F**king day of my Life last night and I think that Wendy and Randy should not have gotten as much time as they did. The judge admitted that this was the worse case of abuse that he has seen but that is not an excuse for their actions. Which is not fair. A homeonwner can get away with killing a person for invading their home but a wife can’t kill her husband for abusing her for 20 years? They are both cases of self defense right? I think that if she was in the middle of getting beat and Randy killed him then that would have been “Self Defense” enough, but they just decided to do it so i think that is why it was murder and not self defense. People think that by calling the police or the abuse hotline will save them. Umm wrong. She was with Aaron 24/7 how was she ever going to call. Then the time Randy called the police just left even when the neighbor stopped them and told them something was wrong, they still left and said to call. The whole murder could have been avoided. But I think that killing Aaron was the only way out for Wendy because eventually Aaron would have gotten out of prison and would be back and probably really mad. Randy said that if his mom called the police or ever left his dad that his dad would go kill his mom’s parents and sisters. So by killing one, Wendy saved many. Also, when the police came, Aaron said go out and say nothing is wrong and remember the other kids are in here with me, implying that he will hurt them if she doesn’t do what he says. But if i were Wendy i would not have let Randy intervene. Because now both of them are in jail and her other 3 sons don’t have either of them.

This is the kind of Trailer Trash epic that makes Inbred-Jed feel highly intelligent!

Normal people don’t live in Grants Pass. Its a place for phuc-ing your sister and doing lots of meth.

These life stories will repeat in the children. The best thing to do is put a BAN on reproducing in Josephine County.

Just save the adult book store with the glory hole. Where men can be men with other men and pretend they are not gay.

I want to petition to free Wendy and Randy Maldonado! She nor her son should be in prison for this.

Just saw documentary with my wife. What an amazing story and what a strong person Becky and the kids had to become to put up with this shit! As for Aaron maldonado he should have suffered more then what he did and that goes for his piece of shit weirdo fucking brother who also should have his head caved in. God bless Becky, Randy and the kids.