- 2 months ago
Taking Back My Life: The Nancy Ziegenmeyer Story (1992) is an inspiring true story about strength, courage, and self-empowerment. The film follows Nancy Ziegenmeyer, a woman who chooses hope and perseverance as she rebuilds her life and inspires others with her bravery. With powerful performances and a message of resilience, this 1992 drama highlights the importance of courage, self-worth, and standing up for what’s right. It’s a heartfelt and emotional story about personal growth, healing, and the human spirit.
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00:04:01That's a special one.
00:04:03I know.
00:04:03Can I take it to school?
00:04:05No, I don't think you better take it to school.
00:04:07You're right.
00:04:07It's too special.
00:04:08Where did I get the word school anyway?
00:04:11School of Fish.
00:04:12Hey, let me see that.
00:04:13I wish you would have played basketball without your goggles.
00:04:22Okay, okay, I do.
00:04:24Good morning.
00:04:25Well, you know, Wilma.
00:04:26Well, you know, Wilma, I usually do get dressed when I take the kids to school, otherwise it causes quite a stir.
00:04:42Now, that's not a fight.
00:04:43Now, that's not a fight, huh?
00:04:43I quit fighting, just like I quit a lot of things.
00:04:47Well, I thought I'd take him to school this morning.
00:04:51Before.
00:04:51Well, to help you out.
00:04:54Give you a break.
00:04:55Well, I must be dreaming.
00:04:58I'm going to sit on you.
00:04:59Come on, kids.
00:05:00Get your things ready.
00:05:01I'm going to take this school.
00:05:02Wilma, what are you doing?
00:05:03Bye, Mom.
00:05:04See you later.
00:05:04Sister, get your lunchbox.
00:05:07I want you to know that I don't hold nothing against you for you and Stephen breaking up.
00:05:12Wilma, that's, um, that's funny.
00:05:17I think it's sad.
00:05:19I hope you find peace.
00:05:24Peace.
00:05:25I hope you find peace.
00:05:55You got a sign?
00:05:59Sure.
00:06:02Got to look for a place?
00:06:05You're going to get divorced right here?
00:06:07Right now on the couch?
00:06:08Why not?
00:06:11That's how we started up.
00:06:14At Mikey's shop party at the four-star garage.
00:06:18A couple kegs, a couple kegs, some hot music, a few horny kids, and an old beat-up couch.
00:06:26Lemon doll?
00:06:28Lemon doll?
00:06:29Nope.
00:06:29Nope.
00:06:29Why do you like me?
00:06:30I don't know.
00:06:31I don't know.
00:06:32I don't know.
00:06:33Me anyway.
00:06:34I'm a bubbly.
00:06:35And more bubbly.
00:06:39Why don't you ask me why I like to?
00:06:43Don't make too much difference.
00:06:47What are you doing with your finger?
00:06:53Well, the wicked witch of the West put a curse on me.
00:06:56She comes into the kitchen, the knife flies right out of my hand, slices half my finger off.
00:07:00What was she doing there?
00:07:02She came to help me.
00:07:03The kid's just gone.
00:07:05Somehow that doesn't sound like Wilma helping out.
00:07:09Oh, she's sweet as sugar, you know.
00:07:11She's getting her boy back.
00:07:22I told you 12 years ago to leave my mother alone.
00:07:24Well, I'm finally taking your advice.
00:07:31We heard our plates.
00:07:33Hi.
00:07:33Hey, you want your dessert?
00:07:36Where'd you get that car, Nick?
00:07:38New place.
00:07:40That belongs to one of your friends.
00:07:41You've got to give it back.
00:07:43Dr. Randolph gave it to me.
00:07:45Are you crazy?
00:07:46You haven't seen Dr. Randolph in six months.
00:07:49Where'd you get it, buddy?
00:07:50Today, Dr. Randolph's house.
00:07:53Today.
00:07:56Grandma took us.
00:07:56Are you crazy?
00:07:57Grandma took you to the doctor in Des Moines instead of taking you to school?
00:08:08Hey, it's not your fault.
00:08:12You did the right thing by telling the truth.
00:08:14Mom, what is wrong with you?
00:08:25Didn't you know that we'd find out you took them to the doctors?
00:08:28They missed half the day of school.
00:08:30I don't care.
00:08:31The truth has to come out.
00:08:32What truth?
00:08:34You wouldn't say that the doctors...
00:08:35You stay away from him.
00:08:37Nick, your mother hits you.
00:08:37You get away from my kids.
00:08:39Now, don't fear, but make God unruly.
00:08:40You are never going to take my kids anywhere ever again.
00:08:43I've seen abuse on Nick.
00:08:45When is this going to stop?
00:08:46You hit your children.
00:08:47You burn them with cigarettes.
00:08:48Stephen, please.
00:08:49What do you want me to do?
00:08:50I want you to make her stop.
00:08:52Your lawyer ought to know about this.
00:08:53His lawyer?
00:08:54Yes, if his lawyer knows what a sinner you are,
00:08:57Stephen's going to get his rightful deal out of this divorce.
00:08:59I'm only trying to protect my son.
00:09:02You have killed this marriage.
00:09:03It is sitting there bleeding on the sidewalk.
00:09:06What else do you want?
00:09:07As the days go by,
00:09:09I can look in her eyes and see it fade.
00:09:12What?
00:09:13I'm going to take you out right now.
00:09:15Right now.
00:09:16Go ahead.
00:09:17I got it.
00:09:17If you want to argue, you argue with the cops.
00:09:22You picked the wrong night, cowboy.
00:09:25It's all over.
00:09:26The ragger, it is always to hurt.
00:09:28It's always to hurt.
00:09:29Oh.
00:09:32Oh.
00:09:33I don't pay you to give me more ulcers than I already got.
00:09:40Just stay out of there, huh?
00:09:41I can handle it.
00:09:44Oh, you've got that expression again.
00:09:47What's the matter?
00:09:48Does Mommy Nears get on your case again?
00:09:51Stephen won't say a word to him.
00:09:53He just stands there and takes it like a lump.
00:09:56Well, here comes something to cheer you up.
00:09:59I'll take you another round here.
00:10:05All right, thanks.
00:10:11Not tonight, Zach.
00:10:13I am not in the mood.
00:10:15That's like Reggie Jackson saying he don't feel like getting up to bat.
00:10:18Good job.
00:10:30Good job.
00:10:31Yeah, hi.
00:10:36Arkansas.
00:10:37What about the kids?
00:10:57If I'm settled, they'll come and live with me.
00:11:01Yeah, well, I never said you could take my kids to live in Arkansas.
00:11:06Our lawyers will discuss.
00:11:07You're damn right.
00:11:21What's he do?
00:11:22Looks for an oil company, pipeline repairman, all across the South Central region.
00:11:30Treats me like a queen and I can talk to him.
00:11:34That's great.
00:11:35Is that all you have to say?
00:11:43I can't stand these silences.
00:11:46I don't want our kids to grow up in the house where no one even talks to each other.
00:11:55You know, every time I see you anywhere, all I see is Wilma's cold stare.
00:12:00Well, I'm not going to let anybody shut me down like that.
00:12:02Not her, not you.
00:12:03Okay, guys.
00:12:11Mama's got to get them on.
00:12:13Okay.
00:12:15Okay.
00:12:19I miss you.
00:12:23Hey, Sissy Buck.
00:12:25I'm going to put up on your mobile, okay?
00:12:31And then you'll remember that I'm going to come home real soon, okay?
00:12:35Okay.
00:12:36Come here.
00:12:38I love you.
00:12:40Come on in, Sissy.
00:12:41Nancy, whatever you do, I'll still love you.
00:12:58I'll be back.
00:13:11I'll be right back.
00:13:18Oh, my.
00:14:19Heather and Crystal.
00:14:23Hi, girls.
00:14:26Good afternoon, ma'am.
00:14:27Good afternoon, ma'am.
00:14:29I don't know who these people are.
00:14:42I don't know what I'm doing here.
00:14:45Huh?
00:14:46That hand's not clean.
00:14:48I miss you and the kids so badly.
00:14:51I made a mistake.
00:14:55I want to try again, you and me.
00:14:57Is that mom?
00:14:58Is that mom and her?
00:14:59What do you want me to say?
00:15:00What you said when I left?
00:15:06Well, it still goes.
00:15:11Okay.
00:15:13Okay.
00:15:14She's the mother of my children.
00:15:26We're still here.
00:15:49Benjamin's got to be picked up from school.
00:15:51It's my dentist appointment.
00:15:54Thanks for taking such good care of the kids.
00:16:04Documents came.
00:16:08So we're divorced?
00:16:13As far as I can see, it's just a piece of paper.
00:16:17Does that mean you'll take me back even after what I've done?
00:16:20Well, that depends on why you've come back.
00:16:24I realize that I love you more than I hate your mother.
00:16:31Let's just start.
00:16:32Yeah, well, we need to start.
00:16:36We've got to make some changes.
00:16:40Things would be a lot better around here if you would just tell Wilma to leave us alone.
00:16:44Do you think you could do that?
00:16:46You think you could keep your shorts up for more than five minutes?
00:16:50Steven, I'm really sorry.
00:16:52I'm asking you a simple question.
00:16:57Yeah.
00:17:01I'll take care of my mother.
00:17:03Sorry.
00:17:03Hey, hey.
00:17:21Think there's any chance that I'm going to pass this real estate test?
00:17:24No offense, but you never were the world's greatest student.
00:17:34Yeah, but I'd be great at selling real estate.
00:17:39You got a big enough mouth.
00:17:40Okay, Vicki.
00:17:45What's the problem?
00:17:47You mad about me leaving the bar?
00:17:54Do what you got to do.
00:17:56I have to understand it.
00:17:58I'm not saying that it's going to work or anything, but I've got to try to get a normal job.
00:18:02No offense, but it's no offense, with no temptations, and try to pull my family together.
00:18:10What does Steven have to say about that?
00:18:15Let's put it this way.
00:18:16I've been back for three weeks, and we're still not sleeping in the same bed.
00:18:19Oh, God.
00:18:22Well, you know, he's got his own sense of things, honey.
00:18:28Yeah, kind of like a tree stump that never moves.
00:18:33Well, you take it slow, in case you've got all the time in the world.
00:18:49What are you doing?
00:19:04Parts of my body are chowder, and I didn't even know I had.
00:19:11You crazy nut.
00:19:16Come here.
00:19:19There's a river made of moonlight
00:19:27Flowing clear across the lake
00:19:33And there's a million stars just waiting
00:19:39To fall for any wish we made
00:19:42Darling, tonight I am reminded
00:19:48No, it's too soon after you run off for that guy
00:19:56Yeah, I probably don't deserve to be here at all
00:19:59No
00:19:59No, it's not that
00:20:03It's just that it's too soon
00:20:04I'm sorry
00:20:07We've got time
00:20:12We've got lots of time
00:20:17What are closing costs?
00:20:33Closing costs are charges assessed to the buyer when making a real estate purchase
00:20:37Market price, the price paid regardless
00:20:40Regardless
00:20:41Regardless of pressure mode of Seattle intelligence
00:20:43I am ready, I am ready, I am ready
00:20:48Not yet
00:20:48Yeah, I am ready to go
00:21:07Uh-oh.
00:21:34I'm not going to hurt you.
00:21:44I just want your money.
00:21:46It's in my purse, in the wallet.
00:22:04Why are you listening to that garbage?
00:22:16How can you afford such a nice car?
00:22:20My husband bought it.
00:22:26Don't look at me!
00:22:41If you hurt me, I'll kill you.
00:22:56I should tie you up and throw you in the trunk.
00:23:05I should tie you up and throw you in the ribbon.
00:23:13Let me see this.
00:23:15Are these real?
00:23:18Yeah.
00:23:26Sit on the floor and stay there.
00:23:38Wait 10 minutes, then drive to the interstate.
00:23:44I'm going to get in my car and follow you to make sure you don't come back and you don't
00:23:48go to the police.
00:23:49I've got your driver's license.
00:23:52I've got your address.
00:23:54If you go to the police, I'll kill your children, dear.
00:24:00And even if I'm in jail, don't think you're safe because my brother will come out to where
00:24:04you live and do it for me.
00:24:06Understand?
00:24:08Call the police and your kids are dead.
00:24:12No.
00:24:14No.
00:24:18No.
00:24:20No.
00:24:22No.
00:24:24No.
00:24:26No.
00:24:28No.
00:24:30No.
00:24:32No.
00:24:34No.
00:24:36No.
00:24:38No.
00:24:40No.
00:24:42No.
00:24:44No.
00:24:46No.
00:24:48No.
00:24:50No.
00:24:52No.
00:24:54No.
00:24:56No.
00:24:58No.
00:25:00I've just been raped.
00:25:21Please, I've just been raped.
00:25:30Nancy, I'm Deanne Wolfe. I'm from Polk County Rape Services.
00:25:50Nancy has told us she doesn't want to call the police.
00:25:53It's your choice.
00:25:54If I call the police, I'll kill my children.
00:25:58Was that a threat you made to you?
00:26:00Okay.
00:26:05Hopefully, we'll get this man.
00:26:08We'd like to encourage you to be examined,
00:26:10so we'll have the evidence if you choose to press charges later.
00:26:13Right now, is there someone that you'd like to call, a relative or a friend?
00:26:16I'd be happy to help you make the call.
00:26:22What, was it a car accident?
00:26:24No, Mr. Zygmunt. Physically, your wife is fine, but...
00:26:27She's having a hard time.
00:26:29She was attacked this morning, and she was raped.
00:26:38I'll be down there in an hour.
00:26:40I think that Nancy would like to talk to you.
00:26:51I'm sorry.
00:26:55I'm sorry you made me do it.
00:26:57I'm coming.
00:26:59No, no, no, no, you can't come.
00:27:02Please, you have to stay with the children.
00:27:03He knows where we live.
00:27:04No, you just calm down now, and you talk sense.
00:27:08No, no, he took my address out of my wallet.
00:27:11He has our address.
00:27:12You have to stay with the kids.
00:27:14He said that if I went to the police, he would kill the children.
00:27:17All right, all right, I think you've got to go to the police.
00:27:22No, I can't call the police unless you tell me that you're staying with the kids.
00:27:28You have to watch the children.
00:27:31Please, just have Vicki come.
00:27:36All right, okay.
00:27:38We need to look for physical evidence that will connect the assailant with the act if he is apprehended.
00:28:00Is that okay with you?
00:28:05Now, just open your mouth for me.
00:28:08Now, just open your mouth for me.
00:28:39Okay.
00:28:42It's almost finished.
00:28:45I got here as fast as I could.
00:28:53Don't tell anybody.
00:28:55I don't want it around.
00:28:57I won't.
00:28:58I won't tell anybody.
00:29:01I won't tell anybody.
00:29:02I won't tell anybody.
00:29:02I won't tell anybody.
00:29:03I won't tell anybody.
00:29:03I won't tell anybody.
00:29:07He's left here to go to the conference room.
00:29:13We're lucky to have Detective Roth aside from the case.
00:29:15He's not like the rest of you.
00:29:24Detective Roth, Des Moines Police.
00:29:26Hi, Diane.
00:29:26Hi.
00:29:28Nancy, I know you've been through an ordeal,
00:29:29and I don't want to put you through another one,
00:29:31but we have to get some information.
00:29:34Here's a few.
00:29:38I want to take you back to the place where you raped you.
00:29:41No.
00:29:42Nancy, if you can find the strength,
00:29:44I want you to help me now while everything's fresh in your mind.
00:29:46It's your choice.
00:29:53Good girl.
00:30:00He was black, medium, dark skin.
00:30:04And with a voice I'll never forget.
00:30:08He was cool.
00:30:09He never lost his cool.
00:30:12What was he wearing?
00:30:15He was wearing a navy pinstripe suit and white socks.
00:30:22I only saw parts of him.
00:30:26My head was covered with my coat the whole time.
00:30:32He took my wedding rings.
00:30:35Okay, I'll need a description of those later.
00:30:38Nancy, did you at any time see his face?
00:30:40I saw his face.
00:30:45Yeah.
00:30:47I saw his face.
00:30:50Did you see any scars, anything unusual about him?
00:30:54Uh-huh.
00:30:55He had alcohol on his breath.
00:31:02He said he was going to kill my children.
00:31:04All the doors were locked, except for the driver's side.
00:31:13I should have locked the driver's side.
00:31:15I don't blame you, Nancy.
00:31:16None of this is...
00:31:17Oh, Nancy, I was just so stupid.
00:31:19You weren't stupid, Nancy.
00:31:20He was stupid, because he is going to be fucked.
00:31:22I don't want to go back.
00:31:23I'm so cold.
00:31:24You're okay.
00:31:25No, no, I'm really...
00:31:26You're mean, Nancy.
00:31:27You're mean.
00:31:28I'm really cold.
00:31:29Can we just stop?
00:31:30I guess I'm just cold.
00:31:31Just stop for a minute, okay?
00:31:33Right.
00:31:33Can we pull over?
00:31:33Yeah.
00:31:35Shh.
00:31:51You can take me here one second.
00:31:53I'll get more, all right?
00:32:00She's okay.
00:32:03What did he do to you?
00:32:21Dad, what's wrong?
00:32:23What took you so long?
00:32:24You were gone on day.
00:32:25No, it was a really hard test.
00:32:27So it took a really long time?
00:32:29It took a really long time.
00:32:31Come on.
00:32:32You're going to get a cold out here.
00:32:33Get in there.
00:32:34Come on.
00:32:38Okay, you guys, come on.
00:32:38We're all going to sleep in my room tonight.
00:32:40Let's go.
00:32:41Why?
00:32:41I want you to get your pillows, okay?
00:32:43Why?
00:32:43Well, we're going to have a little sleepover.
00:32:45What?
00:32:45We're going to have a really good time.
00:32:48I want everybody in there.
00:32:49We're going to all sleep together.
00:32:50This will be a hard time.
00:32:51Come on, Nancy.
00:32:51You go.
00:32:51You know, you can be the president, Nick, and Ben, you can be the vice president.
00:32:54Sissy, you get to be the secretary.
00:32:55Let's go.
00:32:56March in there.
00:32:57Oh, you'd like to be the president.
00:32:58You're going to lead everybody around.
00:32:59Now, let's go.
00:33:00I do.
00:33:00I'm going to put Sissy's back here.
00:33:02Yeah.
00:33:02This will be excellent.
00:33:03I don't want you to sleep here.
00:33:05And here, Nick, here's yours.
00:33:06Let's go.
00:33:08Why don't you get in this sleeping bag?
00:33:09That's a good boy.
00:33:10In you go.
00:33:11I want Lisa.
00:33:12No, no, no.
00:33:12You've got Shamu.
00:33:13Right here.
00:33:13There you go.
00:33:14Come on.
00:33:15Can you get in?
00:33:15I want Lisa, too.
00:33:17You don't need both.
00:33:18Now, go to sleep right now.
00:33:19You're talking to me, boys.
00:33:20I feel my feelings.
00:33:23Oh, I'm sorry.
00:33:24I'm sorry, sweetie.
00:33:25I didn't mean to talk to me, boys.
00:33:27I'll get Lisa, please.
00:33:27It's okay.
00:33:29I want you.
00:33:33Okay.
00:33:35Come here.
00:33:36Come here, sweetie.
00:33:38Come on.
00:33:38Come on.
00:33:39Sit with me.
00:33:40Come on.
00:33:40Let's put my shampoo down.
00:33:42Come on, everybody, right here.
00:33:44I'm going to stay with you all night.
00:33:46Come on.
00:33:46Where are you going?
00:33:47Where are you going, Dad?
00:33:48And I'll watch you sleep.
00:33:50I want my little babies.
00:33:52That's all my little babies.
00:33:54Where's your house?
00:33:55Come on.
00:33:56Let's go sleep.
00:33:57That's the girl.
00:33:59Come on.
00:34:02Good night.
00:34:04That's the baby.
00:34:05Come on.
00:34:06That's my babies.
00:34:14You know they're going to figure out that something's up.
00:34:17I don't care.
00:34:18I don't want to let them out of my sight.
00:34:22Are the windows locked?
00:34:24Yeah.
00:34:26Look, uh, you go on to sleep.
00:34:29I'll keep watch.
00:34:31Okay.
00:34:31Okay.
00:34:31I'm, I can't sleep.
00:34:59Why don't you go on to sleep.
00:35:04It's all right.
00:35:12I don't know.
00:35:20Detective Ross, Nancy, how are you doing?
00:35:41Not so great. I haven't heard from you in a long time. I don't know what's going on.
00:35:46I mean, this man threatened to kill my children. Are you doing anything about it?
00:35:50Nancy, I promise you, we're working on it. The Pawn Squad is checking every pawn shop in the county for your wedding rings.
00:35:57It's only been two weeks.
00:35:59Yeah, so you're going to call me when you know something?
00:36:01We're working on it.
00:36:03Okay.
00:36:06So, what's up?
00:36:08Oh, please, I'm doing a damn thing about it.
00:36:12Okay, Stephen, would you go with them?
00:36:15Hey, Nancy.
00:36:15You know, I think if some guy wants to kill us, he's probably not going to come ringing on the doorbell.
00:36:22It's Grandma.
00:36:22Hi, Grandma.
00:36:23What is your mother doing here?
00:36:26It's Grandma.
00:36:27Can I come to the door?
00:36:30I told her about what happened.
00:36:32You told your mother?
00:36:34I thought that if you had another woman to talk to, it might make it easier to...
00:36:42Yeah, but your mother!
00:36:44Well, you know she understands more than...
00:36:47Stephen, I trusted you.
00:36:49This was between us, our secret.
00:36:51I didn't want anyone to know about it.
00:36:53God!
00:36:53Daddy, who's going to kill us?
00:37:04Come here.
00:37:07Mom, look, nobody's going to kill you.
00:37:11Nobody's going to hurt you.
00:37:15Morning.
00:37:16Hey.
00:37:17Hi, Grandma.
00:37:18Hi, Dad.
00:37:19Don't talk to me.
00:37:23Don't look at me.
00:37:24Just don't talk to me.
00:37:27I'll wait with the kids, with the bus.
00:37:29Wilma, I know that you are just laughing up your sleeve.
00:37:34You're wrong, Nancy.
00:37:35You hate my guts.
00:37:38Nothing would make you happier than to see me brought low.
00:37:41I know what you're thinking.
00:37:43You're thinking she got just what she deserved.
00:37:46Nobody should have to go through what you're going through.
00:37:51You go with the kids, I'll do the dishes.
00:37:53Wilma, you don't...
00:37:58Now, you told me Lisa Smith was at her mom's.
00:38:08I'd go where he told me to, and the apartment sent me.
00:38:11Make yourself comfortable.
00:38:12Now, she pawns the rings two weeks after the attack,
00:38:16and Bobby Lee Smith has given me to run around?
00:38:19Heh.
00:38:20As far as I'm concerned,
00:38:22that puts him right in the ballgame.
00:38:28Oh, God, my rings.
00:38:30Are they yours?
00:38:31Yeah.
00:38:34I had them made up special for our wedding.
00:38:37I never thought I'd see them again.
00:38:39I need them back.
00:38:41Sorry, it's principal evidence.
00:38:44No, I can't...
00:38:45They'll be returned to you after the trial.
00:38:53You're going to arrest this character?
00:38:56If Nancy can identify him.
00:38:59What's the penalty for rape?
00:39:01I'm going for the more serious charge.
00:39:03Now, he drove her around.
00:39:04That makes it kidnapping.
00:39:06If we get him on kidnapping,
00:39:07we can put him away for life.
00:39:08Pause it.
00:39:22Pause it.
00:39:28I think we have enough.
00:39:30Nan Horvath said they'd be in room 215.
00:39:45So, where is your lawyer?
00:39:48I don't know.
00:39:50Well, maybe this is the wrong room.
00:39:52Uh-uh.
00:39:52This is 215.
00:39:53Uh, excuse me.
00:39:55Um, can you tell me where Nan Horvath's office is?
00:40:04You have to register this one with the clerk.
00:40:06Hi, Nan.
00:40:08Um, I know this is extremely dumb, but we're lost.
00:40:10We can't find the trial.
00:40:11Nancy, Stephen, I think I told you
00:40:13the victim doesn't need to be here
00:40:14for pre-trial motions and jury selection.
00:40:16No, I know.
00:40:17I just want it to be there.
00:40:18Anyway, the case has been continued.
00:40:22Con-ti-ti-a-
00:40:23What does that mean?
00:40:25That means the trial has been postponed,
00:40:27possibly for a few months.
00:40:29Months?
00:40:30Why?
00:40:33Would you excuse us for a minute, Kathy?
00:40:35Come in and sit down.
00:40:37Come on.
00:40:38Stephen, please sit down.
00:40:42Nan Horvath.
00:40:44Can I call you right back?
00:40:46Thanks.
00:40:48Okay.
00:40:50It's technical.
00:40:51But basically, we're using a DNA test.
00:40:55But Bobby's lawyers are saying
00:40:56the test is too new to be reliable.
00:40:58So right now, we're locked in this legal battle
00:41:00over the admissibility of DNA evidence
00:41:02in the state of Iowa.
00:41:03Excuse me if I'm not exactly impressed
00:41:05with all that.
00:41:06But this is the man that threatened
00:41:08to kill my children?
00:41:10It has been over five months,
00:41:11and just recently, I started letting them
00:41:13take the school bus alone.
00:41:15Nancy, are you seeing it, counselor?
00:41:17Counseling is not what we're looking for.
00:41:18You don't even have the common courtesy
00:41:20to give me a call and tell me
00:41:21that my trial has been postponed?
00:41:23I mean, this is my case.
00:41:24You are my lawyer.
00:41:25I am not your lawyer.
00:41:27I represent all the people of Polk County.
00:41:30I'm a prosecutor.
00:41:31And this is not your case.
00:41:34You are a witness for the state of Iowa.
00:41:37And where is my lawyer?
00:41:39I'm the one who was violated.
00:41:41No criminal justice system provides
00:41:43a lawyer for the victim.
00:41:45I may not understand this,
00:41:47but it doesn't seem right to me
00:41:48that I should not have a lawyer,
00:41:50and he does.
00:41:50I don't have to understand.
00:41:53These are principles of law.
00:41:55Why don't you leave the law to me?
00:41:58You know, I didn't go to college.
00:42:00But I know when someone is telling me
00:42:02to take a flying leap.
00:42:04Nancy.
00:42:06Nancy.
00:42:11Come on, sis.
00:42:12See if you can catch me.
00:42:16Okay.
00:42:17Ben, get back.
00:42:18Sissy, I said get back.
00:42:20I do not want you going down the street.
00:42:21Didn't I tell you that?
00:42:23Now get in your room.
00:42:23I do not want you out of the house.
00:42:25Now get in your room right now.
00:42:27Go on.
00:42:28In there.
00:42:28Right?
00:42:28Get in your room.
00:42:29I've had enough of this.
00:42:43See you later.
00:42:44See you later.
00:42:44Some people just can't get enough.
00:42:55Yeah, I'm a junk food junkie.
00:42:57That's me.
00:42:58When you do have an appetite,
00:43:00you've had all the men in town.
00:43:02Now you go around
00:43:03picking them up off the street.
00:43:05Hey, Nick.
00:43:21Hey, what's up?
00:43:25Something's wrong with me.
00:43:29Yeah.
00:43:30Come on.
00:43:35I was going to make the kids cheeseburgers.
00:43:42I mean, they wanted cheeseburgers.
00:43:44And I went to the grocery store.
00:43:48I'm just going to make a macaroni and cheese.
00:43:52I mean, my grandpa always used to make us macaroni and cheese.
00:43:56I thought that would be okay if I just...
00:43:58I did that.
00:44:05I can't.
00:44:08I can't.
00:44:12Hey, Stephen, I can't.
00:44:21Grandma told everybody about the rape.
00:44:25It's the biggest joke in town.
00:44:28Are you sure it could be on them?
00:44:38Sure the only one that knew
00:44:40is for you
00:44:42and me
00:44:44and Ricky.
00:44:46Ricky.
00:44:46Hi, darling.
00:45:10You've got to lay off, Nancy.
00:45:12Well, what did I do?
00:45:14The whole damn town knows.
00:45:15I told two people
00:45:19and they were supposed to keep quiet.
00:45:23What a hatred you've got for her.
00:45:26I want you to put it aside.
00:45:28I have got nothing against Nancy
00:45:30except one thing.
00:45:31She abuses her children
00:45:32and I'm not going to let her get away with it.
00:45:33Nancy doesn't abuse anybody.
00:45:35There's other ways to discipline.
00:45:37Children should not be hit.
00:45:38Not with hands,
00:45:39not with belts,
00:45:40not with cattle whips.
00:45:40Oh.
00:45:42Can you hear yourself?
00:45:45What?
00:45:46Yeah, well, you're not talking about Nancy.
00:45:47You're talking about you.
00:45:49Your father used to take you down to a barn
00:45:51and beat you with a cattle whip.
00:45:52Now, that's not Nancy.
00:45:53Nancy, I know what happened to me
00:45:56and it's not going to happen to my grandchildren.
00:45:58I don't want her taking this rape out on them.
00:46:00She's not taking anything out on anybody.
00:46:02And that's all I told your neighbors to watch out for.
00:46:07Look, now,
00:46:07we're trying to pull this family back together.
00:46:09Now, if you want to be part of this family,
00:46:12then you just better start acting that way.
00:46:14Stephen, she is a sex fiend.
00:46:16She slept with everybody in town.
00:46:18Now, why would you want to stay with a woman like that?
00:46:20How can you talk so stupid and mean, huh?
00:46:22Don't you dare ever speak disrespectfully to me.
00:46:28I don't want you in my house anymore.
00:46:29Hear me?
00:46:30Stephen.
00:46:30I'm sorry.
00:46:32Don't you come into my house anymore.
00:46:33You hear.
00:46:34Stephen.
00:46:36Stephen.
00:46:37If anything happens to my grandkids,
00:46:41their blood is going to be on your hands.
00:46:49I never lost it like that before with the kids.
00:46:53Oh.
00:46:55You kid yourself.
00:46:57You've always had a temper.
00:46:59Even before it happened.
00:47:07Don't you make love to me.
00:47:14Been a long time.
00:47:17I've got to know if you still love me.
00:47:22If you could stand and touch me.
00:47:24If you could stand and touch me.
00:47:37If I can't do something.
00:47:39I love you.
00:48:03Hooray.
00:48:04��o.
00:48:05Daddy, we're going out for pizza
00:48:09You are, huh? Alright
00:48:10In the truck
00:48:11I want to stop by the college
00:48:15and get a library card
00:48:16I want to start learning about principles of law
00:48:18regarding rape
00:48:19Then I can understand what Nan Horvat
00:48:23is talking about, take charge of this case
00:48:25and stop feeling like dog meat
00:48:27Alright, let's go
00:48:30Pizza
00:48:35Why the judge won't accept testimony
00:48:56of the statistical results of the DNA test
00:48:58Because the defense convinced the judge
00:49:00that our expert witness was incredible
00:49:01on statistical analysis
00:49:03But in the case of People vs. Collins
00:49:05Nancy, I respect the fact that you're reading
00:49:08I really do, but it's not that simple
00:49:10It is, it is that simple
00:49:12This man has got to be put away
00:49:15But no, see, it's just because I am a victim
00:49:18I am just another witness
00:49:20See, look
00:49:23Look at this deposition, N.Z
00:49:25Who is that? I mean, she doesn't even have a name
00:49:28That's to protect your privacy
00:49:30See, I was rape, but now it's worse than before
00:49:32Now it's nothing
00:49:34And according to the law, I don't exist
00:49:36It's not a perfect system
00:49:37But if we work within it, we'll prevail
00:49:39You gotta try and be patient
00:49:42When we get to court in September
00:49:44I will have this case so long
00:49:45It's September
00:49:45Yeah, the trial's gonna continue to get
00:49:49No, I can't wait until September
00:49:51My family can't wait
00:49:54The trial has been continued again
00:50:07What am I supposed to do?
00:50:13Stephen
00:50:13As long as rape is deemed unspeakable
00:50:24And is therefore not fully and honestly spoken of
00:50:28The public outrage will be muted as well
00:50:32Call her
00:50:38For who?
00:50:39This editor
00:50:40Geneva Overhauser
00:50:42She's saying that victims have gotta come forward
00:50:46Come forward and do what?
00:50:47And say what happened to you
00:50:49Oh, Stephen, I couldn't do that
00:50:51I wish you could
00:50:52What if my name wound up in a newspaper
00:50:54And everybody knew what Bobby Lee Smith did to me?
00:50:57Yeah, so what?
00:50:58Huh?
00:51:00I mean, if he hit you over the head with a stick
00:51:02You'd do something about it
00:51:03I bet you there's a lot of gals out there
00:51:07Going through just what you are
00:51:08Well, let one of them speak up
00:51:10You could do it
00:51:13You're strong
00:51:16And you're a little bit out of spoken
00:51:20Yeah, I know that
00:51:24Mr. and Mrs. Egenmeyer
00:51:36Could you come with me, please?
00:51:51Here he is here
00:51:52Come in
00:51:54Hi, come on in, please
00:51:58Hi, I'm Geneve Overhauser
00:52:05Hello
00:52:05Won't you sit down?
00:52:15Well, how can I help you?
00:52:22Go on
00:52:23My name is Nancy Zegemeyer
00:52:28And this is my husband, Stephen
00:52:29I was raped
00:52:33Nancy, I'm sorry
00:52:35First, I was raped by this man
00:52:37And now by the legal system
00:52:39They postponed my trial four times
00:52:42After reading your editorial
00:52:44I thought maybe you could do something
00:52:46I can
00:52:49I can do your story
00:52:52What exactly do you mean by my story?
00:52:57What I see
00:52:57Is a major hard-hitting series about a rape
00:53:01And not an anonymous rape
00:53:03But a rape of a woman named Nancy Zegemeyer
00:53:06From the moment it happened
00:53:07Until the conclusion of the trial
00:53:09You would use my real name
00:53:11That's what makes it news
00:53:13And for the first time in Iowa journalism
00:53:15We publicly named the victim
00:53:17When we can talk as openly about rape
00:53:20As we can about other crimes
00:53:22We'll be able to start lifting the burden of shame
00:53:24That burden will never disappear
00:53:27Until women can stand there
00:53:29And say, this happened to me
00:53:30How does that sound so far?
00:53:36Scary
00:53:36But possible
00:53:38Possible
00:53:40Let's talk about some basic facts
00:53:44Where did you both grow up?
00:53:46Both grew up in Grinnell
00:53:48High school sweethearts?
00:53:51How long have you both been married?
00:53:53Twelve years
00:53:53Is there something wrong?
00:53:58No, it's just these questions
00:54:00I don't know
00:54:02What's gonna happen when this story comes out?
00:54:06Your picture will go out
00:54:08To a statewide circulation of 400,000
00:54:11Everyone in Iowa
00:54:13Will know the intimate details
00:54:14Of what happened to you and your family
00:54:16It just seems to me
00:54:19That if you have trouble
00:54:20Answering these basic questions
00:54:22I think you should go home
00:54:24And think about it
00:54:25If you're gonna do this
00:54:28You better not lie
00:54:29I didn't lie
00:54:31Yes, you did
00:54:31You said we were married
00:54:33And we're not
00:54:33We're divorced
00:54:34And we're living
00:54:35And God knows what kind of
00:54:36A cockeyed arrangement
00:54:37It's called a love mess, darling
00:54:39This lady is interested
00:54:40So you do this
00:54:42Or don't do it
00:54:42But you be honest
00:54:44Fine
00:54:45Then you be honest with me
00:54:48How is it gonna feel
00:54:50When the guys in the shop
00:54:51Read in the paper
00:54:52Exactly what Bobby Lee Smith
00:54:54Did to me
00:54:54Isn't that gonna embarrass you to death?
00:54:57That'd be ignorant
00:54:58It wasn't your fault
00:54:59Well, how about when people say
00:55:01With a past like her
00:55:02She deserved it
00:55:03She was probably asking for it
00:55:05What are you gonna say to her?
00:55:06I don't know what I'm gonna say
00:55:07The thing is
00:55:09You get this off your chest
00:55:11Get this guy into jail
00:55:13And maybe then we can put this
00:55:14Behind us
00:55:15And get on with the rest of our lives
00:55:17Stephen
00:55:18Stay with me here
00:55:21That's what we both want
00:55:25Hi
00:55:34Oh, hi
00:55:35How are you doing?
00:55:36I think this was a mistake
00:55:38What?
00:55:39Well, I shouldn't have called you
00:55:41Oh, no, don't be so happy
00:55:42Happy to be here
00:55:43Look, you're facing a really hard choice
00:55:45Evelyn
00:55:46Yeah, let them
00:55:50Publish my story in the paper
00:55:52And worrying what everybody's gonna say about it
00:55:55And how it's gonna affect the kids
00:55:56And all that stuff
00:55:57That just isn't the hardest part
00:56:03Thank you
00:56:05Okay
00:56:06The hard part is steep
00:56:11Wasn't it his idea to go to the paper?
00:56:13Yeah
00:56:14But, uh
00:56:15I still think he knows what he's getting into
00:56:20What is he getting into?
00:56:23I'm sorry
00:56:24Nancy, can you talk to me?
00:56:43I think Stephen's gonna leave me
00:56:45Why would he leave you?
00:56:50Because, um
00:56:51When he reads in black and white
00:56:55Who I really am
00:56:56And what I've really done
00:56:57You mean what you were forced to do
00:57:00When you were raped
00:57:00What I've done with other guys
00:57:02And
00:57:02We're running off to Arkansas
00:57:05Have you talked about this with Stephen?
00:57:09No, he doesn't talk about his feelings
00:57:11He never has
00:57:13And he never will
00:57:14So are you afraid that
00:57:16If you go forward with the newspaper article
00:57:19That you'll be exposed
00:57:20And Stephen will somehow hate me?
00:57:23Uh-huh
00:57:24But
00:57:27But what?
00:57:30But from other things you told me
00:57:31There's another really strong part of you
00:57:33That wants to get out there
00:57:34And find the legal system
00:57:37And say
00:57:38That I am me
00:57:39And I am not a statistic
00:57:41I am a person with a name
00:57:43That's a powerful statement
00:57:45A woman Knows
00:57:48Without a fear
00:57:51It's alright
00:57:52Let's go
00:57:55Let's go
00:57:55Let's go
00:57:55Let's go
00:57:56Let's go
00:57:56Let's go
00:57:59Let's go
00:58:00Let's go
00:58:02Let's go
00:58:03Let's go
00:58:04He went to the pool.
00:58:34The press? Are you crazy?
00:58:37I was hoping maybe you'd think it would help the trial.
00:58:39Don't you realize what'll happen if the story is printed prior to the trial?
00:58:43No, it won't be.
00:58:44It'll cause another continuance, prejudice the public, create grounds for an appeal, or an outright dismissal of the case.
00:58:51The editor said that nothing would be published until after the trial is over.
00:58:54There is absolutely no reason to trust her.
00:58:58Why not?
00:58:58Because they only want to sell newspapers.
00:59:01Why didn't you come to me first?
00:59:02Right. This is not my case. You're just a witness here, remember?
00:59:08You spend a couple hours in the law library, and suddenly you're an expert on the law?
00:59:14You have no idea how hard everyone in this office has been working to do this right.
00:59:19It takes patience and skill.
00:59:21Not blowing a whole year's work because Nancy Ziegenmayer needs attention.
00:59:28You are being totally unprofessional.
00:59:32All right.
00:59:32In my professional opinion, if this story comes out before the trial, it's over.
00:59:45He's out there on the street, free to do it again.
00:59:49What are you doing here?
01:00:04I just couldn't stay home today.
01:00:06Well, you can't go in there.
01:00:08I thought maybe you'd reconsider.
01:00:10Nancy, if the jury sees that you can function, that you can breeze into the courtroom and sit there,
01:00:16they're not going to believe how badly you were traumatized by this crime.
01:00:20All right. I'll just wait right here.
01:00:22Go home.
01:00:23It's better if you just go home.
01:00:25I'll be there.
01:00:26I'm going to stay with you.
01:00:27No, go on in. It's okay.
01:00:30Excuse me. Go on in.
01:00:31Go on in.
01:00:31This is state's exhibit number 21, a map of the neighborhood surrounding Grandview College.
01:00:53Could you show the jury where Nancy's car was parked when the suspect left her?
01:00:57Go on in.
01:01:27I shot him out in court today.
01:01:56Yeah, you testified.
01:01:57That's pretty smart, huh?
01:01:59Who is it?
01:02:01It's Bobby's wife and his children.
01:02:08What is it?
01:02:12I just never imagined a man that raped me is having children.
01:02:19Bobby, how far did you get in school?
01:02:21I completed two years of college.
01:02:24Where were you on the evening of November 18th?
01:02:27My wife, Lisa, and I went to a place called the Elks Lounge, and we were home around 2.15 in the morning.
01:02:34Bobby, between the time you got home from the Elks Lounge at 2.15 in the morning, the time that Lisa left for her appointment, did you ever leave your residence?
01:02:45No.
01:02:47No.
01:02:49No, I didn't.
01:02:54I mean, anybody could see the man was lying.
01:02:57No, Ed, you're so cool, I'm sure that you're believed.
01:03:00No way.
01:03:01You try to testify against him.
01:03:03Everyone's going to say, there's the town slut.
01:03:06Don't talk like that.
01:03:08You know what I think?
01:03:08I think that reporter's just been nosing around too much.
01:03:12Don't even think like that.
01:03:14Well, there was a time.
01:03:16But I am way past that now, and Stephen knows it.
01:03:19Don't stop.
01:03:20Past what?
01:03:21Huh?
01:03:22Drinking and dancing?
01:03:24Come on, not tonight, sweetheart.
01:03:25Yeah.
01:03:31You really feel like dancing, darling?
01:03:34Okay.
01:03:35Slow down and leave me.
01:03:37Come here, bring your heart.
01:03:39She said, stop and smell the roses, and it's a prayer along the way.
01:03:46Slow down and leave me, don't know what I'm saying.
01:03:49Bring your horse.
01:03:52Yeah.
01:03:56Now we're straight into the city.
01:03:59Come on.
01:04:01Come on, give us some energy.
01:04:02Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
01:04:07Let's play little boy.
01:04:09Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
01:04:12All you can turn away, the road, all I have seen.
01:04:16Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
01:04:18I don't know.
01:04:18Come down the corner to come our way, we'll let the drive.
01:04:21I don't know.
01:04:23Go.
01:04:23Yeah.
01:04:23Go.
01:04:24Remember where you came from.
01:04:27Remember who you want.
01:04:30It's going to look like an owl with a very sharp beak and fire coming out of its eyes, but it wasn't scary, Dad.
01:04:43Really. It really wasn't scary.
01:04:46I know you are. That's because you're a big boy. Close your eyes right now, here.
01:04:55She's dead.
01:04:56A bad dream.
01:05:00What happened to you?
01:05:03Turned around, you were gone.
01:05:05No, I just didn't want to watch.
01:05:08Watch what?
01:05:10You care, you know.
01:05:15I wasn't.
01:05:19I was dancing.
01:05:22And I quit that when you left.
01:05:24You're doing that till one o'clock, huh?
01:05:26Because the reporter wanted to talk to me.
01:05:29She had all these questions about the testimony.
01:05:32Oh, all right.
01:05:35Stephen, don't do this to me.
01:05:39I have been waiting 14 months to face Bobby Lee Smith.
01:05:43I can't do it if you're not there.
01:05:48He started to pull up my jumper, and then I tried to hold it down, but I couldn't.
01:05:53And what happened next?
01:05:55Then he said he wasn't going to rape me because he didn't think I looked like I was worth it.
01:06:00And then what happened?
01:06:01Nancy, is the person who did these things to you in this courtroom today?
01:06:15Yes.
01:06:18Would you point him out?
01:06:19It's that man right there.
01:06:32May the record reflect that the witness has identified Bobby Lee Smith.
01:06:38Nancy,
01:06:39I'm sorry to have to ask you this.
01:06:45But at any time that you give Bobby Lee Smith permission to have sex with me...
01:06:49No.
01:06:54No.
01:07:02No.
01:07:02No.
01:07:02No.
01:07:09No.
01:07:22Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, have you reached a verdict?
01:07:25Yes, we have.
01:07:27If you have your verdict to the bailiff, please.
01:07:33Will the defendant please rise?
01:07:39We, the jury, find the defendant, Bobby Lee Smith, guilty of the crime of kidnapping in the first degree.
01:07:51Members of the jury, thank you.
01:07:52You are dismissed.
01:07:54This court now stands adjourned.
01:08:03Right.
01:08:04Right.
01:08:34You've just lost half our readers.
01:08:39I don't care.
01:08:41I really don't care.
01:08:43Because if we can't talk openly about rape in our newspaper,
01:08:47then I don't know what a newspaper is all about.
01:08:52Nancy Zegemeyer took a big risk.
01:08:55A really big one.
01:08:56And I will not meet her courage with our timidity.
01:09:04No.
01:09:06Here we go.
01:09:07I don't know if you're going to get them all.
01:09:08I don't know if you're going to get them all.
01:09:13No.
01:09:15Yeah.
01:09:16Oh.
01:09:18Yeah.
01:09:20I don't know if you're going to get them all.
01:09:22Okay.
01:09:22I don't know if you're going to get them all righty.
01:09:24Go.
01:09:25Go.
01:09:26Go.
01:09:28Go.
01:09:28Go.
01:09:29Go.
01:09:31Go.
01:09:39Go.
01:09:39Go.
01:09:40Go.
01:09:43Go.
01:09:44Go.
01:09:44Go.
01:09:45Go.
01:09:45Go.
01:09:45Ooh.
01:09:47Go.
01:09:48Go.
01:09:48Go.
01:09:48Go.
01:09:49Go.
01:09:50It's starting.
01:09:59It's starting.
01:10:20I don't care if it did happen 15 years ago, you're still a rape victim.
01:10:31Somebody left this coffee cake on the porch.
01:10:34Well, you take care.
01:10:36Okay, bye.
01:10:39The phone has not stopped ringing in four days.
01:10:43I must have taken over a hundred phone calls.
01:10:46Good or bad?
01:10:48Great.
01:10:49I mean, these women are thanking me for coming forward.
01:10:53Oh, my God.
01:10:56Hello?
01:10:58Hello, Phil.
01:11:01Hi, Phil. I'm glad to be here.
01:11:04I'm very happy to be here.
01:11:07How are things with you and Marlon?
01:11:10Well, they told me to dress like a midwestern housewife.
01:11:15The only ones I know wear t-shirts and jeans.
01:11:17Let's quit fooling each other.
01:11:19What are you talking about?
01:11:21You don't want to be here in this house with me.
01:11:26You know, it looks like when you ran away that last time with that man from Arkansas.
01:11:35Are you leaving us again? For what?
01:11:38There are a lot of rape victims out there who need help.
01:11:41And they're asking for me.
01:11:43Who the hell appointed you to be God's gift to rape victims?
01:11:47This is the first time in my life that I can do something useful.
01:11:52You know, it sounds like you're happy you got raped.
01:11:57Stephen.
01:11:59Yeah, it's just another way to show off for Nancy.
01:12:04Just like dancing on the table. It's just like that.
01:12:07You are the one that told me that I should go to the newspaper, that I was strong, that I could help other people.
01:12:13That's right.
01:12:14And then when the articles came out and when the trial was over, we were gonna see if we could get this straightened out between us.
01:12:22You said, you hang in there, Stephen.
01:12:25So I did. I hung in.
01:12:26But something else has come up, I guess.
01:12:30This damn TV thing.
01:12:33Nancy, you don't want me.
01:12:35You want a national audience.
01:12:38You're just mad because I'm taking control of my life and you can't stand it.
01:12:43But then you just tell me what I'm supposed to do.
01:12:46Do I just wave hi?
01:12:48When you're on the tube and the kids are pulling each other's hair out?
01:12:51I think your priorities stink.
01:12:55And since I'm not one of them, I don't intend to burden you with my presence any more than is necessary.
01:13:00What's happening?
01:13:01Hey, I've had it with you.
01:13:06Don't you expect me to be here when you come back.
01:13:10Here.
01:13:11That came from Detective Roth yesterday.
01:13:15Your limo is here.
01:13:21You.
01:13:22You.
01:13:23Tremendo.
01:13:27You.
01:13:28You.
01:13:29You.
01:13:30You.
01:13:31You.
01:13:32You.
01:13:33You.
01:13:38You.
01:13:40You.
01:13:41Dear Mrs. Ziegenmayer,
01:13:56I simply wanted to tell you what a very brave young woman you are,
01:13:59and that what you have done by telling of all the horrors
01:14:02is to help others not be afraid to take their story.
01:14:04A wave of emotions has filled me since first having read the register this morning.
01:14:08I am a 31-year-old single male with only a high school education.
01:14:12Dear Mrs. Ziegenmayer,
01:14:13I am the survivor of childhood incest,
01:14:17and each attack by my father was like a rape.
01:14:21You are an inspiration.
01:14:23Dear Nancy,
01:14:23I was raped when I was 9 years old by a stranger in my neighborhood.
01:14:28It was a bright, sunny summer day,
01:14:30and this young man lured me into the woods near my home and threatened to kill me.
01:14:33Dear Mrs. Ziegenmayer,
01:14:35I am a rape victim.
01:14:36I was beaten beyond recognition when someone broke into my home.
01:14:41I share with you as a sister
01:14:43Nancy Ziegenmayer,
01:14:44how I was treated.
01:14:45Forty years ago,
01:14:45I was a victim of childhood sexual abuse.
01:14:49I still sleep with a gun under my pillow.
01:14:50Dear Mrs. Ziegenmayer,
01:14:51I was raped two years ago.
01:14:54I, like you, have children.
01:14:56I write to congratulate you for your courage.
01:14:58Dear Nancy,
01:14:58I wish I could have her son.
01:14:59As the father of a 15-year-old who was raped last summer,
01:15:02I'm writing to see how frustrated I am with the legal system.
01:15:04I read your story in the register.
01:15:06When he raped me,
01:15:07Nancy,
01:15:08he murdered my soul.
01:15:09I'm a 60-year-old farmer.
01:15:11I trust your sharing will bring blessing to many
01:15:14and occasion your continual healing.
01:15:16May you know God's healing hand.
01:15:16Thank you for your courage.
01:15:17In Jesus' name,
01:15:19I pray for you.
01:15:19My thoughts are with you all.
01:15:20You are a role model for me.
01:15:21Your bravery has inspired us all.
01:15:23All that we all love.
01:15:24Landville, Pennsylvania,
01:15:25Collingswood,
01:15:26New York,
01:15:26Ashland,
01:15:27Oregon,
01:15:27Vestabi Hills,
01:15:28Alabama,
01:15:28Natchitas,
01:15:29Louisiana,
01:15:29Flagstaff,
01:15:30Arizona,
01:15:30Washtar,
01:15:30Iowa,
01:15:31Fort Wayne,
01:15:31Indiana,
01:15:31Allen,
01:15:32Oklahoma,
01:15:32Mount Research,
01:15:33Georgia,
01:15:33Amarillo,
01:15:34Texas.
01:15:45What do you want?
01:15:46I saw Nancy on television.
01:15:51I read the article when it came out.
01:15:55I got to get to work.
01:15:57I just want you to know I think it's a story that needs to be told and I think Nancy's right to tell it.
01:16:04But you're the one that's being left behind, huh?
01:16:07You're suffering for it, I can see it.
01:16:08Yeah, well, I'll live in it.
01:16:13Steven, don't be like me.
01:16:14Don't bury your troubles.
01:16:17Our family's never been much for talking things out.
01:16:21I guess I got that from my dad, but there's some things that need to be said out loud to each other.
01:16:30I'm just sorry that they never were.
01:16:34Why is that, Mom?
01:16:37It always just gives you a bellyache to talk about things.
01:16:41That's not as bad as the ache in your soul that lasts for years.
01:16:44Years.
01:16:54Now we're back with Nancy Zygmunt.
01:16:58Well, Nancy, you had big news today.
01:17:00Yes, um, the sentence was handed down in my case.
01:17:06Bobby Lee Smith was sentenced to life imprisonment without parole.
01:17:09Well, it is no reason to applaud.
01:17:20Bobby's children will grow up without their father.
01:17:25I pray for a future where all children can grow up without the devastating effects of sexual abuse.
01:17:39Ladies and gentlemen, Nancy Zygmunt, wife and mother of three.
01:17:50And remember, tonight at City Hall, a women take back the night rally.
01:17:57Hope to see you all there.
01:17:58We'll be back.
01:18:25Hello?
01:18:30Hello?
01:18:38Hello?
01:19:13There's a full moon up and rising...
01:19:17Hey!
01:19:18Hi, guys!
01:19:20Oh, I miss you so much!
01:19:23Oh, I miss you so much!
01:19:27Hey, sissy!
01:19:28Hey, when did you start riding that tree?
01:19:31About five years ago.
01:19:34Oh, really?
01:19:35Is that true?
01:19:37Where's your daddy?
01:19:40Over there in the shed.
01:19:43Okay.
01:19:44Go ahead.
01:19:46Hi, guys!
01:19:48I can...
01:19:50I'm up on the swing side.
01:19:52If you guys...
01:19:53If you guys try to keep me...
01:19:55Darling, tonight I am...
01:19:57Ow!
01:19:58This dog...
01:19:59What are you doing back?
01:20:01I cut the door short.
01:20:03I couldn't stand it.
01:20:06I mean, there I am acting like I'm this big expert telling everybody how to be better.
01:20:12And inside I know I'm not better.
01:20:15It keeps coming back.
01:20:17I know that's what I was running away from.
01:20:21Well, as far as I'm concerned, I don't make any difference.
01:20:24Steven, I know that I have a long way to go.
01:20:29But I think it helps to look in the right place.
01:20:34I think that the work that I'm doing is really important.
01:20:39But I also know I need to be here with you and the kids.
01:20:44I know that now.
01:20:51Where are you going?
01:20:53You need to be here now until you need to be somewhere else.
01:20:57Let's go.
01:20:58Let's go.
01:20:59Let's go.
01:21:00Let's go.
01:21:01Let's go.
01:21:02Let's go.
01:21:03Let's go.
01:21:04Let's go.
01:21:05Let's go.
01:21:06Okay.
01:21:07Let's go.
01:21:08Let's go.
01:21:09Let's go.
01:21:10Let's go.
01:21:11Let's go.
01:21:12For the longest time, I felt that I had nothing.
01:21:17That I was nothing.
01:21:20Not that Bobby Lee Smith had stripped that all away from me.
01:21:26Now I know he couldn't do that.
01:21:31I'm taking back my life, Steven.
01:21:35And you're part of it.
01:21:38I never know what you're thinking.
01:21:43I need to know.
01:21:48When you said that I was running away, you were right.
01:21:54But I need you to see that I am here now.
01:21:59Can you see that?
01:22:04Or are you just too ashamed?
01:22:07I'm not ashamed.
01:22:09Yeah, you are.
01:22:11Just like everybody else, you think because I was sleeping around that I deserved it.
01:22:16I'm not ashamed and I'm not ignorant.
01:22:19When you were sleeping around, you were giving it away.
01:22:22When you were raped, it was taken from you and I know the difference.
01:22:26So what is it then?
01:22:27Is it just because you think that I'm a bad person?
01:22:29It's because I'm...
01:22:30Because it hurts.
01:22:31Stephen.
01:22:32What?
01:22:33It hurts me.
01:22:34See you with another man.
01:22:35See you dancing on the table for another man.
01:22:39I don't understand why you need that.
01:22:40Because I love you.
01:22:41Anyway, I do.
01:22:44Thanks.
01:22:45Thanks.
01:22:46Thanks.
01:22:47Thanks.
01:22:48Thanks.
01:22:49Let's go inside.
01:23:14Let's go inside.
01:23:17There's so much to talk about.
01:23:47There's so much to talk about.
01:24:17There's so much to talk about.
01:24:47There's so much to talk about.
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