Sent.
This is the letter I just sent the supervisor of the state’s attorneys who spent 45 minutes telling me how it could easily have been me that abused and killed my dog Kirby that day. It is empowering to write this letter and send it.
I wish you peace, Kathy Morrissey.
Letter to a Failed System
Ms. Morrissey,
There’s a good chance you haven’t thought about our meeting since we met several months ago, but it is something that I am going to remember for the rest of my life. I have been fighting for justice for my dogs and myself and looked to you, the system that was established to provide that justice, and you traumatized me even further. You spent 45 minutes telling me how the day that my dog Kirby was killed could easily have been my fault. Ms. Morrissey, I am terribly sorry that you look at things that way because that is a truly sad mindset to have. As the supervisor of the state’s attorneys, it is sinful that you would blame a victim, let alone one who has suffered such horror and trauma at the hands of a man you are letting walk free.
Ever since my story came out in the news, many other victims of Mathew have come forward. He has abused some of their dogs too. You told me that it hurt my case that Mathew had not been arrested for domestic violence-related charges in eight years. Ms. Morrissey, the irony of that is you are perpetuating that problem.
You told me that the real victim here is Kirby. When I responded that people like Mathew Berry abuse pets to abuse their human victims, you told me, “in some cases.” Ms. Morrissey, as the supervisor of the state’s attorneys, I am concerned that you have that misguided viewpoint. Mathew abused and killed my dogs to abuse me, and I reject your sentiments.
I am suing Mathew Berry for abusing, torturing, and killing both of my dogs as well as abusing me. My attorney, as has every attorney and judge who has seen this case, has told me repeatedly that she has never seen a case as egregious as this before. She is shocked that you declined to press charges against him. My attorney has seen my case from the inside out. I’ll throw you a bone, Ms. Morrissey. When my attorney first took my case, she wondered why I didn’t do anything to stop Mathew, especially that day with Kirby. And then I sent her a report of every instance of abuse Mathew committed against me, and she is shocked that I am alive today because Mathew absolutely was going to kill me next.
We had court yesterday for the lawsuit. Mathew showed up and was his usual lying self. And I say that as a fact. The judge very clearly did not like him and could see right through every lie he spewed. It is so unfortunate for you that you decided to side with Mathew Berry and say that my story is not reliable, or sorry that I am “not a credible witness.” In fact, you told me that cross-examination would be a nightmare and that the entire case rested on my testimony. Ms. Morrissey, that’s right. My testimony is the truth.
I have shared my story with thousands of people and I have gotten an overwhelming response of shock, anger, and disgust that you not only declined to press charges against Mathew Berry, but victim blamed me in the process.
Ms. Morrissey, my story has already been in the news. I will continue to share it for the rest of my life. And you are a part of my story for failing me, for failing my dog Kirby who suffer immensely at the hands of Mathew Berry, and blaming me in the process.
I understand, but also don’t understand, the legal side where your views come from, or whatever explanations you gave me are based on. It is a rightful shame that you are part of the broken and corrupt system. You had the chance to fight for justice, and instead you sided with the criminal and blamed the victim. And for that, I feel sorry for you.
Sincerely,
Sarah Manos
Sarah's Story 