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Posted on September 22, 2017 by in Testimonials

In Self Defense: The Maddox Case- The Emotional Toll

In Self Defense: The Maddox Case- The Emotional Toll

In this weeks video, Stephen talks about the emotional toll he experienced from his incident, and throughout the entire process.

CCW Safe is the first company to successfully defend a Murder I self defense case against a member involving a full trial.  In this case involving Stephen Maddox, the financial cost that was taken off the member and was fully paid for by CCW Safe, was over $300,000.  This burden removed from Stephen, our member, greatly help him and his family during this time, as he lost his job due to the incident.  Butt it did not remove the emotional and mental toll that took place over the nearly 2 year process from incident to trial.

Imagine yourself in a position where, number one, you have to defend your life with deadly force.  You are arrested, and have to explain to your wife and kids what happened, and that you won’t see them until you have a bail hearing, which is set for nearly a month away.  Even if it was set for that day, you would have to explain that you can’t see them until you pay $50,000 to a bail bondsman.  Then, as you are still in jail, get a notice from your family that you have been fired from your job because of the arrest.  Imagine the suffocating feeling as you realize the possibility that you may remain in jail for the rest of your life as the expenses mount.  $50k for bail, $100k for attorneys that you will have to pay in order to be released.  This is just the beginning.  

If you do get out of jail, you may have to wear an ankle bracelet and cannot leave your house until further notice.  You will most likely be interviewed more than once over the following weeks or months by investigators. You may be bombarded with media requests for interviews.  You will most likely see interviews on the news portraying you as a pre-meditated killer.  Maybe reckless, someone who over reacted, or perhaps someone who just didn’t care.  

Needless to say, you will be tested.  Relationships are the stress points in critical incidents, and they will most likely be tested.  Your relationship with your wife, with your kids.  Your neighbors, friends, and co workers.

The above example is exactly what happened to Stephen.  But, because he had a strong relationship at home, and the financial and emotional support he received from CCW Safe, Thomas Law, and others in his community, he was able to endure and make it through.

CCW Safe is proud of the fact that we were able to give Stephen the support he needed, and continue to give him support.  I personally try to call or text him on a weekly basis, because I know some of what he went through, and most likely will continue to go through.


Mike Darter

Co-Founder/CEO CCW Safe

Mike was a police officer in Oklahoma City from 1991-2001, and a federal contractor for the DOJ from 2001-2011. During his career, Mike investigated and testified in hundreds of violent crimes, including shootings, homicides, and other violent felony crimes.

Mike was involved in a shooting as a police officer and went through a lawsuit from that shooting. The lawsuit was later dismissed, but his experience is what led to the creation of CCW Safe.