Location: Alameda County California.

I had a very close friend, let's call her Sally.

Sally and I were very close for about 6 years. Sadly, about two years ago, Sally entered a very toxic relationship with another woman who was awful. I don't want to go to into the details, but I've always felt Sally's partner, let's call her Melanie was very controlling and abusive to Sally. Sally's life really turned bad after Melanie got involved, she became homeless trying to support her.

Sadly I had to cut Sally off, because she kept trying to get resources from me, to then intern give them to Melanie. I didn't want to enable her, and it was really emotionally exhausting. So I told Sally Melanie was bad for her and cut her off. At one point I know Melanie went to jail for domestic abuse against Sally. Sally told me it was because Melanie would take her car keys and other stuff and wouldn't let he leave. Melanie didn't spend much time in jail and immediately Sally went back to her. This happened about a year ago. Sally is very devoted to Melanie and won't leave.

A mutual friend recently told me that Sally is in the hospital and Melanie is in Jail. Melanie beat Sally pretty bad, she has a concussion, a broken nose, and multiple broken ribs. She's pretty badly beaten. Melanie is apparently arguing it was self defense? I don't really know the situation as I long ago cut Sally off. Sally is not a violent person.

What I do know, is that Sally is pretty loyal, and will likely return to Melanie after she is released from the hospital. I honestly have long thought it's only a matter of time before Melanie kills her. I don't have much faith that Sally will hit bottom and leave Melanie. It's really sad but I can't really do anything.

My only hope is that Melanie will stay in Jail. Sally has said that Melanie's family has money and that they will hire great attorneys to keep her out of jail. My only hope is that the courts realize Melanie is a dangerous person and keep her in jail for a while. Maybe then Sally will eventually break her bond, or at the very least Melanie won't be able to kill her. But I don't have much faith.

Please note I won't be resuming my friendship with Sally, I honestly can't. She's a totally different person and I just can't watch people destroy themselves. Also she's not really my friend anymore and just wanted to use me so she can further give more to Melanie. But I still don't want Sally to die. I was asking chatgpt and it thinks there's a chance the judge will see the previous domestic violence arrest and take Sally's severe injuries seriously and put her in jail for 3-5 years. But I don't have much faith in the legal system. I honestly believe unless Melanie is in jail she will eventually kill Sally. Sally won't press charges.

Do you all think there's any hope that Melanie will go to jail? It's the only way Sally will stay alive. I can't really do anything to help, but I'm trying to see if there's hope or not or if I should just accept my former friend is pretty much doomed.