Victim of domestic assault speaks out as violent man now walks streets of MC

The following victim impact statement is being published with permission from Lisa Marie Rodberg, victim of domestic assault at the hands of Bryon Sletten of Mason City. Earlier this month, Sletten struck a deal with Cerro Gordo county prosecutors and was released from jail after agreeing to plead guilty to second offense domestic assault in exchange for time served in jail, fines, and a requirement to attend batterer’s education classes. Sletten served three months in jail.

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I haven’t said much publicly about this. Now that the judicial process is over, it’s time. For me, it is a sort of setting free. For others, it’s a reminder that the affects of physical violence continue long after the external wounds heal. After 20 months of claiming innocence and 24 hrs before trial, my attacker pled guilty to 2nd offense Domestic Assault w/Injury. This is my Victim Impact Statement that I read at sentencing. My hope is that it might help someone else. If you know someone that’s been hurt, just be there, especially after the bruises are gone. If you have been hurt, reach out, share the burden, it’s too much for one person to carry alone. This is my burden, the moment you read it, it belongs to you, too.

The most significant of my injuries caused severe pain in my right chest area. As a breast cancer survivor, who underwent bilateral mastectomies and 7 other reconstructive surgeries, injury or pain in the chest area always causes worry and fear of damage to implants or reconstructed muscle and tissue. After two ER visits, consultation with my reconstructive surgeon, an x-ray, and an ultrasound, it was determined that my chest pain was due to bruised ribs, muscle tear, and inflammation. Within 8 weeks, the scrapes, bruises, swelling, and pain were gone. I was fine… physically.

Emotionally, the past 20 months have been hell. I have regular appointments with psychiatrists and psychologists that have diagnosed me with PTSD. My symptoms include anxiety, panic attacks, hypervigilance, and nightmares. In the past, I enjoyed socializing and meeting new people. Now, I dread public places. I go absolutely nowhere alone. I am guarded and wary of the intentions of everyone around me. I carry mace with me at all times.
In the past, our doors were always unlocked for our family and friends to come and go as they pleased. Now, our doors (and windows) are locked at all times. Friends and family stop by less often because they have seen the distress that a simple knock on the door can cause. In the past, I owned no weapons. Now, canisters of mace, stun guns, and a firearm are strategically placed throughout our home. When you are attacked in your own home, there is no safe place.

In the past, I slept well. Now, I battle with relentless nightmares, reels of images and sound that make me relive the assault over and over and over again. After months of very little sleep, my inner strength weakened. Earlier this year, I began to believe that my only escape from the nightmares was to end my life. I was hospitalized because of it.

In my opinion, this “guilty plea” is merely a bargaining chip to gain favor of the court and a time served recommendation by the county, not a sincere, legitimate admission of guilt. I, the victim, have been suffering the consequences of this assault for the past 20 months and my life will be forever changed. 3-4 months of jail time served because of non-compliance with the court system does not seem fair or just. Therefore, I plead for justice through the maximum sentencing allowed by law.