When Brittani Marcellemerged from a medically induced comain late 2008,having been brutally beaten with a shovel in her homein Albuquerque, New Mexico, she found that she could not communicate.
The attack had left her blind in one eye and deaf in one ear. Like a newborn, she had to relearn how to walk and talk — a rehabilitation process that included approximately 20 surgeries (and counting).
Marcell is opening up about her road to healing, and justice, on Friday night’s episode ofDateline, on NBC. An exclusive preview is above.
“I mean, after everything that happened, you’re kinda like a toddler,” she recalls in the clip of those early days after waking up some two weeks following her assault. “You don’t understand the language that you and I are speaking today.”
“And then, when I went to rehab, I was more of like a teenager, a young teenager,” Marcell continues. “And as time went on, I started becoming more like — a stronger teenager, knowing what to do.”
What remained lost to Marcell, however, were her memories of her time in high school, which she had been on the verge of finishing as a senior. Then, on Sept. 11, 2008, she was attacked.
Though Marcell’s mother inadvertently walked in during part of the beating, calling 911, the assailant fled,according to theAlbuquerque Journal. Marcell had no memory of what happened to her, and authorities had few fruitful avenues to pursue.
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A change came in 2016. First Marcell recalled a man with whom she was acquainted while working at the mall. Then, according to theJournal, a name came to her: Justin Hansen.
According to ABC News,Marcell underwent hypnotherapy, after which memories began to return.
Her revelations reportedly led to DNA testing that showed a drop of Hansen’s blood was at the scene of Marcell’s assault. Prosecutors said a witness reportedly further confirmed having seen Marcell speak with Hansen at the mall where she worked. Hewas indicted in 2017.
In July, he was sentenced to 18 years in prison, the maximum possible penalty,according to theJournal.
Still, Hansen protests that he is innocent. (A no-contest plea essentially has the same effect as a guilty plea, but the defendant does not admit the accusations against them.)
Though he apologized to the Marcell family at his sentencing without discussing his alleged responsibility, theJournalreports, Hansen also asked the judge to think of the effect his prison sentence would have on his young children.
After the July hearing, Marcell’s sister Alicia reportedly said the family could now move forward and focus on healing. Marcell says onDatelinethat, as she continues to recover, there is one thing she’d like to get back.
“I want my smile. That’s what I want, my smile. And [my mom is] like, ‘Well, most people don’t notice that.’ I’m like, ‘No. But I do every day.’ “
Datelineairs Friday (9 p.m. ET) on NBC.
source: people.com
