Legally, that distinction meant the state could not charge attempted murder.

To the child on that driveway, the distinction meant nothing at all.

In the days after, Samantha worked hard to get out in front of the story.

Her attorney issued a statement calling it a misunderstood family discipline exercise that had gone too far.

The second statement claimed I’d used military technology to alter the security footage.

The third claimed she’d been frozen in fear of her mother and forced to film against her will.