AUGUSTA, Ga. — A Richmond County judge has dismissed all charges against Melissa Cui Domingo, the Augusta woman who shot her husband multiple times on New Year’s Eve in 2021, ruling that she acted in lawful self-defense after enduring years of documented abuse.
The ruling, issued on August 19, 2025 by Superior Court Judge Jesse Stone, grants Domingo immunity from prosecution and spares her from standing trial on serious charges including aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, and cruelty to children.
The Judge’s Ruling
In his decision, Judge Stone concluded that Domingo met the legal threshold to prove she acted out of reasonable fear for her life when she shot her husband, Hajir Talebzadeh, inside their home on Ramsgate Drive on December 31, 2021.
“The court finds that Melissa Domingo acted reasonably under the circumstances to prevent death or great bodily injury to herself,” Stone wrote in his detailed ruling.
The immunity decision effectively ends all criminal proceedings against Domingo in connection with the case.
Years of Abuse Documented
At the heart of the court’s decision was an extensive record of abuse Domingo reportedly endured throughout her marriage.
An expert witness, Dr. Marti Loring, a domestic violence specialist, testified that Domingo suffered from Battered Person Syndrome, PTSD, panic disorder, and Stockholm Syndrome. Dr. Loring’s testimony outlined a cycle of physical, psychological, and sexual abuse at the hands of Talebzadeh, painting a portrait of long-term trauma that shaped Domingo’s state of mind on the night of the shooting.
Family members also provided powerful testimony. Domingo’s brothers, Anthony and David Domingo, described Talebzadeh’s controlling and volatile behavior. Both men said they were in direct contact with Melissa on the night of the shooting and became so alarmed for her safety that each called 911.
One brother feared that Talebzadeh was on the verge of harming both Domingo and the couple’s young child.
The Incident
According to court records, the shooting occurred during a volatile confrontation inside the couple’s home. Domingo fired multiple shots, fatally wounding Talebzadeh. Prosecutors initially charged her with several serious offenses, including cruelty to children, since her child was present in the house during the shooting.
The case, however, shifted as more evidence of abuse and trauma came to light.
Implications of the Ruling
The dismissal marks a significant moment in Georgia’s handling of self-defense claims involving survivors of prolonged domestic violence. By granting immunity, the court recognized the psychological impact of abuse in shaping Domingo’s perception of immediate danger.
Advocates for domestic violence survivors say the ruling reinforces the importance of considering Battered Person Syndrome in self-defense cases.
What’s Next
With the charges dismissed, Domingo will not face a jury trial or potential prison time. Her attorneys described the ruling as a “just and fair outcome”, noting that the case illustrates how survivors of long-term abuse can reach a breaking point.
The ruling has also sparked renewed discussions among local advocates and legal experts about the intersection of domestic violence, mental health, and self-defense law.
For Domingo, the decision brings a legal resolution after nearly four years of uncertainty, though advocates say the emotional and psychological recovery from years of abuse will take far longer.
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