Sorry. I'm going to jump back to Dr. Phil, briefly.
The discrepancy in reporting the "night before argument" is bugging me a bit. I just want to understand the motivation to deny a real argument or fabricate an imaginary one. It is too big an event to chalk up to memory problems.
No matter how much I turn it over, I just can't see a reason for KH to deny an argument intentionally. I guess he could feel guilty about not disclosing the level of conflict in the home, after the fact, but it doesn't seem like an established pattern for him to deny any of the family dysfunction, at this stage. I just don't see how he benefits from denying this event.
I do think TH may have told this story as a way to build an alliance with DY. "See, we both have conflict and fidelity problems with KH, not eachother." She was forging a relationship with DY so that she could control the narrative about what was happening at home, rather than KH. I've known several masterful manipulators who lie to build these bonds, just so they can't exploit them later. Ultimately, they are not loyal to anyone, but they create the false bonds with everyone.
Spend a little time with middle-school-aged girls. It is a crash course in relational aggression of this sort. Thankfully, most outgrow it.
I also wonder if the fight was intentionally discussed to cast a little suspicion on KH, you know, give him a bit of the old Zenaida treatment. Maybe put out some evidence of his volatility the night before. It seems like a person who could plot and plan something this dark would do little information sharing that wasn't for a purpose. It is not very effective, but still, maybe it was just a plan B diversionary tactic.
This is an interesting article. I think I'm allowed to link to it. The research has been criticized a bit, but it raises some interesting ideas.
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog...e-stepparents-more-likely-kill-their-children