I Didn’t Get Involved–Until The Murder Trial

                                                    By Cheryl A. Schwartz

     Her frantic screams begging for him to stop sounded muffled, as if through
a pillow. What seemed like furniture being thrown against the wall jarred the
floor under my feet. It felt like a small earthquake.

My friend and I looked up at each other for a moment during the commotion,
then without a word focused back on the work we were doing at her dining room
table in the condo next door.

Thirty minutes into the screaming and thundering upheaval my friend and I
met eyes again, “This happens over there all the time,” she said.

After an hour I couldn’t stand it anymore. “Do you know who lives there?”
“Does anyone ever call the police?” “Shouldn’t we do something?”

 

“No.”

I knocked over my chair tripping to my friend’s front door, ran out and
started to knock on the fighting neighbors’ door. I stopped. Suddenly I began
assessing possible danger to me — this wasn’t my space — I didn’t know who or
what was behind that door.

Whispering to my friend back in her living room I told her I had never
before shied away from getting involved when lives were at stake. But this one
confused me terribly. I felt I should be doing something to intervene but
decided not to based on my friend’s assessment that they were always fighting
next door. Ninety minutes of ferocious battle had finally quieted. I went
home.

The next day my friend called. “Guess who’s dead?”

The husband was charged with the murder of his wife. He beat and strangled
her to death, dragged her bloody, broken body up stairs to the bathroom, washed
her in the tub, re-dressed her in clean clothes, then shoved her body back down
the staircase where it landed in a heap on the living room floor.

My God! I had heard her being murdered! The woman had been screaming for
her life! 

I phoned the district attorney, told her what I knew, and became a witness
for the prosecution.     

 

Tears dripped down my face as I spoke from the witness stand. I starred
straight in the eyes of the murderer during my entire testimony. He was found
guilty.

The names of the people involved in this domestic abuse case aren’t
important, except for the victim. She had a name. It was Catherine.

# # #

Cheryl A. Schwartz, aka aeropolowoman, is a former print and broadcast
journalist from Los Angeles. She is now a blogging journalist from Clearwater,
Florida. Contact her at: http:/twitter.com/direct_message/create/aeropolowoman,  or  cheryl.schwartz@alumni.uc.edu

13, unlucky for some & choosing your subject matter

I didn’t want to let OJ’s sentencing pass without comment. Nine years non parole doesn’t sound like much when you consider what he’s actually guilty of but it’s a lot better than nothing. I hope this sentence brings the Brown and Goldman families some peace.

________________________

Back to writing. I want to talk about choosing your subject matter. Specifically, do you choose it or does it choose you? Let me explain.

I had no interest or knowledge of intimate partner homicide until I watched a true crime series which followed the trial of a man convicted of it. What’s more, I didn’t even mean to watch the series. I was channel surfing really late one night and tuned in half way through the second episode. I was so struck by what I saw that I went out and bought the DVD box set the next day. Watching the series led me to writing to the convicted man which lead me to researching the topic. Since then I’ve joined the Domestic Violence Coalition Committee (a group which advocates domestic homicide investigation reform), written an information booklet for the DVCC and published a magazine article highlighting the two faces of intimate homicide.  I can trace it all back to that night in January 2005 when I flicked over to SBS.

My point is, if someone would’ve asked what I’d like to write about, I wouldn’t have said domestic/intimate partner homicide.  Bottom line though, the subject matter resonated with me.  In fact, I couldn’t leave it alone, I needed to know more.

With the holiday season around the corner and the possibility of winding down, can I suggest that you tune in to what lights your creative fire?  Pay attention to whom and what you are fascinated by.  Then, be brave and go with it.  Heck, my family and friends thought I was crazy to become pen pals with a convicted murderer (I can hear you agreeing with them) but I don’t regret it at all.  In fact, it’s been such an enlightening experience.  All I’m saying is…follow your fascination because it could be your next big idea trying desperately to get your attention.

What’s the time Mr Wolf?

I’m not sure if children in other countries play the game called “What’s the time Mr Wolf?”  but the kids in my class love it.  http://www.gameskidsplay.net/GAMES/chasing_games/wolf.htm

 

So, what is the time I hear you ask?  Well, it’s almost dinner time for Orenthal James Simpson. 

In lead up to O.J.’s sentencing hearing, setdown for 5 December, it’s also time to remember Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman.  It isn’t necessary to go into the broader details of the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman, we all know how they died and who killed them.  However, just in case time has dulled your memory or your passion for justice, let me remind you that Nicole was stabbed so many times and with such ferocity that she was almost decapitated.  Horrifying but true.

Lets also remember that the man responsible for these murders has not only skipped around scott free, but he has enjoyed a high level of celebrity and lived a life of luxury that most innocent, upstanding citizens never experience.  He has also refused to pay damages awarded to the Brown and Goldman families.  Most disturbing of all, O.J. Simpson has had access to the children whose mother he murdered.

It has taken thirteen years for O.J. to be convicted of anything that could attract serious jail time.  Let’s hope the sentence makes it worth the wait.

Sorry to be so blunt but…

In the event you can’t leave the abuser right away or you’ve tried and found that you weren’t (financially or otherwise) ready, you need to minimize your risk of death.  I’m sorry to be so blunt but the reality is that American women are killed by intimate partners more often than by anyone else.  In fact, intimate partner homicide is the leading cause of death in African American women aged 15-45 and it accounts for 40% or 50% of all female homicides.  Shocking but absolutely true.

The statistics in Australia are not good either.  There is on average more than one domestic homicide in Australia per week and based on recent events, I suspect the statistics will be higher for 2008.

So, you’re stuck (temporarily) in an abusive relationship until you get your new life organized.  You need to know which abusive traits are strong predictors to homicide.

* Abuse during pregnancy is a major red flag.  Being abused during pregnancy increases a woman’s risk of intimate partner homicide by nine times.  Read that again, nine times – remember Laci Peterson?  So, no matter what, if your partner is physically or emotionally abusive during your pregnancy, take immediate action.

* Take death threats seriously.  Men who murder their wives often threaten to do so before they do it.

* Remove or hide all guns and ammunition from the home.

* Report domestic violence. It’s understandable to be concerned that reporting domestic violence to the police is going to make the situation at home worse.  However, the incidence of domestic homicide is lower in relationships where the abuser has been charged with the crime.

* Keep your plans (to leave) a secret and leave when the abuser is not home.  Take extra special care for the first 12 months after leaving.  Your risk is heightened during this time especially when the abuser is really controlling (aren’t they all?)

* Reach out.  As well as reporting the abuse, you can reach out to family, friends and local domestic violence agencies.

I want to finish this post by saying that there are a lot of people who care about women who live in a domestic nightmare.   Don’t suffer alone or in silence.

More on Why Battered Women Don’t Leave

I think Narelle’s post and a number of the comments have hit the nail on the head.  Many battered women don’t leave due to economic factors.  Maybe they don’t have a job, and they’ve got kids.  It’s not that they want to be abused. They’re flat out scared. The abuser has threatened their lives, their children’s lives, their families’ lives. 

 Which brings us to the issue of shelters, which are meant to help with all of this.  Women can go to a shelter and be safe, bring their kids and keep them safe, live there for a bit and find a job and a new apartment.  Except that there aren’t enough shelters. 

   In my home state of Colorado, the Colorado Coalition against Domestic Violence reports that they turned away 5,886 people in 2006 due to a lack of capacity. That was just in my state. How is yours doing?

CCADV further reports a need for more long term shelter. Really?

Think about this: your husband has abused you. You leave, in a hurry with the kids and what clothes you can grab up and call a shelter because he will find you at your Mom’s house and you’re scared for Mom.  You figure you’re lucky.  You’ve got a job; you can support yourself and the kids.  And the shelter has room for you all so you have time to find a new apartment.

Maybe you’ve forgotten your contact lens case, your son’s spelling homework, maybe you’ve forgotten your daughter’s asthma medicine. But you get to a shelter and you’re safe. But you have no money and the shelter is noisy, overcrowded and you can only stay 30 days or maybe six weeks.

During that time, your husband shows up at the kids’ school and tries to take them. Luckily you’ve alerted the principal, but you realize he can catch them anywhere. You need to change the kids’ school. Not only that. He shows up in the parking lot of your job and makes a scene. Your co-workers intervene but you can’t feel safe. And the boss sure didn’t like it.  All of a sudden, you need a new job.

Of course, you have no furniture, blankets, or even cooking utensils. You had to leave all of that behind. So you have to remake your whole life in 30 days or maybe six weeks.  Plus all the apartments want first and last month’s rent plus a deposit.  You don’t have that kind of money and time is running out.  Can you do it?

Maybe he promises he’ll stop. Maybe he says he’ll go to counseling. Maybe the shelter is overcrowded, noisy. The kids can’t sleep at night and cry to go home.
Do you believe him. Is it worth it to go home, try to get a plan and some money and do this again? What do you do? What do you do?

Fatality Review Teams

Before I step down from my soapbox, I need to say that it is my firm belief that Australia needs to implement Domestic Violence Fatality Review Teams (DVFRTs).

DVFRTs have been in place in most US states since the 90’s. The teams undertake a full review of domestic fatalities in terms of services requested and provided to the victims. Services such as Department of Community Services, AVO’s and Police intervention. They analyse gaps in policies and procedures which may have limited a service provider’s ability to assist or protect a victim. DVFRTs identify obstacles victims encounter when attempting to access support such as geographic, financial and/or cultural restrictions.

The fact that we don’t have DFVRTs is both a social and a political issue. These teams need to be on each state’s political and social agenda. I believe that community awareness is a great place to start. In the same way that public outcry at the Government’s initial refusal to fund the vaccine for cervical cancer caused them a back flip, we need to put the squeeze on about DVFRT’s. Given that Australia’s domestic homicide rate has remained at more than 1 fatality per week for the last decade and DVFRTs would be relatively inexpensive to fund, we all need to start asking our government officials why they aren’t being fast tracked.

For more information on DVFRTs, read Nadia David’s paper on the Domestic Violence Clearing House website.

What’s in a name?

If you’ve read my introduction, you’ll know that my article about domestic homicide is due to be published in an Australian magazine in October.  That being the case, it won’t surprise you that this post is about the same topic.

In recent months, I’ve found it impossible to ignore the fact that three very high profile US domestic homicide cases (two prosecuted, one ‘suspected’) have involved the family name of Peterson. 

First, on 9 December 2001, Kathleen Peterson was found dead at the bottom of a staircase in her Durham county home.  Her husband, Michael Peterson, was the only person home at the time of Kathleen’s death and hence became the prime suspect.  Michael Peterson was charged.  During the investigation, police discovered that Elizabeth Rathliff, Peterson’s neighbor and friend, had been found dead in 1985 under similar circumtances.   Her body was exhumed and used as evidence for the prosecution.  In October 2003, Peterson was found guilty of murdering Kathleen and sentenced to life in the Nash Correctional Institution.  Michael maintains his innocence and is appealing the decision.

Then almost a year later, on Christmas Eve 2002, Lacey Peterson and her unborn child died at the hands of her husband, Scott.  Scott Peterson is currently on death row in San Quentin State Prison.  He continues to protest his innocence and is also appealing his conviction.

 

23 year old Stacy Peterson was last heard from at around 10am Sunday 28 October 2007.    Many suspect Stacy’s police sargeant husband, Drew Peterson, of being involved in her disappearance.  Drew’s second wife, Kathleen, was found dead in her bathtub after her marriage to Drew ended.  At the time, the death was not considered suspicious.  Stacy’s disappearance has inspired prosecutors to take a second look at Kathleen’s death.  Not surprisingly, Drew Peterson denies any involvement in either incident.  I’m looking forward to the truth emerging about this latest Peterson case.  The only thing more tragic than two women suffering the same fate is the partner getting away with it. 

What separates these three cases is that the two earlier murders fall into the category of “no history of domestic violence”.    This typically means that the motive was to get rid of the women.  However there was a definite history of domestic violence in his marriage to Stacy and Kathleen.   When a history of domestic violence is present, the motive if usually possession and control.  Some abusers will do anything to stop their wives from leaving – even kill them.

Lets all keep these women in our hearts tonight as we snuggle into bed with our partners.