How many more stalking victims must die?

This weekend's murder of Loni Amber Turner at the hands of her suicidal ex-boyfriend, Erin Ross, highlights a couple of very serious concerns that CourtWatch has with the justice system.

We've previously featured our concerns about judges who set hearings without providing temporary injunctions while the parties await their day in court (which are scheduled 2 weeks after the petition is filed). See our blog about the Alissa Blanton murder earlier this year. So I won't rehash that issue.

The second concern we have is that many judges and law enforcement personnel just don't "get" how lethal stalking behavior can be. Alissa Blanton had not been in a romatic relationship with her stalker. Perhaps the judge felt she wasn't really at risk of violence. Perhaps he just didn't want to read the 70+ pages of her petition. As we now know, her stalker/murderer, Roger Troy, was extremely lethal. But her death should have been a wake up call to every judge in this State to review what the Florida Statutes say about stalking.

From what has been reported in the media, it would appear as though Ms. Turner was being stalked by her ex-boyfriend. As reported in the Sentinel,

Loni Amber Turner was afraid. An ex-boyfriend she'd met online wouldn't leave her alone. He sent her text messages. He watched her apartment. He showed up at the trade school where she was a student. "I am really afraid to come out of the apartment, …" she wrote in a domestic violence petition last week.

Even though the judge set a hearing for September 3rd, her request for a temporary injunction was denied, mostly likely because she did not state that there had been any acts or overt threats of violence. Or perhaps it was because she had tried to remain friendly with Mr. Ross after the relationship was officially over.

If stalkers aren't stopped, their behavior can escalate and become violent. Ms. Turner's effort to stop her tormentor was not taken as seriously as it should have been. Circuit Judge William A. Parsons said that Turner had failed to prove she was in danger. By issuing a summons, without a temporary injunction at the same time, the judge put her at a higher risk for victimization.

What Judge Parsons tragically did not seem to understand is that Mr. Ross' behavior was indeed dangerous, even though he did not physically assault Ms Turner.

Seventy-five percent (75%) of fatalities occur when the relationship is in the process of ending or has recently ended. By putting Mr. Ross on notice that his victim wanted him to stay away from her, and by not issuing a court order telling him to stay away, Judge Parsons' Order Setting Hearing (OSH) may have been the straw that broke the proverbial camel's back in this situation.

OK, I know, I said I wouldn't rehash the OSH issue. I just couldn't stop myself.

The US Department of Justice Stalking Victimization Study (Jan 2009) estimated that 3.4 million persons were victims of stalking during a 12 month period. Stalking is a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to feel fear. Individually, the acts that were measured are not criminal in nature. But when done repeatedly and collectively, they may cause the victim to fear for his or her safety. The behaviors measured in the study are:

• making unwanted phone calls
• sending unsolicited or unwanted letters or emails
• following or spying on the victim
• showing up at places without a legitimate reason
• waiting at places for the victim
• leaving unwanted items, presents or flowers
• posting information or spreading rumors about the victim on the internet, in a public place, or by word of mouth

From the following chart, it looks like the criminal justice system has a lot to do in order to be perceived as helpful to victims of stalking:

The number of cases where criminal charges were not filed is disgraceful:

Stalking is a potentially lethal crime. It's time for EVERY member of law enforcement (cops, prosecutors and judges) to treat it seriously.

To everyone in law enforcement: If Alissa Blanton's death didn't wake you up, Loni Amber Turner's death certainly should.

Stalking Resources available online.

Domestic Violence doesn't just happen at home

The murder of Anicia Yankton earlier this month while she was at her place of employment is a grim reminder that domestic violence doesn't just happen at home. Anicia's estranged husband, Andreau Yankton, waited behind other shoppers at her checkout line at Publix and reportedly shot her in the face. When confronted in the parking lot, he turned the gun on himself and committed suicide.

Two previous wives had filed injunctions against Mr. Yankton in 1996 and 2002.

It makes me wonder how many people in the past might have witnessed an altercation between Mr. Yankton and one of these women.

It makes me think about what we as average citizens could/should do if we happen to witness what appears to be an abusive/violent altercation in public. I think that when confronted with a situation, most people are at a loss to know how to respond. But if we prepare ourselves ahead of time, we might be able to assist law enforcement and the courts in holding a perpetrator accountable for their behavior.

Here are some suggestions.

1. Make sure anything you do doesn't jeopardize your safety. Violent people sometimes attack those who attempt to render aid to the victim.
2. Call law enforcement and remain at a safe distance until they arrive. Keep an eye on the situation if possible.
3. If the individuals are in a vehicle, get the tag number.
4. Provide your location to the dispatcher. Answer their questions. Describe what you see.
5. Take a picture (if practical) with your cell phone or other camera.
6. Some cell phones can also record audio. Capture any evidence of the assault if possible.
7. Provide a written statement to law enforcement after they have defused the situation.
8. Be available to the investigators and the prosecutor. Be willing to testify in court.

Prosecutors are using 911 recordings, victim & crime scene photos and the testimony of witnesses to prove an assault, even when the victim declines to assist in the prosecution. These "victimless" cases are resulting in convictions, as is evidenced by an earlier blog entry on the subject.

Stalking - it's not harmless

Yesterday's murder-suicide of Alissa Blanton at the hands of her stalker at the AT&T Call Center in Orlando is a grim reminder of how deadly someone's obsession can become.

It's also a wake-up call to employers about how necessary it is for them to have protocols in place for employees who are being victimized in this manner.

It is crucial that victims notify their neighbors, employers, childrens' schools, and any other places they frequent (their place of worship, their gym, etc) of their situation. If more people know about the perpetrator - recognize him/her and their vehicle - and are willing to call law enforcement, the chances are better that the criminal justice system will be able to intervene.

Stalking victims usually know their perpetrator.  Whether they were ever romantically involved with their victim or not should not minimize the perpetrator's behavior in how we treat the case.

Stalking is not harmless.

For more information about stalking, visit the National Stalking Awareness Month website.   

To view WKMG's coverage of the story, click here.

For other stalking cases we've blogged about, click here.

Domestic Violence Related Fatalities in 2009

The following people died in Orange & Seminole Counties last year in domestic violence related incidents.

Orange County: 16 victims + 9 suicides = 25 fatalities
1/16: Jerry Cisco
1/28: Loyta Sloley murder-suicide (James Clayton, perpetrator)
2/28: Ramisha Oliver
3/1: Lolitta Flores
3/27: Brianna Morges-Gress (age 4 months)
4/2: Felix Davila
4/6: Maria Estela Lopez-Soto
4/21: Derrick Curry (suicide)
5/10: Celeo Rosales murder-suicide (Hafeza Adam, perpetrator)
6/12: Keshan Parboo (suicide)
7/16: Svend Aage Ovesen III (suicide)
8/3: Alexander May (suicide by cop)
8/8: Roosevelt Bradley III (age 8 months)
8/11: Ashley Diaz (age 4 months)
8/17: Freddie Spears
9/1: Alexis Franco (suicide)
9/22: Diane Elizabeth Ward
11/6: Elba Ortiz murder-suicide (Ignacio Hernandez, perpetrator)
11/24: Sophia Chasteen
11/25: Palin Perez (suicide by cop)
12/17: Demetria Harp
12/21: Norvell Childs, Sr.

Seminole County: 8 victims + 6 suicides = 14 fatalities
1/27: Anthony Jesy Cabral (age 2)
4/5: Mitchell Moore murder-suicide (Marie Moore, perpetrator)
6/13: Cynthia Wood, Aubrey Wood (age 10), Dillon Wood (age 12) murder-suicide (John Dillon Wood, perpetrator)
6/27: Kenneth Keefer (suicide)
7/4: Gary Adams (suicide)
8/2: Melanie Lee
9/28: Janessa Sandoval (age 2)
10/25: Jerry Wesley Camp (suicide by cop)
12/16: Jeanette Harper murder-suicide (Harry Harper, perpetrator)

Click here for more details on the dispositions of these cases as well as a listing of the fatalities from 2007 and 2008.

Please remember these people and the loved ones they've left behind. Because 2010 will likely be anything but a happy new year.

Domestic Violence Related Fatalities in Our Community

Orange and Seminole Counties have seen a decline in the overall number of victim fatalities since 2007, but domestic violence related suicides have grown. Seminole's 7 fatalities have already surpassed last year's total of 4, while Orange shows a significant decline (25 deaths in 2008 vs. 12 deaths YTD 2009).

What has not declined, however, is the number of suicides (10 thus far) committed by perpetrators. I would contend that when an abuser has decided to take their own life, they become incredibly lethal to those near them. After all, once you've decided you have nothing to live for, it's a (relatively) easy leap to kill anyone you believe is the cause of your unhappiness.  Or to kill one's children in an effort to keep them away from the other parent (as was the case with my daughter, Sarah). Safety planning is a crucial component to protecting yourself and your children if you are a victim of domestic/dating violence. It is also important if you are attempting to assist a friend or loved one who is a victim.

There have been 19 victims of domestic violence and child abuse in Orange and Seminole this year. It is said that a picture (or maybe a chart) is worth a thousand words. In the interest of making my point, here is a link to the stats that CourtWatch has gathered since 2007.

To help commemorate the lives lost to domestic violence in our community, and to celebrate successes achieved, the Orange County Domestic Violence Task Force will be sponsoring a Walk to "Break the Silence" at Lake Eola on Saturday, October 10th.  Registration begins at 7:30am and a brief program will precede the walk which is scheduled to commence at 9:00am. T-Shirts will be available for sale at $15 each, but you may walk for free. To reserve your T-Shirt, contact Lacy Kemp at lkemp@sao9.org

For a comprehensive list of Orange County DV related events this October, please visit Harbor House's calendar online. 

Additionally, Safehouse of Seminole is sponsoring Purple Light Nights to increase awareness of domestic violence.

DOJ Report - Practical Implications of DV Research for Criminal Justice System

JUNE 2009 - Department of Justice Report: Practical Implications of Domestic Violence Research for Law Enforcement, Prosecutors and Judges. The report may be downloaded here:
http://ncmbts.blogspot.com/2009/09/june-2009-dept-justice-report-practical.html

In addition to the link for downloading the report, there's an excellent discussion of risk factors for high lethality DV cases on the above-referenced blog. If you've ever wondered why murder-suicides happen, you'll find it interesting.

I'll admit I haven't digested the entire 106 page document yet. But it delves into the following topics and I look forward to taking some time to review the rest of it:

• Reporting & Arrests
• Perpetrator Characteristics
• Victim Characteristics
• Law Enforcement Responses
• Prosecution Responses
• Judicial Responses
• Intervention Programs

It never ceases to amaze me how the internet helps advocates do their jobs. It's so much more convenient than going to the public library! Thank you Al Gore!