Domestic Violence Headlines for the Week of Oct. 13

Ellen Greenberg’s Death Ruled a Suicide for Second Time Despite Protests

On Monday, a Philadelphia chief medical examiner ruled for the second time that the suspicious death of Ellen Greenberg in 2011 was a suicide, despite the protests of her parents and a petition with more than 167,000 signatures arguing otherwise. 

Fourteen years ago, Greenberg was found stabbed to death 21 times in her apartment. At least one of the stab wounds was in the back of Greenberg’s neck. Her body was also covered in various unexplained bruises. The medical examiner at the time, Dr. Marlon Osborne, ruled Greenberg’s death a suicide citing her recent diagnosis of acute anxiety as a contributing factor. 

This past February, after Greenberg’s parents had been fighting to have their daughter’s autopsy reexamined for over the past decade, Dr. Osborne reexamined the evidence and stated in a document, “It is my professional opinion Ellen’s manner of death should be designated as something other than suicide.”

Earlier this year, the pathologist who originally performed Greenberg’s autopsy reversed his findings, saying he no longer believed the 27-year-old schoolteacher took her own life. The stunning news was followed by a new documentary, “Death in Apartment 603” that brought additional public attention to Greenberg’s story, though some argued it failed to make a connection between possible domestic violence and hidden homicides—when an abusive partner commits murder but makes it appear as though it is a suicide. 

There is no evidence that Greenberg’s fiancé at the time, Sam Goldberg, was abusive, but he has been under speculation since her death. A barrage of angry texts from Goldberg to Greenberg on the night of her death raised suspicions, as well as his public silence after her passing. 

Sources: CNN, A&E

Alabama Police Officer Released from Jail After DV Strangulation 

Just 24 hours after the Tuscaloosa, Ala., police commander was arrested for domestic violence strangulation, Captain Kip Hart was released from jail on a $5,000 bond. Capt. Hart leads the criminal investigation division and is now on administration leave. 

It is not known if the victim of his strangulation received an emergency protective order but advocates strongly advise that survivors of strangulation be aware that this type of domestic violence assault is one of the main predictors of a future homicide by an abuser. In a recent case out of Tucson, Ariz., a man awaiting trial for strangling his girlfriend was released by a judge only to then fatally shoot his girlfriend and then himself. 

Studies suggest that the partners of law enforcement officers face a significantly higher risk of domestic violence—estimated at two to four times greater than the general population. This risk is heightened by the ready access many officers have to firearms; abusers with access to a gun are approximately five times more likely to commit homicide than those without.

Abusers in law enforcement are also more prone to abuse the systems meant to protect survivors. They can influence other officers, know how to work loopholes in the system, may know the judges and can threaten survivors that they know the locations of the women’s shelters in the area so the survivor “won’t be safe anywhere.” A survivor should remember that these threats are meant to keep them afraid and silent, and that there are still advocates out there they can trust. To learn more, read, “When Your Abuser Is a Police Officer.”

Source: WBRC.com

Maryland Woman Dragged into Woods by Partner During Assault, Escapes

On Monday, a Southern Maryland news site posted a headline saying a man was hit by a car during a domestic dispute Sunday night. The story doesn’t make it clear until the third paragraph that the woman who hit him called 911, saying the man had dragged her into the woods, and she had just escaped.

This reporting reflects how domestic violence can be minimized in the media as a “domestic dispute,” or an “argument that escalated.” The wording often places equal blame on both parties. Though sometimes an argument may just be an argument, physical abuse often indicates something much more than that, say domestic violence advocates. 

By implying that dragging a woman into the woods is part of a “normal” argument and that the crime to focus on is a self-defense tactic (also known as reactive abuse) the headline veers into the area of victim-blaming. 

“There’s suspicion of women who claim [domestic violence], and it’s the same with sexual assault and sexual violence. There’s this assumption that false accusations are the default position,” Michelle Weldon, emerita professor in journalism at Northwestern University, author, journalist and survivor told DomesticShelters.org in “When Media Missed the Boat.”

Weldon says she doesn’t think this is limited to domestic violence claims, either: “I think that it’s true with women’s voices in general. ‘Oh, she’s not telling the truth,’ is the first thought.”

The alleged perpetrator was taken to the hospital for treatment. Authorities with the Charles County Sheriff’s Office say no arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing. 

Source: thebaynet.com

North Carolina Man Accused of DV Arrested on Drugs, Weapons Charges Instead

In Raeford, N.C., a man who was being investigated for domestic violence was arrested instead for gun and drug charges, showing that sometimes there are other ways to get abusers behind bars when abuse is hard to prove. 

Luciano Cazares-Baltzar, 35, was reported to have a weapon in his possession after an argument with a woman at a Circle K gas station. When police found him at his home, they could see a bag of methamphetamine in plain view on his truck console. When they searched the truck, they found more drug paraphernalia and the gun. Baltzar was charged with Felony Possession of Methamphetamine, Carrying a Concealed Gun and Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He’s being held on a $5,000 bond. 

The survivor was located and confirmed to be safe. 

“Ultimately, using every available legal tool, even charges not explicitly related to domestic violence, can help ensure a dangerous abuser is held accountable and give survivors a chance to rebuild their lives in safety," Chad D. Cummings, attorney and CPA, told DomesticShelters.org.

Source: sandhillssentinel.com