Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Columbus, GA: Victims in murder-suicide worked in same engineer battalion

By ALAN RIQUELMY - ariquelmy@ledger-enquirer.com

The victims of a murder-suicide in Columbus this weekend worked in the same engineer battalion on Fort Benning and were married for more than a year before the fatal shooting.
Police have released few details about the Saturday slaying of 21-year-old Ruby Grant and the suicide of her 27-year-old husband, Freddie Dewayne Grant. Reports state officers were checking on the welfare of the couple at their Huckleberry Hill Apartments home off St. Marys Road around 7 p.m. when they discovered both Grants in their bedroom with gunshot wounds to the head.
One neighbor said officers at the scene were also looking for a little girl who’d been spotted outside the apartments.
The girl’s relationship to the Grants is unknown.
Spc. Ruby Grant, formerly Ruby Ruiz, was from Selma, Calif. She’d been on active duty since March 2009 and arrived at Fort Benning in July 2009. She served as a bridge crew member with the 366th Engineer Corps, 11th Engineer Battalion, said Elsie Jackson, public information officer with Fort Benning.
Sgt. Freddie Grant, of Steele, Mo., served in the same battalion. He joined the Army in February 2008 and came to Fort Benning that month, having served for the previous two years in the National Guard.
Neither had ever deployed, Jackson said.
Freddie Grant had a 5-year-old daughter from a previous marriage. His former wife filed for divorce in February 2010, and Freddie Grant married Ruby Grant in September 2010, records state.

Anchorage, AK: Police say two south-side deaths were murder-suicide

TOWNHOUSE: Man apparently killed girlfriend, hanged self.
By CASEY GROVE
Anchorage Daily News
Published: November 29th, 2011 11:07 PM
Last Modified: November 29th, 2011 11:07 PM
A man hanged himself after stabbing his girlfriend in their rented South Anchorage townhouse, where the man's brother found their bodies Monday afternoon, police said.

Tae Won Ro, 40, was found hanging by a rope in the second-floor living area, and an autopsy showed he had strangled, police spokesman Lt. Dave Parker said in a written statement. A medical examiner found that Yoo Jin Kim, 33, died from multiple stab wounds, Parker said. She was discovered lying on the home's third floor, surrounded by blood, said Detective Mark Huelskoetter.

Ro apparently killed Kim, then hanged himself, Huelskoetter said. Crime scene investigators found evidence that Ro had Kim's blood on his hands when he went to the first-floor garage to get a rope, the detective said.

A family member said the two were in a relationship and lived together, Parker said. Neighbors said it was about a month ago that the pair moved into the gray-and-brown townhouse, one in a 16-unit development south of Huffman Road in the 12600 block of Bona Kim Loop.

According to state business records, Ro owned T-1 General Contractor. Neighbors said he renovated the townhouse and another nearby before moving into the small, new neighborhood.

Family members had not seen Ro and Kim since Thanksgiving, Huelskoetter said.

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"The family reported they'd argued at least a couple days prior to Thanksgiving and that they'd had some previous issues," Huelskoetter said.

Ro had two previous convictions for assault, one related to a domestic violence situation, and a prior domestic violence restraining order, according to court records.

While the exact time of death for Ro and Kim has not yet been determined, police say the last time the couple's next-door neighbors heard noises in the residence was Friday.

"There was nothing heard after that," Huelskoetter said.

Over the holiday weekend, family members stopped by the residence, knocked on the door and got no response, Huelskoetter said. On Monday, Ro's brother called the couple's landlord, concerned about their welfare, and the landlord gave him a spare garage door opener. The brother found the bodies inside about 3:20 p.m. and called 911, police said.

Detectives continue to investigate, Parker said.

Dauphin, PA: Coroner released information on murder-suicide

The Dauphin County Coroner is releasing more information about a murder-suicide that happened last week.

Monday, he talked about the circumstances leading up to the tragedy and how the father and daughter died.

The Dauphin County Coroner said family conflict and possibly an argument between husband and wife, lead to the death of a man and his 16-year-old daughter.

“It is not uncommon over the holiday season for events like this to increase,” lamented Coroner Graham Hetrick.

Dauphin County Coroner Graham Hetrick announced Monday, the results of autopsies performed on 35-year-old Timothy Jarmuzek and his daughter, 16 year old Taysia Jarmuzek.

“She suffered a close range gunshot wound to the head,” Hetrick announced. “Then after doing that Timothy left the daughter's room, went over into his own bedroom area and placed the gun to his head and killed himself.”

Hetrick says there are other children in the Jarmuzek family but he couldn't confirm whether they were inside their Swatara Township home when the incident happened. It's a tragedy he says could be tied to Timothy's psychological problems and a fight he had had earlier with his wife.

“I know both the Deputy Coroner and everybody here is very saddened by the event, the fact that this 16-year-old girl's life is now lost because of family conflict is sad,” concluded Hetrick.


A Dauphin County community is in shock Saturday as they deal with a murder-suicide in their neighborhood and the loss of two people. Swatara Township Police would only say that the victims are related and that one of them is a juvenile.
But neighbors, who know the family well and other police sources tell CBS 21 that they believe a father shot his 16 year old daughter. People who know the teen victim say she is 16-year-old Taysia Jarmuzek.

Taysia Jarmuzek is smiling in almost every Facebook photo. But her longtime friends say it was a mask, covering up her troubled home life.

" You could look at Taysia and tell something was happening. She hid it from people," said Jayron Nesbit, Taysia's friend.

Jayron Nesbit has been friends with Taysia since the fourth grade. Saturday, he mourned her death. Swatara Township Police say that around 9:30 Friday night, they arrived to a home at Kristy Lane for a report of a possible suicide. Inside the home they found two victims, who they say are related. One of them is a juvenile.

" I knew her since they were little. She used to live in our complex down the street," said Maria Ramirez-Dennis, victim's friend.

Maria says Taysia's parents had marriage troubles and calls her father controlling.

" I always kind of stayed away from him for some reason. The look on his face, I just didn't trust it," said Maria.

Taysia's friends have a hard time saying goodbye. Jasmine Barber placed a teddy bear near the door of Taysia's home. It's the same bear that Taysia gave Jasmine for her birthday.

" I felt like I was lost you know? I don't know what to do, because she was my best friend you know?" said Jasmine Barber, Taysia's friend.



Taysia Jarmuzek attended Central Dauphin East High School.

The Dauphin County Coroner says he will release more information about the murder-suicide investigation Monday.

Monterey, CA: Domestic dispute led to attempted murder-suicide in Marina, police say

Man in stable condition in S.J. hospital
By LARRY PARSONS
Herald Staff Writer
Posted: 11/29/2011 01:27:38 AM PST
Updated: 11/29/2011 08:43:59 AM PST

A domestic dispute set off a double shooting Friday evening at a Marina motel that left a man hospitalized with multiple gunshot wounds and a woman dead from a self-inflicted shot to the head, police said Monday.

The dead woman was identified as Kimberly Johnson, 26, of Shreveport, La., though she had been living recently in the Monterey Bay area.

Shortly before Johnson shot herself in a room at the Motel 6 at 100 Reservation Road, police had found her estranged partner, a 25-year-old man, lying in the motel parking lot.

The couple's two young boys, ages 1 and 5, were in the motel room at the time. They were immediately taken into protective custody. Police spokesman Lt. Rick Janicki said authorities were trying to get them placed with relatives.

The survivor was listed in stable condition Monday at a San Jose hospital. He was shot in the head and at least twice in the upper body, said Janicki.

It wasn't clear whether both of the adults were staying at the motel — or for how long — before the violence broke out. Police were called to the motel about 6:15p.m. on a report of gunshots.

Detectives picked up "bits and pieces" during their investigation leading them to believe "some sort of domestic dispute" provoked the attempted murder and suicide, Janicki said.

Police were withholding where the couple lived locally because of pending notifications, he said. They also wouldn't release information about the gun that was used.

Gilroy, CA: Police sergeant and wife dead after apparent murder-suicide, say San Jose cops

By Crimesider Staff Topics Daily Blotter
Police are investigating an apparent murder-suicide that involved a San Jose police sergeant and his wife.
CBS San Francisco reports that Sgt. Christopher Shimek, 51, and his 43-year-old wife Lynn Shimek were found dead in their home in Gilroy late Sunday night.

Family and friends called police after not being able to contact them, authorities said. Officers were sent to the home where they found the couple's bodies. Christopher Shimek had suffered a suspected self-inflicted gunshot wound and police did not release the manner in which his wife died.

NBC affiliate KSBW reports the couple's two children, ages 13 and 19, were not home at the time of the incident.

Though there is no recent report of domestic violence or disturbances at the home, a record search for their home shows that in March 2007, police responded to a call from someone reporting that Christopher Shimek allegedly hit a stepson after being "in a rage."

Christopher Shimek had been with the San Jose police department since 1995.

Police are continuing the investigation.

Article: Murder: The Ticking Time Bomb in Domestic Violence Cases

Murder: The Ticking Time Bomb in Domestic Violence Cases
Susan Murphy-Milano, Contributor
It was a Sunday evening when Christopher Shimek asked his son, age 13, and stepson, 19, to leave the house for awhile and get something to eat. He said he wanted to speak to their mother alone. I know too well, from personal experience, that it was a sign of the tragedy to come.

The majority of Lynn Shimek and Christopher Shimek’s 15-year marriage had been rocky, but Lynn had tried as best she could to keep their family together. Christopher was a sergeant and a 16-year veteran with the San Jose (California) Police Department. When violent events occurred at home, she did not call the police; Lynn did not want to get her husband into trouble and jeopardize his job.

But recently, she’d had enough of Christopher’s controlling and abusive behavior. Lynn Shimek, like so many others who finally muster the courage to leave, told her husband, “I’ve had enough. I want a divorce.” That was her fatal mistake; she had announced to him that it was over, without a plan of action in place. Like too many victims of intimate partner violence, they naively believe that their abusive partners will be enraged – but not to the point where they will be killed. Therein lies the problem.

Christopher’s pattern of conduct is an important example of such cases leading to homicide. His controlling behavior – checking her phone messages and text communications, getting print outs of numbers called, using tracking devices on phones and cars – indicated his maintaining consistent control over her daily activities.

A victim in Lynn’s position, married to a police officer, rarely, if at all, will admit to threats or physical attacks because it can be too embarrassing. Often a victim will not disclose the situation, even to their most trusted circle of friends. Calling police or filing for a court order of protection is rarely an option in cases involving law enforcement officers.

Gilroy police went to the Shimeks’ home in 2007 because Christopher had hit his stepson “in a fit of rage,” according to news reports. Lynn Shimek did not want to take further action. The event was noted on a field interview card and in the computer-aided dispatch system. It was an indication of another red flag of what was happening behind closed doors.

That Sunday, November 27, before the Shimek boys arrived home after their father sent them away so he could speak with their mother, Christopher texted a message to a friend of Lynn’s: “I’m sorry. I went too far. Please don’t let my kids in the house.”

Christopher had strangled his 43-year-old wife. Then, after he murdered her with his bare hands, he took his own life.

We rarely gain an insider’s view into cases involving officer-related murder-suicides. As the daughter of a Chicago violent crimes detective and specialist in the area of intimate partner violence and homicide, reading statements from police – such as Chief Chris Moore’s “What makes this all the more difficult to understand is that he was so even-keeled. No one expected this” – makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

My father was an amazing law enforcement officer. He was truly loved and respected by all who ever knew him, but for as long as I can remember, he kept tabs on my mother’s every move for fear she would leave him. Behind the front door of our modest Chicago home, my father was an angry, abusive man whom I feared. There were no outward signs that my father was capable of any type of violence.

After 28 years of marriage, my parents divorced. A few short months later, my mother would be lured to my childhood home by my father. He told her she had to sign a document pertaining to the sale of their house.

Like many victims of intimate partner violence, my mother let her guard down. She had tasted the success of freedom and no longer feared my father. On January 19, 1989, I discovered their bodies. My mother, Roberta Murphy, 47, was shot at close range in the head, and Phillip Murphy, 54, my father, committed suicide in the bedroom.

Carmi, IL: Municipal worker kills himself at courthouse

Carmi, Ill. —


A well-known Carmi man apparently shot and killed himself on the parking lot east of the White County Courthouse in downtown Carmi Monday afternoon.

White County Coroner Carl McVey confirmed the identity of the decedent as 55-year-old Carl A. Devoy, a municipal worker for the City of Carmi.

Devoy was due in court for a 1:30 p.m. hearing to answer a petition filed by his former wife in their 1999 divorce case that requested Devoy pay money toward his teen-aged daughter's college expenses.

White County Sheriff Doug Maier said Devoy's ex-wife and daughter were inside the Courthouse waiting on the hearing to begin. A witness not identified by Maier came to the court security desk just inside the north (accessible) entrance before 1:30 p.m. and reported to court security officers Keith Brooks and Chris Marsh that a man was standing in the parking lot holding a gun to his own head.

Brooks and Marsh rounded the northeast corner and saw a male lying on the ground in a pool of blood between the first row of parking and the east wall of the building. The officers sent word for an ambulance, but the wound was fatal.

McVey said an autopsy conducted Monday night revealed Devoy died of a single gunshot wound to the head, and the results of toxicology tests are pending review at a lab. The single bullet caused wounds that were observed at the scene to have entered the right side of the decedent's head and exited the left.

Maier said a .357 magnum Smith & Wesson revolver was recovered at the scene. An older model Suburban that belonged to Devoy was located on the parking lot, and a pistol holster could be observed on the console. The vehicle was removed and processed by sheriff's deputies.

Chief Deputy Coroner Ralph Hall processed the scene of the shooting and attended the autopsy Monday night. He and McVey notified relatives in the county.

Maier said while the situation was sad, he was thankful it was not more serious. He wondered aloud what Devoy's motives were and speculated the security at the lone Courthouse entrance may have deterred Devoy from entering the building and harming other people, if that was his plan.

"We are reviewing security camera footage to see if he tried to enter the building at some point," the sheriff said. "We will probably never know what his true motives and intent were, but I am glad to have the security in place at the Courthouse to perhaps prevent more serious violence in situations like this."

Devoy, known as "Buzz" by many, was a longtime bartender in town and worked for the City of Carmi most recently at the wastewater treatment plant. He had been at his worksite Monday morning with co-workers, and they were stunned when they learned of Monday afternoon's events.

One employee told The Times he had spent practically the entire morning with Devoy and had talked at length with him about his hearing that was coming up Monday afternoon. He said Devoy did not seem to be plotting a suicide, but after learning of Monday afternoon's events, the co-worker said some comments made by Devoy earlier in the day were now viewed in a different light.

Devoy had attended several recent meetings of the Carmi City Council and demanded enforcement of the state's smoking ban in bars. He had also attended a recent meeting and complained about fellow city workers leaving a hole in his yard as part of a construction project.

Two orders of protection had been issued in White County Circuit Court against Devoy, one in 2008 that had been later dismissed, and a plenary order that was issued early last year. The 2010 order was requested by an ex-girlfriend and remained in force.

A few years ago, when the local VFW Post was having financial difficulty and relied upon volunteers to help the club operate, Devoy volunteered and bartended a number of hours to help the orgnization.

Louisville, KY: Family Speaks Out About Shooting Over Baby

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Gunfire between a baby's father and the mother's boyfriend led to Louisville's latest deadly shooting, right in front of a one-year-old girl.
The victim's family spoke to WLKY about a life cut short, and the need to avoid even more violence.
The baby's father is still recovering at University Hospital, from being shot in the shoulder. Louisville Metro Police still have not released his name.
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The man who died was identified as 19-year-old Rick Wydman, Jr.
"He had a beautiful life. Although it was very short, it was still beautiful," said Wydman's aunt, Mona Brooks. "Beautiful, outgoing, fun-loving, you couldn't help but love him. He was a great person."
But at about 4 a.m. Tuesday, Brooks was awakened by a phone call saying her nephew had been shot to death.
"I was devastated, I thought it was an awful thing," said Brooks.
"I was just over here the other day, talking to him, joking with him. I don't know why it had to come to this," said Miqueal Wells, the brother of Wydman's girlfriend.
The shooting happened overnight inside a unit at the 550 Apartments near Ninth Street and Muhammad Ali Boulevard.
Police said that's where Wydman lived with his girlfriend and her one-year-old baby girl.
"He considered that child as his own and he took care of them," said Brooks.
But family members said Wydman had a history of conflict with the little girl's father.
"They'd be fighting over the baby because the baby daddy wanted to see the baby, but he hasn't done nothing for my niece since she was born," said Wells.
And police said it was the girl's father who fired the fatal shots at Wydman, after both men pulled guns on each other, with the girlfriend and one-year-old looking on.
"Rick, he took up the spot as being the father. Now my niece don't have no father at all," said Wells.
"It's just unfortunate that sometimes, people's anger and jealousy get the best of them," said Brooks.
Police won't comment on a possible motive, but Brooks said that's a moot point.

"It doesn't really matter what happened or why he did it. The only thing he needs to know is this was not necessary, this could have been avoided," said Brooks.
And she doesn't want one death to lead to any others.
"We don't want any retaliation, we don't want any hate. We just want to be able to bury him in a loving way," said Brooks.
Police expect to file a murder charge against the baby's father in the coming days.

Las Vegas, NV: Man arrested in shooting death of girlfriend

By Jackie Valley (contact)

Monday, Nov. 28, 2011 | 2:02 p.m.

Metro Police arrested Jose Antonio Rodriquez, 29, in connection with the death of his girlfriend, whose body was found in an apartment parking lot.

Metro Police have arrested 29-year-old Jose Antonio Rodriquez in connection with the death of his girlfriend, whose body was found early Friday morning in an apartment parking lot.

Police found Rodriquez on Sunday in the 5800 block of West Harmon Avenue, where he was captured without incident, police said.

He was booked into the Clark County Detention Center on a count of murder with a deadly weapon, according to jail records.

The Clark County coroner’s office identified the victim as 22-year-old Christina Griffis, who died from gunshot wounds to the mouth and neck. Her death was ruled a homicide.

Police said officers responded to the 2900 block of Juniper Hills Drive, near Vegas Valley Drive, about 2:35 a.m. Friday. A male had called 911 to report that he found a large amount of blood in his apartment when he returned home, police said.

When officers arrived, they secured the residence, police said. Officers followed a blood trail that led from the residence to the apartment’s driveway, where they discovered the woman’s body, police said.

Homicide detectives began investigating and identified Rodriquez as a person of interest in the case, police said.

Rodriquez’s first court appearance is scheduled for Tuesday. Jail records indicate he is being held without bail.

Nashville, TN: Nashville man charged in fatal shooting of pregnant girlfriend

A 32-year-old man was in jail Sunday after being charged in the fatal shooting of his live-in girlfriend, who was eight months pregnant.

Metro police say Jordans Benoit shot 44-year-old Almise Derilus in the neck during an early-morning argument at their home, at 421 Raintree Place. Benoit called 911 to report the shooting at 1:45 a.m. Sunday.

Derilus was rushed to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where she and her unborn child died.

Benoit told Hermitage Precinct Detective Johnny Crumby that he reached for a pistol during a heated argument about their relationship. He told the detective that the gun went off while they were arguing.

Benoit is charged with criminal homicide and is being held in jail on $500,000 bond.

Police say more charges are pending against Benoit.

Salisbury, NC: Salisbury man shot and killed by girlfriend's ex

by NewsChannel 36 Staff
Posted on November 29, 2011 at 11:50 PM
Updated today at 5:36 AM

SALISBURY, N.C. -- Police are searching for a Salisbury man after they said he shot and killed the father of his ex-girlfriend’s children.
According to Salisbury police, 20-year-old Terrell Jamal Bowman shot 32-year-old Dwante Patterson at a home on Mildred Avenue Tuesday evening during an argument.
Around 4:45 p.m. a Salisbury officer was flagged down at the intersection of South Main Street and Fulton Street near the Curt and Geri's Dairy Bar by a person who was driving Patterson to the hospital after he had been shot. That officer called for paramedics who took Patterson to Rowan Regional medical Center where he later died.
When police arrived at the house on Mildred Avenue they found that the Bowman had earlier been inside the home with his ex-girlfriend, Wendy Lilly and her children. While Bowman was there, Patterson came in and confronted Bowman about assaulting his child the week before, according to police. The two started arguing and Lilly and her children went outside.
Police said shots were then heard and Patterson ran out of the house and Bowman ran after him, shooting. Patterson fell and then got up and ran towards Vance Avenue. He was picked up by a friend who was taking him to the hospital when they flagged down the officer, according to police.
Bowman left the scene in a 1990's white Mazda. A female driver and backseat passenger were also in the vehicle.
Warrants for Murder have been issued for Terrell Jamal Bowman.
Anyone with information on the location of Bowman please call the Salisbury Police Department at 704-638-5333 or Crime Stoppers at 1-866-639-5245.

Marietta, OH: Ex-wife testifies in Smith murder trial

November 30, 2011
By BRAD BAUER , The Marietta Times

MARIETTA - An accused murderer's ex-wife testified Tuesday that when she found her father stabbed to death at his Cutler home on June 19, 2010, there was no question in her mind who had committed the act.

"He had told me he was going to kill my father," said Gerald Smith's ex-wife, Lynn Rogers, of Vincent. "He had told me if I was ever to leave him or go out of state I would be bringing myself home to a funeral."

Rogers, who was separated from Smith at the time of the murder, said she was out with another man the night of her father's murder. She said she had a contentious phone call with Smith that evening that may have led to the death of her father, Homer Rogers, 66.

"I said, 'Gerald, I'm not coming home. I'm done. I've done this 20 years and our kids are grown and I'm just not coming home,'" she said.

Rogers said her husband then demanded to know where she was and who she was with.

"I told him it was none of his business where I was at or who I was with and I hung up," she said.

Washington County Prosecutor Kevin Rings told jurors that when Smith's wife hung up, the man made good on those threats.

Rings said Smith grabbed a knife and walked 3.1 miles from his home to 1270 Burnett Road, Cutler, the home of his father-in-law.

"He entered the house without permission, had brought a steak knife or kitchen knife with him, and he stabbed Homer Rogers in the right side of the neck with such force it transected his spinal cord," Rings said.

Smith, 49, of 390 Kennedy Road, Cutler, is facing life in prison on the charges. Testimony in the trial is expected to last through Friday and is set to resume at 9 a.m. today before Common Pleas Judge Ed Lane.

Smith had previously pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, but his defense argued Tuesday the man couldn't have committed the crimes because he was too drunk. Washington County Public Defender Ray Smith, no relation to his client, said Gerald Smith had consumed nearly 40 beers and prescription medication in the hours leading up to the murder.

"Gerald Smith didn't walk 3.1 miles over those hills and roads with potholes," he said. "Our puzzle box says that didn't happen."

After opening statements on Tuesday, the jury was taken to view the area of the murder and the location of the homes.

Ray Smith also seemed to be targeting Lynn Rogers and members of her family, who are in line to inherit more than $400,000 from Homer Rogers' death.

Lynn Rogers dismissed the notion, saying she loved her father and never wanted for anything while he was alive.

Smith seemed to get irritated at some of his ex-wife's statements, often leaning over to discuss her responses with his attorneys. He appeared to be wearing the same white button-down shirt and jeans he wore Monday.

During Tuesday's testimony, Lynn Rogers also identified the 99-cent steak knife she and Smith had bought together and that prosecutors claim was used to kill her father.

About a dozen members of the Rogers family watched Tuesday's proceedings, which included testimony from four witnesses. A few family members wiped tears from their eyes as a forensic pathologist described the fatal injuries to Rogers' neck.

Dr. Robert Shott, a pathologist from the Montgomery County Coroner's Office, said Rogers died from a single stab to his neck. He said the blade of the knife cut though the spinal cord and scored bone.

"That would have taken a significant amount of force," Shott said.

During jury selection on Monday, Rings told jurors a forensic scientist was expected to testify later in the trial about a knife that was recovered. He said Rogers' DNA is on the blade and Smith's DNA is on the handle.

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Rochester, NY: Disabled Rochester man, brutally killed, laid to rest

Posted at: 11/26/2011 6:54 PM | Updated at: 11/26/2011 7:12 PM
By: Ted Fioraliso | WHEC.com

They say he touched people's lives with a simple smile. On Saturday, a disabled Rochester man -- brutally killed -- was laid to rest.

Family and friends said their goodbyes to 23-year-old Cameron Conyer. Conyer and his mother were attacked at their Clifford Avenue home on November 13. While his mother survived, Conyer died from his injuries.

After a two-day manhunt, police arrested Conyer's mother's ex-boyfriend, Joseph Myles, and charged him with Conyer's murder.

Before Saturday’s service at Elim Christian Fellowship Church on Main Street in Rochester, Conyer’s brother, Willie Williamson said, “He was gentle, warm-loving, he would extend himself to anybody.”

Williams, and another one of Conyer’s brothers, Jordan Conyer, said their brother had a smile that touched people's lives. Conyer had cerebral palsy, and worked for the Arc of Monroe as a piece worker. He played on an Arc bowling team and loved to cook.

“I want everyone to understand that even though he was disabled, he was regular human being, a loving human being,” said Jordan Conyer.

On November 13, Conyer and his mother Mary were brutally attacked at their home on Clifford Avenue. Police say Joseph Myles, Mary's ex-boyfriend -- slashed Conyer's throat and stabbed his mother in the face, body and throat. She survived.

“We're outraged about what happened to my brother, but at the same time we're happy that god allowed my mom to survive,” said Jordan Conyer.

The brothers say their mom is doing well.

“She's very happy, she's in high spirits. Joseph did not break her,” said Jordan.

And while they're still in pain over the loss of their brother, they're at peace knowing Conyer is back home with their Lord.

“I want everyone who's seeing this incident, this tragedy, to take life out of it, not loss -- to value something more than they have before,” said Williams.

Conyer was buried at Riverside Cemetery. His brothers want to thank the community for all their support over the last two weeks. They say it's been a trying time, but they've got eight brothers and sisters who they say will get them through it.

For more Rochester, N.Y. news, log onto www.whec.com

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Las Vegas, NV: Police: Woman battered to death, dragged down stairs

By Drew Karedes
CREATED NOV. 25, 2011

Police investigating woman's death, looking for boyfriend
Las Vegas, NV (KTNV) - The search has kicked into high gear for the boyfriend of a woman who was beaten to her last breath.

The 22-year-old, who has not been identified by the authorities, was killed inside an apartment.

It happened in the Friday overnight hours at the Pacific Harbors apartments, near Nellis and Vegas Valley. The young woman's battered body was found lying in a complex courtyard around 2:35 a.m.

Investigators believe her killer dragged her body down concrete stairs before tossing her body into some bushes.

Neighbors who live just feet away are aghast over the violent crime.

"I was really freaked out. I'm thinking about getting a gun," said neighbor Annette McKernan.

Police are looking to speak with 29-year-old Jose Antonio Rodriguez of Las Vegas. He is being called the boyfriend of the woman who was brutally murdered.

"I thought they was a happy couple to be honest with you," explained neighbor Angela Jackson. "I didn't see no violence. I couldn't sense it or nothing."

It's unclear if Rodriguez and the victim resided at Pacific Harbors or if they were just visiting the apartment. Police have only said that the two "frequented" the unit often.

It was Rodriguez's brother who reportedly called police after walking into the apartment and finding a significant amount of blood.

"He's a real scumbag, to beat a woman like that. I have no pity for him. He needs the electric chair," said Reese, a neighbor who was consumed with anger over the apparent case of domestic violence.

Rodriguez is only being called a person of interest at this time. He is described as about 5 feet 8 inches. He weighs approximately 140 pounds.

Anyone with any information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 385-5555 or Las Vegas Metro Police Homicide Section at 828-3521.

Bartow, FL: Bartow woman killed, boyfriend claims self-defense

By: Chad Cookler
BARTOW - A Bartow woman was shot and killed by her on-again, off-again boyfriend, who claims she attacked him first, investigators say.
According to the Bartow Police Department, 24-year-old Tanya Thomas was shot around 4 a.m. Saturday at the Peace River Trailer Park on SR-60.
She was taken to Lakeland Medical Center where she later died.
Her boyfriend, 32-year-old Ryan Willis, told police that Thomas attacked him with a knife and that he shot her in self-defense.
The pair had been dating on-and-off for two years, Willis said. No charges have been filed at this point, but the investigation is still active.
An autopsy will be performed Sunday.

Overland, MO: Man dies in Mo. fire after domestic dispute

OVERLAND, Mo. — Police in suburban St. Louis say a man has died after setting fire to a home where he was arguing with his former wife.

Overland Police Chief Michael Laws tells KSDK-TV (http://on.ksdk.com/vARiC4 ) that officers were called to the home around 3 p.m. Friday and found the two arguing on the porch. The ex-wife was escorted away from the property as the man began threatening to harm himself.

Overland Police Chief Michael Laws tells KSDK-TV that officers were called to the home around 3 p.m. Friday and found the two arguing on the porch.

Police say the man then barricaded himself inside and set the house on fire. He was found dead after firefighters doused the blaze.

The man's name has not been released.

Farrell, PA: Police shoot and kill man in Farrell

Published: Sat, November 26, 2011 @ 12:05 a.m.

State police are continuing to investigate the Thanksgiving Day altercation that ended in police shooting and killing a man.

Two Southwest Regional Police officers went to a home on Dream Boulevard around 3:15 p.m. because of a domestic dispute, Southwest Police Chief Riley Smoot confirmed Friday.

But Smoot said he cannot discuss what may have happened that resulted in the death of Donteau Napier, 27. He also said he will not name the officers involved, adding that by early next week, he expects the department to make a statement. They’re both on administrative leave pending the results of an investigation.

State Police in Mercer are handling the investigation. They also said there will be no more information until Monday.

Smoot said that it is his department’s policy to ask state police to investigate such circumstances.

“We turned it over to them immediately,” he said.

He said that after the shooting, more Southwest officers along with Sharon police responded.

Napier was pronounced dead at St. Elizabeth Health Center in Youngstown. The Mercer County District Attorney’s Office also is investigating the shooting.

Napier had been involved in several thefts in the past few years and was sentenced to prison in 2009 for terroristic threats, simple assault and retail theft. Napier was formerly of Youngstown.

Toledo, OH: Toledo police charge woman in husband's death

Toledo police have issued warrant for a woman who they say fatally stabbed her estranged husband on Sept. 19.

Jackie L. Kenney-Cobb, 41, is wanted for the murder of Michael Cobb, 54, police said.

Authorities have said that Mr. Cobb was stabbed inside 284 Kingswood Trail in South Toledo. He was found lying on the floor with a knife wound in his chest, police said.

He died later that day at the University of Toledo Medical Center.

Anyone with information on Ms. Kenney-Cobb’s whereabouts is asked to call Crime Stoppers at419-255-1111

Chicago, IL: Woman killed at UIC hospital parking garage

Family blames estranged husband — 'We just can't get over it'

By Dawn Rhodes and Peter Nickeas, Chicago Tribune reporters
November 26, 2011

Before going to work Thursday afternoon, Angela Bonds stopped by her parents' South Shore home to pick up some Thanksgiving dinner, and she planned to return Friday for a second helping, according to her family.

But Bonds, 48, was shot dead just before midnight Thursday in a University of Illinois at Chicago Medical Center parking garage toward the end of her late-night shift. Hours later, UIC police arrested a 47-year-old man blocks from the scene of the shooting. Police initially said the suspect was Bonds' former boyfriend but her family identified him as her estranged husband, whom she was divorcing.

"We treated him like family," said Reginald Bonds, Angela Bonds' brother. "It's devastating. We just can't get over it."


The hospital complex was locked down for about five hours as police SWAT team members combed the area for the suspect.

About 6:30 a.m., a UIC police officer made a traffic stop at 14th Street and South Damen Avenue and recognized the driver as the man police were seeking, said hospital spokesman Mark Rosati. The man fled on foot and the officer caught him at 13th Street and South Hoyne Avenue. A handgun was recovered nearby, according to Rosati.

Reginald Bonds said his sister and her husband had been separated for years but the man continued to join the family for dinners and holidays. They also worked together in the housekeeping department at the UIC Medical Center, as did Bonds' fiance, he said.

"She was fun-loving; she'd give you anything," Bonds said. "She was just a beautiful person, and (her) life was just taken away."

According to court records, the suspect, who has not been charged, has a minor criminal record, pleading guilty to reckless conduct and weapons charges in 2008 and to possession of cannabis, speeding and DUI in July 2010.

Petaluma, CA: Petaluma Man Killed in Officer-Involved Shooting Thanksgiving Day

Shot by police after he threatened officers with gun, according to Sebastopol police


A 25-year-old Petaluma man was shot by a Sebastopol police officer Thursday after police received a call from the man's ex-girlfriend that he was pounding on the back door of her home.

Pablo Perez Ramirez was shot three times and killed around noon Thursday at an apartment complex in the 7000 block of Fellers Lane in Sebastopol. The first officer to arrive on the scene was Officer Dennis Colthurst, a 31-year veteran with the Sebastopol Police Department, who found Ramirez at the top of a staircase of the apartment.

Colthurst ordered the suspect down the stairs, but Perez allegedly became uncooperative after climbing part of the way down, and then brandished a handgun at the officer, according to police.

Colthurst then fired three shots at Perez, who fell at the top of the stairs. Emergency medical personnel pronounced him dead at the scene, and police found a loaded revolver near his body.

Following county protocol for such incidents, the Santa Rosa police and the Sonoma County District Attorney's Office will be investigating the shooting.

Santa Rosa police said Ramirez has a criminal history including convictions for carrying a loaded firearm in 2005 and for driving under the influence in 2007, as well as an arrest for resisting a peace officer in 2008. He has been released into the custody of Immigrations and Customs Enforcement three times, in 2007, 2008 and 2010.

Anyone with information regarding the shooting is asked to call Santa Rosa police at (707) 543-3590.

LaRue County, KY: Kentucky State Police: Elizabethtown man killed himself after shooting wife, second man in LaRue County

Kentucky State Police investigate two pickup trucks abandoned on Heying Road, the scene of a shooting incident that left three people killed and one seriously injured in Larue County Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2011 near Sonora, Ky. (AP Photo/Brian Bohannon) / BRIAN BOHANNON/AP
Written by
The Courier-Journal
An Elizabethtown husband killed his wife and a Radcliff man on a rural road in LaRue County Tuesday, then fatally shot himself, Kentucky State Police said Friday.

David Walker, 51, shot his wife, Barbara Walker, 51, and Steve L. Bottoms, 55, on Heying Lane in LaRue County, about three miles east of Sonora and Interstate 65, police said.

Barbara Walker died from a gunshot wound to the chest and torso, police said. Bottoms, of Radcliff, died from a gunshot wound to the head.

The Walkers’ daughter, April M. Roberts, 32, of Elizabethtown, was shot in both her legs, police said. She was transported to University Hospital Tuesday after driving herself to an Emergency Medical Services office in Elizabethtown and was listed in fair condition Friday, hospital spokesman David McArthur said.

David Walker died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, police said.

The shootings stemmed from a “domestic violence incident,” and police had responded to calls involving the Walkers in recent weeks, police have said.

Police are still investigating the exact cause and series of events that led the Hardin County quartet to being shot on a rural road surrounded by farms and small houses, said Master Trooper Norman Chaffins, a spokesman for state police in Elizabethtown, which is investigating the shootings.

State police detectives have not determined who shot Roberts, Chaffins said. Police said Tuesday that multiple guns were found at the scene.

Roberts has been interviewed by police and is cooperating with the investigation, Chaffins said.

An independent witness told police that David Walker shot his wife, Chaffins said. Other evidence, such as the position of the bodies, indicated that David Walker also shot Bottoms, he said.

On Tuesday, Police found an older-model Ford pick-up truck that was blocking Heying Lane, and a newer model Dodge that had stopped about 4 feet away. The Walkers were found on the ground and Bottoms was found in the passenger seat of his Dodge pick-up truck, Chaffins said.

The Ford pick-up was registered to Barbara Walker and the Dodge was registered to Bottoms, Chaffins said.

A Kia that Roberts drove to seek medical help was registered to a family member of David Walker, Chaffins said.

Autopsies were performed Wednesday, but police are still investigating and details of the shooting will not be available until forensics and final autopsy reports are given to police, Chaffins said.

Reporter Joseph Lord can be reached at (502) 582-4199.

Carlsbad, CA: CARLSBAD: Suspect arrested in woman's disappearance

A Carlsbad Police detective outside the Carlsbad residence of a missing woman Friday. BILL WECHTER | bwechter@nctimes.com

A Fallbrook man was arrested Friday on suspicion of kidnapping and killing his ex-girlfriend, 35-year-old Kathleen Scharbarth, who disappeared from her Carlsbad home late Wednesday, police said.
Michael David Robles, 43, was booked into the Vista jail early Friday morning in connection with the suspected crimes against Scharbarth, according to a Carlsbad police news release. He was being held without bail.
Despite the charges, police said they still had hope that Scharbarth would be found alive. The search for her was continuing late Friday afternoon.
Scharbarth was last seen late Wednesday night near her home in the 3100 block of Via Puerta in southeast Carlsbad, authorities have said.
Her current boyfriend, Daniel Weber, was supposed to pick her up for breakfast Thursday, according to a report by North County Times' media partner, NBC San Diego. When he got to the apartment, Scharbarth was gone, but her 13-year-old daughter was asleep inside, the door left open.
Weber was the last person to see Scharbarth on Wednesday night about 11:30 p.m. when she walked him to his car, according to NBC San Diego. Earlier in the evening, a neighbor said, a man was lurking outside Scharbarth's apartment.
Friends told NBC San Diego on Thursday that they believe Scharbarth's ex-boyfriend, who they did not name, is involved. They said he has hurt her before.
Court records show Scharbarth filed a domestic violence case against Robles last week.
Scharbarth had obtained a temporary restraining order against Robles as part of the domestic violence case, NBC San Diego reported.
Carlsbad police said they produced search warrants for Scharbarth's residence and one for the suspect's Fallbrook residence.
Police added that, with assistance from the San Diego County and Orange County Sheriff's Search and Rescue teams, they are searching the area around where Scharbarth was last seen.
Authorities also were searching for Scharbarth in the Fallbrook area, police said.
In addition, special agents with the California Department of Justice continued to assist Carlsbad detectives with the ongoing investigation, police said.
Scharbarth's friend, Janel Hill, told NBC San Diego that Scharbarth is a graduate of San Dieguito High School and owns her own furniture company.
"I think she was snatched," Hill told NBC. "I think somebody took her. She wouldn't leave her daughter here all night. It doesn't make sense."
Friends say it has been difficult to get a search warrant to start collecting evidence from Scharbarth's apartment because of the Thanksgiving holiday, NBC San Diego reported.
Carlsbad police continue to ask for the public's help in locating Scharbarth.
A Facebook page has been set up for those wishing to print out fliers. Anyone with information should call the Carlsbad Police Department at 760-931-2197.
Scharbarth is described by police as white, 5 feet 5 inches tall, 125 pounds with long, straight blond hair and blue eyes.
She was last seen wearing black pants and a purple shirt.
Anyone with information about Robles, the suspect, or who observed him between 11 p.m. Wednesday and 11 p.m. Thursday is asked to call Carlsbad police at 760-931-2197.
Staff Writers Chris Nichols and Morgan Cook contributed to this story.

Gardena, CA: Gardena husband shoots and kills estranged wife, then himself

By Larry Altman Staff Writer
Posted: 11/25/2011 12:20:26 PM PST
Updated: 11/26/2011 05:52:09 AM PST


Detectives said it appeared the husband, Won Chin, 59, committed the Wednesday night acts in the 15800 block of South Normandie Avenue because of a failing marriage. (Google Map)

A man apparently shot his wife to death at the door of their Gardena apartment, stepped away from her and then killed himself, police said Friday.
Detectives said it appeared the husband, Won Chin, 52, committed the acts Wednesday night in the 15800 block of South Normandie Avenue because of a failing marriage.
"She moved out fairly recently," Gardena police Sgt. Russ Temple said. "She came over to the house that night and it looks like he met her at the door and shot her with one single gunshot wound to the head."
Police officers responding to the 8:35 p.m. report of gunshots found the wife lying in front of the entrance to their upstairs apartment, Gardena police Lt. Uikilifi Niko said.
The man, identified later as Chin, was found just inside the apartment door. Temple said it appeared that Chin backed up after he shot his wife, put the gun to his own head and pulled the trigger.
Chin was unresponsive when paramedics tried to treat him. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
His wife died in surgery at County Harbor-UCLA Medical Center.
Police on Friday said they had not learned much
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about the couple's relationship and why Chin would kill her.
"It looks like they are recently estranged, going through a divorce," Temple said.
The wife's name was not released pending notification of her relatives.
larry.altman@dailybreeze.com
Follow Larry Altman on Twitter at http://twitter.com/larryaltman

Shavano Park, TX: Shavano Park couple's death a murder-suicide, police say

by Eric Gonzales & James Muñoz / KENS 5
Bio | Email | Follow: @americasjim
Posted on November 25, 2011 at 11:19 AM
Updated yesterday at 2:49 PM

Shavano Park police say an elderly man shot and killed his wife on Thanksgiving Day before turning the gun on himself.
Authorities have identified the victims as 72-year-old Rodney and 70-year-old Antoinette Haynes, of 91 Mossy Cup.
Shavano Park police said they were called to the home at 5:45 p.m. on Thursday in report of possible injuries. Upon arriving, officers said they found the couple laying on the ground near one another, each with a fatal gunshot wound.
Investigators were originally investigating the deaths as a possible double homicide, but ruled it a murder-suicide Friday afternoon.
Police allege Rodney shot himself in the neck after fatally shooting his wife in the head.
Investigators said there were no signs of forced entry and a shotgun was found near the bodies.
The bodies were removed from the home and taken to the Bexar County Medical Examiners Office. An autopsy has been scheduled for Friday and results of the forensic pathology report is expected sometime next week.

Mason, MI: Police confirm two dead in murder suicide near Mason

MASON -- Ingham County Sheriff Office officials said this afternoon that a man and a woman found dead late Thursday near Mason died in a murder-suicide.

A man and a woman were found dead in a home in the 400 block of Hanna Road late Thursday. Both were killed by gunshot wounds, police said.

Police this afternoon released the name of the man as Timothy Hendricks, 53. The name of the woman, who police said was 62 years old, was withheld pending notification of next of kin, officials said.

The Michigan State Police Crime Lab’s analysis confirmed that Hendricks shot and killed the woman, and then himself, police said.

Officials reported that they had been called to the address on numerous occasions to deal with attempted suicide situations. Hendricks and the woman had been divorced for about two years, but still lived together, according to police.

Police were called to the scene by Hendrick’s brother at about 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, after he stopped by the residence and saw one of the bodies through the window.

DeSoto, TX: Three Dead in DeSoto Shooting

Neighbor says a woman knocked on his door to ask for help
By Amanda Guerra and Omar Villafranca | Friday, Nov 25, 2011

Three people are dead after a shooting at a DeSoto home Friday afternoon.

A man shot his ex-girlfriend, her step-father and her sister's boyfriend at a home in the 1000 block of Oak Meadow Lane before turning the gun on himself, according to the DeSoto Police Department.

DeSoto police identified the victims as Autumn Carey, 25, her step-father Gerald Malone, 48, and her sister's boyfriend Adrian Jessie, 22.

Police said Carey's ex-boyfriend, Almonzo Henderson, 26, drove to DeSoto with a .380 caliber handgun. Police did find his car but it wasn't parked in front of the victims' home.

Henderson attempted to kill himself but didn't, he is in critical condition at a local hospital, according to police.

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Police said if he survives he will face capital murder charges. "We'll go after the needle," said DeSoto Police Capt. Ron Smith.

Carey's grandmother, Maggie Krause, said Carey and Henderson had been dating for six years and have two young children together. Krause said Carey would often tell family members she was afraid for her safety.

"He's beat her up a few times and he's threatened her," Krause said.

"She was afraid of him. Tried to leave him numerous times, but would always go back because she was afraid."

Krause said about a week ago, Carey came to her claiming she was ready to leave Henderson.

"She came to me and said she'd had enough. She didn't say she was scared, but that she'd had enough and I said 'fine.'"

Krause said Carey had been seeking refuge with relatives, but on Friday morning Henderson tracked her down at her parent's house in DeSoto.

"He kicks in the front door, goes in, has an argument, has a gun apparently. Shoots the first person then goes around and shoots the rest," said Capt. Ron Smith.

Krause, who was not at the house at the time, said the shooting took place in front of Carey and Henderson's children.

"He had no regard for Autumn, he had no regard for her family, he had no regard for these two little babies because now they don’t have any parents," Krause said.

Editor's Note: A previous version of this article indicated Adrian Jessie was Autumn Carey's current boyfriend, that Gerald Malone was Carey's father, that Henderson's first name was Alonzo and that he had driven to DeSoto from Oklahoma. NBC 5 has learned that the information, received from the DeSoto Police Department, was incorrect. The article was corrected with information from the family shortly before 10 p.m.

Bradenton, FL: Man kills ex-girlfriend, himself on Thanksgiving

BRADENTON, Fla. -- Manatee County authorities say a man killed his ex-girlfriend and then himself on Thanksgiving.
Deputies responded to a shooting Thursday evening. The sheriff's office told the Sarasota-Herald Tribune Friday ( http://bit.ly/uDrmzG) that 26-year-olds William Rolston and Lindsay Bellow were found dead of gunshot wounds.
The cause of the shooting has not yet been released, but authorities say Rolston shot his former girlfriend before shooting himself.

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Fauquier County, VA: Fauquier shooting scrutinized

Fauquier investigators are looking into apparent domestic dispute that left man dead and estranged wife critically wounded.

Date published: 11/23/2011

BY DONNIE JOHNSTON

Authorities continue to investigate a shooting in which a Fauquier County man was killed and his estranged wife critically wounded.

Judy Kay Deal, 57, remained in critical condition yesterday at Fairfax Inova Hospital with a gunshot wound to the head, according to a family member.

Her estranged husband, John Michael Deal, 60, died from a handgun shot to the torso, according to Fauquier County Sheriff's Lt. Jim Hartman.

Hartman said investigators don't think anyone else was involved in the shooting, but no charges had been filed as of yesterday.

Hartman said that authorities were called to John Deal's residence in the Orlean area about 4:30 p.m. Sunday after the couple's grown daughter, who lived with her father at the home, reported hearing gunshots.

They found John Deal dead and Judy Deal wounded.

Judy Deal's residence was listed as Amissville along the Culpeper/Rappahannock county line. For the past year, she had worked as a caretaker for an elderly woman in Culpeper.

John and Judy Deal were high school sweethearts in Rappahannock County, where they grew up. They married soon after she graduated Rappahannock High.

Family members said the couple had been separated for a number of years.

Sapula, OK: Sapulpa woman killed in early morning shooting

Sapulpa woman killed in early morning shooting

SAPULPA, Okla. - A woman was shot and killed in Sapulpa after a neighbor shot her through a front door early Thursday morning, police said.
Around 2 a.m. Sapulpa police were called to a home near South Poplar Street and West Goodykoontz Avenue in reference to a domestic altercation said Capt. Bret Bowling with the Sapulpa Police Department.
A man and a woman were arguing when the woman left the residence to seek help from a neighbor, Bowling said.
Bowling said the man then grabbed a gun and fired at least two shots, with one entering the neighbor’s front door.
When officers arrived they found a female victim shot once, Bowling said. She was later pronounced dead.
Police took the shooting suspect into custody on a domestic violence complaint.
The 31-year-old suspect will likely face a murder charge, Bowling said.
No names have been released.


Read more: http://www.kjrh.com/dpp/news/local_news/sapulpa-woman-killed-in-early-morning-shooting#ixzz1eePnoP00

Ross Township, OH: Police: Man fatally shot during domestic violence call

ROSS TOWNSHIP - A 33-year-old man was shot and killed late Tuesday after police said he pointed a long-barreled gun at officers who responded to a domestic violence call.

Michael Snader Jr., who lived at the address at 2426 School Road, died at the scene.

Township Police Officer Gary Vaughn, 51, who fired the shot, has been placed on temporary administrative leave, which is routine after police-involved shootings.

The shooting is under investigation by the Butler County Sheriff’s Office at the request of township police.

Township Police Chief Ben Kramer said it appeared Vaughn acted properly and within the department’s guidelines for use of force.

“It’s not something you ever want to happen, but you know as a police officer, you can face difficult decisions and actions at any time,” he said.

Officers were dispatched to the home shortly after 11:30 p.m. Tuesday for an active domestic violence call, Kramer said.

Dispatch records released by the sheriff’s office indicate that an unidentified woman called 911 from the address and told them “my husband has a gun.”

The woman was sobbing and a man could be heard in the background yelling that he was reloading the gun and was going to shoot the woman’s father and brother in the head when they pulled into the driveway.

As the township officers approached the house, they could see a woman and a man, later identified as Snader, holding a “long gun.”

Officers saw Snader, who was still armed, go into an attached garage and continued to observe him through a window, Kramer said.

The officers ordered Snader to drop his weapon. Vaughn shot Snader through the garage door when Snader raised the firearm and pointed it at one of the officers, Kramer said.

Vaughn, a police officer since 1982, has worked for Ross Township for six years. He was police chief in New Miami before the village disbanded the force in 2007 because of budget woes.

Ore City, TX: Ore City woman indicted on murder charge in husband's death

LONGVIEW, TX — An Ore City woman was indicted on two counts of murder Wednesday in the August shooting death of her husband.

Sharon Maxwell was charged with murder in late August after her husband, Gordon Maxwell, 46, of Ore City was found dead in a car on Texas 155 in August.

His body was found after authorities responded to a vehicle fire at a home on Texas 155, just north of the Ore City limits. Investigators found a body in the vehicle after the fire was extinguished. Officials described the condition of the body as "suspicious in nature." According to an autopsy issued by the Southwest Forensic Center in Dallas, Gordon Maxwell died from multiple gunshot wounds.

Article: Domestic Violence Rising

November 23, 2011
By Bryan Navarro


CENTRAL POINT, Ore. -- Tuesday's likely murder suicide is the fourth case of deadly domestic violence in the Rogue Valley.

Four cases and eight victims have died in Jackson County since January. Officials say what's most shocking is that in the past four months, there have been three deadly cases of domestic violence.

Early Tuesday morning, Makaila Upton was killed in a domestic dispute. In September, Jessica Bethany was murdered, Tabasha Paige Criado and her four children in July, and Bonnie Payne in March.

Community Works officials who help abuse victims say there's no clear reason for the increase in our area. They say in most cases when domestic violence turns deadly, it's because the aggressor feels like he may be losing control and wants to gain it back. Community Works officials also say many times we look at how the victim could have helped herself, but they say we should also be looking at how the aggressor is acting.

Medford Police say in recent years, there has been an increasing number homicides and domestic abuse cases. So far this year, there have been six homicides. Last year, there were five. During the four years before, there was an average of less than two per year.

Auburn, WA: Medical examiner releases names of couple found dead in apartment

By SHAWN SKAGER
Auburn Reporter Sports Reporter
NOVEMBER 23, 2011 · 2:08 PM

The King County Medical Examiner has released the names of the couple found dead this past week in an apparent murder/suicide.

Auburn police found Eck Lee, 64, and his domestic partner, Pong Kim, 65, in their apartment in the 900 block of 12th Street Southeast on Nov. 15.

According to the medical examiner’s office, Lee’s cause of death was asphyxia due to hanging. His death was ruled a suicide.Kim’s cause of death waits upon the completion of a toxicology report, which could take up to three-months, an Auburn police spokesman said.

According to Auburn Police Commander Jamie Sidell, officers responded to the apartment after someone called 911 to report having seen a body inside the residence. Police arrived at 1 p.m., Nov. 15 and found the bodies.

Sidell said that the police are not looking for any suspects.

“A warrant was served, and we’ve collected our evidence,” Sidell said. “There are no suspects we’re looking for at this time. It appears to be a domestic incident. The couple had a domestic relationship – we don’t know if they were married – and there were no signs of an intruder.”

Sidell added that the police have no previous records of domestic incidents involving the couple.

Fayetteville, NC: Police: 2 women killed in shooting at NC home

Posted: Thursday, Nov. 24, 2011
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. Police in Fayetteville have arrested a man following an investigation into the shooting deaths of his girlfriend and her cousin.

Sgt. Gary Womble says Jermaine Johnson was charged Thursday with two counts of first-degree murder.

He's accused of shooting his girlfriend, Benita McMillan, and her cousin, Tierra Underwood, Wednesday night at a Fayetteville apartment complex.

It couldn't be immediately determined Thursday if Johnson has a lawyer.

Womble says there were three children in the apartment, but none of them appear to have been physically harmed.

Police have not yet determined what may have led to the shooting. Womble says the investigation remains open.

Oklahoma City, OK: Woman dead, man critical after domestic shooting in northwest Oklahoma City

Oklahoma City police are investigating a shooting that killed one woman Thursday morning. Officers said they think her boyfriend shot and killed her before shooting himself. The man, who has not been identified, is in critical condition.

BY TIFFANY GIBSON Staff Writer tgibson@opubco.com
Published: November 24, 2011
An ongoing domestic dispute turned deadly Thursday morning when police say a man shot and killed his girlfriend before turning the gun on himself in northwest Oklahoma City.


Staff Sgt. Keith Cornman said officers received a 911 call from a child about 7:30 a.m. Thursday about a shooting at a home in the 5900 block of Gaelic Glen Drive. He said officers arrived and found a woman who had been fatally shot inside a home.
The woman was lying in the hallway of the home, unresponsive. Police said they found her boyfriend in the bathroom with what appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Cornman said the man is still alive but was taken to OU Medical Center in critical condition.
He said officers were called out to the home Wednesday night because of a domestic dispute. He said the woman returned Thursday morning to pick up her things when the shooting occurred.
At least three children were at the home, but Cornman said it doesn't appear they witnessed the shooting.
Names of the man and woman are being held pending notification of family members.

St. Paul, MN: St. Paul man killed, woman blinded in rampage

Article by: ANTHONY LONETREE , Star Tribune Updated: November 21, 2011 - 8:42 PM
A son told police that the suspect had accused his wife of infidelity, then stabbed her and a man staying at the house.

A St. Paul man who suspected his wife was cheating on him slashed a man's throat, killing him, and stabbed his wife in the eyes, blinding her, in attacks Saturday morning in his North End area apartment, according to charges filed Monday.

Authorities say Pah Ber, 48, fatally stabbed Po Lye, 40, of Albert Lea, after he found Lye in the apartment when he returned home from drinking and playing cards about 6 a.m. Saturday.

Ber allegedly told police that Lye had suggested previously that the couple and Lye sleep together.

But the couple's 21-year-old son told police that Lye was there that morning because Lye and the son were friends, and Lye had asked the son if he could stay overnight, according to the charges filed in Ramsey County District Court.

The son said his father always accused his mother, Paw Pree, 40, of being unfaithful, the charges say. Prior to the attack on Lye, the son added, Ber asked Pree if she was going to "love that guy."

He stabbed Lye in the stomach, and then chased him around the apartment, inflicting additional stab wounds, according to the charges.

Pree fled to her bedroom, and locked the door, but Ber broke in, and stabbed her "numerous times, including several times in her eyes, blinding her," the complaint states. A child led her out of the apartment when Ber retreated to the kitchen to sharpen the knife, the charges say.

Pree told police that Lye denied wanting to be with her, and that Lye told Ber "that he just wanted to get some rest and would then leave," the complaint states.

Ber has been charged with second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder.

Authorities have encountered difficulties finding Lye's relatives. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 651-266-5650 or the county medical examiner at 651-266-1700.

Anthony Lonetree • 612-875-0041

Milwaukee, WI: Woman charged with stabbing boyfriend

Natisha E. Goodman, 19, was charged Wednesday with second-degree reckless homicide with a dangerous weapon in the stabbing death of her boyfriend.

According to the criminal complaint, she and the boyfriend, Darryl Ramsey, 34, had been drinking and arguing. Ramsey grabbed her by the throat, and Goodman said a black steak knife she had stashed above the TV "slid into her hand." Goodman told police she stabbed Ramsey once in the heart as he "choke slammed" her.

Goodman and Ramsey lived in the 2300 block of N. 15th St.

Goodman is being held at the Milwaukee County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bail.

La Puente, CA: 3 killed in shooting at La Puente home

LA PUENTE, Calif. -- Two men and a woman died in a Thanksgiving eve shooting at a suburban Los Angeles County home, in what authorities said was likely a murder-suicide carried out by the woman's ex-boyfriend.

Neighbors reported seeing a man drive up to the well-kept home in La Puenta on Wednesday and walk inside carrying a rifle, Councilman David Argudo said. Moments later, gunshots were heard.

Responding deputies found three bodies with gunshot wounds, Lt. Mary Leef said. The names of the victims were not immediately released.

Two residents of the home, a woman in her 50s and her boyfriend, were killed, Argudo said.

The other man found dead was believed to be the woman's ex-boyfriend, Argudo said. He is suspected of killing the couple and then fatally shooting himself.

Investigators were working to confirm whether it was a murder-suicide, Leef said, adding that there was no active search for a shooter. Family members and neighbors were being interviewed by homicide detectives.

The couple lived at the home with the woman's three grandchildren, who are between 3 and 5 years old. The children were home at the time of the shooting but were unharmed, Argudo said. They were taken away by deputies.

La Puente is about 25 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles.

Pembroke, NH: Judge upholds charge in fatal Pembroke shooting

HOOKSETT, N.H.—A Pembroke, N.H., man has failed to convince a judge that he should be charged with manslaughter instead of second-degree murder in the death of his girlfriend.

The Concord Monitor reports ( http://bit.ly/rAM913) that a judge on Wednesday upheld the second-degree murder charge against 48-year-old Dale Collinge, who fatally shot Karen Boelzner in the head Nov. 13. Judge Robert LaPoint says prosecutors have sufficiently argued that Collinge showed a blatant disregard for the risk of death even though he fired what he thought was an unloaded gun.

Collinge's lawyer had argued that the state only had enough evidence to charge him with the lesser crime of manslaughter, which applies when someone acts recklessly. The case now goes to a grand jury for possible indictment.

Shreveport, LA: Man killed in apparent home invasion

A man was shot and killed this morning after he broke into his ex-girlfriend's apartment in west Shreveport, police say.

The man, Edward J. Willliams, was shot in an apartment in the 9000 block of Walker Road after he kicked in the door of the apartment occupied by his former girlfriend, her current boyfriend and two small children, a report from the Shreveport Police Department said.

Officers responded to the apartment after getting a call at 2:39 a.m. that a man the woman knew was kicking in the door. On arrival, the officers found the intruder with a single gunshot wound to his head. He was pronounced dead at the scene, the release said.

Witnesses told detectives the intruder aggressively approached the current boyfriend, who was armed with a handgun and fired several shots at his assailant.

No charges have been filed in connection with the shooting, police said, but the matter will be turned over to the Caddo Parish District Attorney's office for review.

Carmel, NY: NYer sentenced for wife's poisoning death

CARMEL, N.Y. — A suburban New York man has been sentenced to three to nine years in prison for the poisoning death of his wife.

Michael E. Kovacs of Lake Carmel was sentenced this week in Putnam County Court.

According to the Journal News (http://lohud.us/rMaE53 ), police said Kovacs slipped a substance into soft drinks that he served his wife last June.

Doctors determined Josephine Kovacs died of methanol poisoning. The substance is often found in antifreeze and solvents.

Michael Kovacs pleaded guilty to manslaughter in exchange for the sentence.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Napa, CA: Man Jailed After Family Dog Killed, Police Say

Police say suspect Rito Garcia also attacked his roommate. Arrest information does not indicate a conviction.
By Marsha Dorgan Email the author November 22, 2011



Around 9:45 Monday morning,NPD Officers responded to a threats call in the 2400 block of Old Sonoma Road.

Officers learned Rito Garcia, 61, had killed the family dog and threatened to kill other family members.

Garcia also physically attacked a roommate by choking him, according to the police log.

Garcia was booked for making criminal threats, assault with a deadly weapon and animal cruelty.

Kingman, AZ: Deadly Kingman hit-and-run preceded by violent conflicts

KINGMAN - The mother of a man run over and killed Monday said her son had had several confrontations with the man now charged with his death.

Michael Rivera, 47, was booked into the Mohave County Jail on first-degree murder charges for running over Nickolaus Gerenscer Monday in front of the home Gerenscer lived in with Rivera's stepdaughter in the 2100 block of Valentine Avenue.

Gerenscer is 23 contrary to previous reports by police that said he was 21.

Renee Ceniceros, the mother of Gerenscer, said she currently has custody of her son and his girlfriend's 1-year-old child. She said her son and Rivera have a history of confrontations in the past.

Police confirmed that they responded to Rivera's home in the 2200 block of Kingman Avenue on the morning of Oct. 12 in response to an argument between Rivera, Gerenscer and Ceniceros, which Ceniceros said stemmed from an argument over custody of the baby.

Kingman Police Capt. Rusty Cooper said police responded around 11:25 a.m. after Gerenscer reported that Rivera pulled out a knife and threatened him.

There was also a dispute between Rivera and Ceniceros.

Police said they did not press charges because of conflicting statements made by each party, lack of cooperation among the individuals and the fact that no independent witnesses were available.

Cooper added that police have had multiple contacts with Rivera and Gerenscer recently.

Both families have made allegations against the other, with Rivera's family saying that Gerenscer was abusive to his girlfriend and Gerenscer's family making the same allegations against Rivera. Police said they are still trying to sort out the different versions of what led to Rivera allegedly running over Gerenscer twice Monday morning following an argument between Gerenscer and his girlfriend.

Ceniceros said her son worked at Sonic Drive-In and loved playing videos games.

She said she wished police had done more during the previous confrontations between her son and Rivera.

"It should have never gone this far," she said. "Now my son is gone."

Wilmington, NC: Wife of 2010 murder victim charged with his death

Submitted by WWAY on Wed, 11/23/2011 - 12:03pm.
READ MORE: News New Hanover County News Carmine Bruno Crime Dennis Roy Mary Douglass Bruno Murder
1
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) -- The New Hanover County District Attorney's office says the wife of a man killed last year has now been charged with his death.

Mary Douglass Bruno was arrested this morning on charges of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder in connection with the death of Carmine Anthony Bruno in January 2010. Mary Bruno was previously charged with accessory after the fact to first-degree murder.

The DA's office says in a statement that Mary Bruno's arrest is based on evidence collected over the last several months and information from the trial of Dennis Benjamin Roy. A jury convicted Roy last week for the baseball bat beating death of Carmine Bruno. A judge sentenced Roy to life in prison.

Mary Bruno is set to make her first court appearance this afternoon.

Myrtle Beach, SC: Former Pittsburgh Resident Accused Of Killing Wife In Myrtle Beach

Posted: 2:02 pm EST November 23, 2011
Updated: 2:11 pm EST November 23, 2011

MYRTLE BEACH, SC -- A man who is originally from the Pittsburgh-area is accused of killing his wife in Myrtle Beach, SC.
Investigators said 48-year-old James Lippert admitted to killing his wife after an argument while her blood was still on his hands.
Horry County police answering a domestic disturbance call around 8:30 p.m. Monday found 39-year-old Marsella Lippert with severe wounds to her face and cuts on her arms.
Authorities say James Lippert was found with blood on his hands and shorts and told officers that he had just killed his wife.
Officers found the couple's children, ages 5 and 8, hiding in a bathroom. They say they heard screaming, but didn't see the killing.
Lippert is charged with murder and was being held at the Horry County jail. It wasn't clear if he had an attorney.

Carol Stream, IL: Carol Stream man now charged with wife's murder

By Josh Stockinger
A Carol Stream man accused of repeatedly stabbing his wife after he came home to find her packing up his belongings was indicted Tuesday on murder charges following the woman's death Monday, prosecutors said.

Clifford Bolden, 35, was charged with the first-degree murder of 42-year-old Hope Taylor, who had been hospitalized since the attack last month.

Police said the couple began arguing in their apartment on the 600 block of East Gundersen Drive early Oct. 19. Bolden left at some point, but returned a short time later to find Taylor stuffing his belongings into bags, authorities said.

Prosecutors said Bolden stabbed Taylor at least twice in the chest and head with what they believe was a kitchen knife.

Two of Taylor's teenage sons told police they saw Bolden run off with a knife after the attack. Carol Stream Police Cmdr. Ken George said Bolden went to a strip mall at Schmale and St. Charles roads and called 911 from an undisclosed business at roughly 6:45 a.m.

“Basically, he said he was stabbed,” George said. “Self-defense was what he was claiming.”

Investigators continue to search for the murder weapon. Earlier this month, police drained a retention pond near Schmale and St. Charles roads, and scoured areas between the couple's apartment and the strip mall where Bolden called 911. Both searches came up empty.

No further searches are immediately planned, George said, but police remain hopeful they can recover the knife.

“We believe it came from inside the house,” he said. “We just haven't been able to find it yet.”

Taylor underwent surgery and had been receiving treatment at Central DuPage Hospital for a collapsed lung and cut to her face, according to police.

DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said her death Monday was “disheartening.”

“According to the FBI, 1,400 women lose their lives to domestic violence each year,” Berlin said. “Sadly, Hope Taylor never recovered from the injuries she sustained ... and joined these 1,400 victims of domestic violence.”

Bolden's prior criminal record includes vehicular hijacking, prosecutors have said. He is also a registered sexual predator, convicted of sexually abusing a minor between the ages of 13 and 16 in Cook County when he was 22, state records show. Prosecutors said Bolden is scheduled for arraignment on Wednesday. In addition to first-degree murder, he faces charges of aggravated domestic abuse and armed violence.

Bolden remained jailed Tuesday on $750,000 bail.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Shady Cove, OR: Police call shooting murder-suicide

SHADY COVE, Ore. -- Dick Traugh is trying to hold it together.

Tuesday morning, the man learned his grandson -- 36-year-old Dewayne Upton -- was dead in what police are calling a murder-suicide.

Police responded to shots fired at a home near Highway 62 around 2:30 a.m. When they arrived, they found 30-year-old Makiala Lynn Upton shot. Police say the woman was dead at the scene.

At that time, police believed the shooter was on the loose and deputies began searching for the man.

Hours after the initial call, police found Upton's body near the Rogue River. Police say there was a hand gun nearby.

Before police found Upton's body, Traugh said his grandson had called him.

"He said he killed his wife and he was going to hurt himself," Traugh said, adding that Upton was emotional. "...He hated that he did it."

Traugh said he never expected this from his grandson.

Cleveland, OH: Police Say Murder Victim was Shot Multiple Times

By Bill Sheil | bill.sheil@fox8.com
Fox 8 News Reporter
5:57 p.m. EST, November 21, 2011

CLEVELAND— Authorities have found two people dead inside an east side home -- the possible result of a murder suicide.

The medical examiner's office identifies the woman who is dead as 31 year-old Rana Peale of Cleveland. She died of multiple gunshot wounds.

An unidentified man was also found inside the home, dead from a single gunshot wound to the chest.

Peale's family raced to the scene outside the police tape in front of her home.

They say she was the victim of a murder-suicide carried out by an ex-boyfriend with whom she shares a young daughter.

"He threatened her life just last week," says Rachun Young, a member of Peale's family.

Tony Mayo, Peale's brother-in-law, says she sought a restraining order in recent days.

"The office down there said we had to wait until he did something before we could file a restraining order," Mayo says.

Police said it was early in their investigation, and they had no information yet on the victim possibly seeking such an order.

Miami, FL: Woman Shot Inside Miami Gardens Restaurant

Police looking for gunman who opened fire at restaurant
By Gaby Carpio and Ari Odzer | Tuesday, Nov 22, 2011

Ari Odzer/NBCMiami.com

Police respond to the Casa Latina restaurant in Miami Gardens after a woman was shot inside.

Miami-Dade Police are investigating after a woman was shot and killed inside a Miami Gardens restaurant Tuesday morning.

The shooting happened at 10:27 a.m. at the Casa Latina Restaurant at 19541 Northwest 57th Avenue.

Police identified the suspect as Reinaldo Cabrera, 51, but didn't disclose the nature of their relationship. He has not been located so far.

Police said initial reports were that a man shot the woman, possibly his wife or girlfriend, inside the restaurant before fleeing the scene.

Greensboro, NC: Cops: Bitter ending to affair led woman to kill 2, wound 4 others near Greensboro, NC

By Associated Press, Published: November 21 | Updated: Tuesday, November 22, 12:55 AM

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Mary Ann Holder wanted to see her married former flame one last time as their bitter love triangle threatened to open a new and potentially costly chapter in court.

The meeting ended with Randall Lamb, 40, being shot and Holder, 36, taking her own life Sunday. Later, police found that Holder gunned down five children, including her two sons and the older boy’s girlfriend. Two of the five died, and three others were listed in critical condition Monday.

Investigators were trying to unravel the violent chain of events and understand why Holder took out her rage on children. Holder left notes taking responsibility for the shootings and apologizing for the pain she was causing, Guilford County Sheriff BJ Barnes said. The notes also indicate Holder was angry about how her relationship with Lamb ended.

“They were obviously shot for the purpose of killing them. You can call it an execution, you can call it a shooting, you can call it whatever you want. The result is the same,” he said. “We may never know exactly what her thoughts were and why.”

Investigators said Holder and Lamb had been having an affair for almost four years and it was grinding to an acrimonious end.

In February, Lamb’s wife, Jennifer, sought a court order to keep Holder away from her and her husband. Jennifer Lamb stated in the complaint that Holder would constantly call and text their cell phones and that Holder also sent nude pictures of herself. In June, Holder filed restraining orders against Lamb and his wife, saying they stalked and harassed her and that Lamb constantly drove past her house.

Authorities said Lamb agreed to meet Holder at a community college parking lot around 9 a.m. Sunday. His wife was about to file an alienation of affection lawsuit against Holder. North Carolina law allows a married person to sue the person with whom his or her spouse had an affair.

Holder shot at him multiple times and hit him once in the shoulder, the sheriff said. Lamb called his wife, who reported the shooting to 911 dispatchers. He was in stable condition on Monday.

Holder then drove off to pick up her 14-year-old son. Phone records indicate that about 45 minutes later, Zachary Smith was sending a text message thanking his hosts for letting him stay over the previous night.

Nearly half an hour later, a sheriff’s deputy on the lookout for Holder’s black SUV drove past it and turned around after seeing what he thought was a puff of smoke inside the vehicle. Holder was found dead inside with a gunshot to the head, and Zachary critically wounded was in the SUV’s back seat. Deputies recovered two handguns inside the vehicle, one in Holder’s lap, the sheriff said.

The officers then went into Holder’s home in the Pleasant Garden community south of Greensboro and found her son, 17-year-old Robert Dylan Smith, dead. Smith’s girlfriend, Makayla Woods, 15, and Holder’s nephew, Richard Suttles, 17, were also shot inside the home and were in critical condition Monday. Holder’s niece, Hannaleigh Suttles. 8, died Monday.

The victims appeared to have been shot while they slept in a bedroom and the home’s living room, said Barnes’s chief deputy, Col. Randy Powers.

Holder’s decision to take in her dead sister’s children appeared to add to the pressures of what appeared to be a life in turmoil, neighbor Teresa Scott said.

“Why would you take them children, keep them children, when your life’s rocky, up and down?” said Scott, who said Holder began renting the home across the street about four years ago.

Holder’s children were kind and vigilant toward the elderly couple across the road, Teresa Scott said. They volunteered to help with yard maintenance and inquired about the health of her husband, Joe, who has had recent health problems.

In the past, Lamb also appeared to like Holder’s children, Teresa Scott said. “They’d pack up things and go places together,” she said.

But it was also clear the affair between Holder and Lamb had become rancorous, Teresa Scott said. Robert Smith posted no trespassing signs on trees in the front yard this year in response to the rising level of tension between Holder and Lamb, Scott said.

No one answered the door at Lamb’s home or at the homes of neighbors at the end of long driveways.

The multiple shootings stunned law officers, Barnes said.

“We’ve got death. We’ve got drama. We’ve got a situation basically no one could ever imagine,” Barnes said.

Auburn, NY: Auburn man charged with killing ex-girlfriend

Justin Murphy and Nate Robson / The Citizen | Posted: Tuesday, November 22, 2011 3:30 am | (1)
Auburn resident Ryan Brahney is escorted into Cayuga County Court Monday, where he pleaded not guilty to stabbing former girlfriend Bridget Bell to death earlier in the day. Auburn police said Brahney and Bell had a history of domestic violence leading up to Monday's arrest.

Police accused Ryan Brahney, 39, of repeatedly stabbing 29-year-old Bridget Bell with a knife after breaking into her apartment at 115 Olympia Terrace.
Authorities first heard of the incident through a 1:14 a.m. 911 call made by a family member living with Brahney at 128 VanAnden St. in Auburn, said Lt. Shawn Butler of the Auburn Police Department.
Butler would not identify the family member, but said the person was alarmed by Brahney’s demeanor and was worried about Bell.
Police went to the Olympia Terrace apartment and found Bell’s body in a downstairs room, he said. Upstairs, the couple’s 3-year-old son, Finn Brahney, was sleeping and unharmed.
Officers were dispatched simultaneously to 128 VanAnden St., where they found Brahney and arrested him without incident, Butler said. It appears that the incident had already taken place when the 911 call came in.
Police have responded to domestic violence calls involving the couple prior to Monday, Butler said.
In August, Brahney was issued a “refrain from” order of protection, which allowed him to have contact with Bell and his child but cautioned him against harassment, Butler said.
Brahney was sentenced to five to 15 years in prison for first-degree assault after severely beating a man with a baseball bat when he was 23 years old.
During a 1995 drug dispute on Fort Street in Auburn, Brahney struck the man in the face repeatedly, breaking every bone in his face, according to The Citizen’s archives.
“I think Mr. Brahney is a very dangerous man and nearly beat the victim to death,” former Cayuga County District Attorney James Vargason said at the time. “The attack was vicious and violent.”
He was released to parole on four different occasions but was recommitted each time for violations: twice for using cocaine, once for attempting to forge a drug test sample and once, in 2009, for releasing two pit bulls on his parole officers, according to state parole records.
Also in 2009, Brahney was convicted of assault after breaking Bell’s jaw and preventing her from calling 911, according to the district attorney’s office.
He was released for good in March after maxing out the original five- to 15-year sentence.
Brahney had a pending domestic violence case in local family court for allegedly violating an order of protection July 6 by getting into an argument with Bell and breaking a table.
“They had a history of domestic violence, and this was probably just another tragic domestic homicide,” Butler said. “Unfortunately that’s becoming too common here.”
Brahney pleaded not guilty in Cayuga County Court Monday to second-degree murder, first-degree criminal contempt and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, all felonies.
Additional charges are pending, Butler said.
Judge Thomas Leone also granted custody of Brahney and Bell’s child to Colleen Bell, Bridget Bell’s mother, and remanded Brahney to jail without bail.
Attorney Michele Driscoll, who represents 3-year-old Finn Brahney, said the mother and son were afraid of Brahney. Colleen Bell added that on several occasions Finn said he did not want to visit his father.
Brahney opposed the custody decision in court and blamed Bell’s family for problems in their relationship.
“That’s furthest from the truth,” Brahney said, referring to Driscoll’s comments. “I go down to see him every day ... They (Bell’s family) don’t belong with my son. They are going to ruin him. They already ruined him.”
In court, Brahney had bandages on both wrists and hands, and wore booties similar to medical scrubs on his feet. Butler said police believe Brahney’s hands were injured during the crime, but would not elaborate. Brahney’s clothing and shoes were also seized as evidence.
Defense attorney Jon Strods, who represented Brahney at Monday’s arraignment and in family court, did not return phone calls seeking comment.
Brahney’s mother, Betty Brahney, answered the door at 128 VanAnden St. Monday morning but declined to comment.
Ted and Tanya Hastings live across the street from Bell and said they were good friends with her and Brahney for many years.
Tanya Hastings said Bell was a good person and a good mother.
“She was very outgoing and a lot of fun to be with,” Tanya Hastings said.
She described the 3-year-old boy as “energetic” and “awesome.”
According to Ted Hastings, Bell and Brahney dated on and off for about three years, going back to the birth of their son.
Brahney told Hastings he was attending anger management classes, and realized he had a problem with violence.
“Honest to God, Ryan had a good side to him when they weren’t fighting,” he said. “He had a real good side to him.”
The Hastings and others warned Bell to stay away from Brahney.
“We’ve all talked to her,” Ted Hastings said. “She stayed away from him as far as we know, but he kept coming around and coming around. She’d talk to us and say, ‘Man, he’s going to hurt me.’ She was afraid of him.
The Hastings had Bell and Brahney together at their home Saturday night just hours before the alleged murder.
Brahney told Ted Hastings that he was upset and that he and Bell were fighting again, Hastings said, but there was no indication of what would happen later that night.
“The problems they had, I don’t know,” Hastings said. “The whole thing’s just senseless.”
Bell worked most recently in the restaurant at Skaneateles Country Club.
Lynne Sweet, the club’s food and beverage manager, called her “a great employee, loved by members and staff alike.”
The investigation into Bell’s death is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Douglas Parker at 255-4726 or the Auburn Police Department at 253-3231.
Brahney is the third person to be charged with a domestic related murder this year in Cayuga County. Michael Gallow, of Scipio, was sentenced to 22-years to life in prison for shooting his father, Bernard Gallow, to death during an argument at their family home in March.
Auburn resident David McNamara was charged with strangling or suffocating former girlfriend Katie Socci to death in June. That charge was dismissed last week after a judge ruled that the district attorney’s office violated his right to testify at a grand jury hearing. That decision will either be appealed or the case will be re-presented to the grand jury for another indictment. McNamara remains in custody though, as he is serving a five-year prison sentence for giving drugs to a friend.


Read more:

Midland, MI: Isabella County man jailed in wife's death

Posted: Monday, November 21, 2011 11:37 am
A Weidman man is jailed on an open murder charge after a domestic dispute and the disappearance of
his wife and son over the weekend, the Isabella County Sheriff's Office reports.
Sheriff Leo Miodus]ewski reports that Jason Lant] Fish, 35, was arrested early this morning in
connection with the killing of his wife, Stephanie Rochelle Fish, 34. Her body was found at their
North Rolland Road home. It appears that she was shot.
The Michigan State Police Crime Lab was called to the home to collect evidence, and an autopsy for
Stephanie Fish will be scheduled for today or Tuesday.
Deputies sei]ed a .22-caliber rifle as possible evidence in the case.
Deputies had been searching for Stephanie Fish and the couple's 4-year-old son, Brody, since Sunday.
They were last seen about 7:30 p.m. Friday, the same day the husband and wife became involved in a
domestic dispute. Stephanie Fish and Brody were the subject of an Amber Alert over the weekend,
according to the sheriff's office. At the time, Jason Fish was wanted as a person of interest.
Sunda\, Jason Fish and Brody were found safe in Genesee County after a traffic stop made as a result
of the Amber Alert. They were taken back to Isabella County to speak with investigators. The child is
staying with a family member.

Monday, November 21, 2011

Article: Domestic killings up as 2011 heads into holidays

By: Scott McCabe | 11/20/11 8:05 PM
Examiner Staff Writer Follow Him @Scott_McCabe

The violence could be about to get worse. Studies have shown that stress associated with holidays increases domestic disputes and domestic violence. Prolonged time with the family, buying gifts or trying to make the perfect meal are added stressors.

Mix in alcohol and drugs, and you've got a recipe for family violence.

Hannah Sassoon, Montgomery County's domestic violence coordinator, said she sees more severe abuse toward the end of the year, especially in cases where there's been a breakup or a woman has had to flee the relationship.

"The idea of a family separating during the holiday becomes more traumatic," Sassoon said. "It becomes harder to deal with for people under a great deal of stress."

Domestic trouble in D.C.
• Metropolitan Police Department received more than 31,000 domestic violence-related calls in 2010 -- about 1 every 17 minutes.
• 5,465 people received help at the District's domestic violence intake centers in 2010, up 15 percent from 2009.
• In 2010, the number of 18-to-21 year olds getting social services related to domestic violence increased by almost 25 percent.
Sources: MPD and D.C. Coalition Against Domestic Violence
That appears to have been the case for Tawanna Barnes-Copeland. The 41-year-old Georgetown University Hospital employee was killed by her ex-boyfriend, Shawn Davis, last December after she asked him to take care of her apartment while she spent Thanksgiving in North Carolina.

Davis, 37, admitted to being hurt by their breakup, and friends said he had previously smashed the headlights and taillights of Barnes-Copeland's car, flattened her tires and sent her angry texts.

She had not reported the incidents to law enforcement officials, police said.

On Dec. 7, Barnes-Copeland was found dead in her bed with 10 stab wounds to the chest and neck.

Barnes-Copeland, like many victims of domestic violence that turned deadly, had never reported any of the incidents to law enforcement.

Related story
On Thanksgiving, think of the victims of domestic violence
"Silence is deadly," Sassoon said.

Davis pleaded guilty to second-degree murder earlier this month. Davis admitted that he was angry that Barnes-Copeland still called him and asked him for favors, yet she did not want to be in a relationship with him. He faces a maximum of life in prison.

Studies show that incidents of domestic violence in the United States go up 22 percent on Thanksgiving, 17 percent on Christmas, 32 percent on New Year's Eve and 19 percent on New Year's Day.

Sarah Jones, of the Family Crisis Center in Prince George's County, said incidents of violence go up during the entire yuletide season, not just on the actual holidays.

"Money is short, bills have to be paid," Jones said. "People go to [the] store and see people happily buying things that they can't afford. It pushes some people over the limit."

smccabe@washingtonexaminer.com

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Sanford, FL: Couple found dead in Sanford home

Updated: Saturday, 12 Nov 2011, 7:31 PM EST
Published : Saturday, 12 Nov 2011, 7:16 PM EST
By Valerie Boey
FOX 35 News
Sanford, Florida-It was just before midnight when neighbors on Bullion Loop in Sanford, got a rude awakening, "I was sleeping and the police came and knocked on the door. My grandson Cory says, get up get up, gotta get out of the house and we were stunned. So we threw our clothes on and went to my daughter's across the street."

Janice Landfair and her daughter Debbie wondered what was happening in the house across the way. Officers say they heard a gun shot and then evacuated neighbors, "We saw the cops in shooting position, they made us go out through the garage all bent down. We thought someone was on the loose." But inside this home, cops discovered 41 year old Bryan Coffin and his 43 year old wife Rocio dead, "Oh my God it was horrifying, scary. It was horrifying."
Investigators say they had been to the couple's home before, on a domestic violence call, "We have one documented DV incident from several months ago we're looking into that." Cops tell us, they were shot to death, but won't say if it was a murder suicide, "This is really shocking."
Janice and Debbie say, they were a nice couple who were friendly to their neighbors, "He'd always says to me hi Jancie how are you? And I'd wave to him and he would cut the lady's grass across the street and was always very pleasant. His wife would walk the dogs. Never heard any problems always friendly."
Neighbors say the wife was upset about something but wouldn't say what. Deputies are still trying to determine why the shooting occurred.