When Domestic Abuse Escalates to Murder

 Posted on November 08, 2016 in Family Law

Just under 250 miles from Chicago, Illinois, a local Greensburg, Indiana man had a plan, but instantaneously may have taken domestic violence crime one step beyond the norm. With an engagement ring in his possession, he visited his girlfriend’s home with the intention of proposing but when the woman replied negatively he grabbed a known firearm located in a bedroom nightstand and killed his girlfriend with one fatal shot to her temple. The man has since turned himself into the Greensburg police department and now stands accused of the fatal shooting of his girlfriend. As per the official affidavit, the investigation is ongoing with regard to intent, motive, and timeline.

This case may appear to deviate from the classic cycle of domestic abuse, but abuse can be defined as an indicated behavior that is inflicted upon a woman or a man by a person with whom she or he is involved in an intimate relationship. Although it has not been confirmed if there was a substantiated history or cycle of domestic abuse in this relationship, a recent American Medical Association (AMA) report states that every five years as many women are killed by their intimate partners - 54,000 - as there were lives lost during the entire Vietnam War.

It may be interesting to note the progression of this case. Perhaps a charge of manslaughter will be passed but it may also raise new questions regarding the definition of stricter gun control laws or perhaps a new adaptation of domestic violence definitions. No matter how this case will be prosecuted, for those residing the 250 miles west of Indiana in Illinois, established definitions and protection options are fully disclosed under the Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986 (750 ILCS 60).

If you fear that you have been caught in the cycle of domestic violence, the experienced Hinsdale domestic violence attorneys of the Law Offices of Martoccio & Martoccio are ready to lend a legal lifeline. With over 75 years of combined legal experience, our legal team will evaluate your situation and take any measures necessary to protect your safety. Contact us today at 630-920-8855 to schedule your initial consultation.

Sources:

https://www.yahoo.com/news/m/9d23e049-9f46-3528-90b8-b6f3533c6943/ss_a-woman-turned-down-her.html

http://www.dvipiowa.org/myths-facts-about-domestic-violence/

http://www.isp.state.il.us/crime/domesticviol.cfm

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs5.asp?ActID=2100&ChapterID=59