Articles Posted in Domestic Violence

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William Shakespeare once told us that a rose by any other name would smell as sweet. His point was “What’s in a name?” A gentleman from Chicopee, Massachusetts, apparently agrees with him. In Chicopee, he is known as Felix Maldonado. In Waterbury, Connecticut, however, he was known as Alfredo “Eddie” Gonzalez. But to us, as well as the criminal justice system, he is now known as the Defendant.

The Defendant, 43, is currently being held without bail in Connecticut, courtesy of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, where his various identities were finally meshed. He was returned to Connecticut in August to face 18 outstanding arrest warrants dating back to 1995 and 1996.

He had been alluding authorities for years by moving around and using a variety of aliases and birth dates, police said. After all, what good is a new identity without a new birthdate to go along with it?

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“Uncle Marky”, as he is known to Cape Cod children is in trouble again. He got shot by a Harwich police officer Monday night.

Court and police records describe Marcus M, whose last name has again been changed to “Defendant” as a violent and troubled soul. At the ripe old age of 29, he seems to have already displayed an impressive gift for criminal consistency.

Defendant is a Dennis-Yarmouth High School dropout and the father of one child. He is a Level 2 sex offender after his conviction in 1998 for raping a child, 13, with force, in a dugout at the youth league baseball field on Wixon Middle School grounds in Dennis in December of 1996. At the time, prosecutors said he already had a history of violence and was serving a suspended sentence for assault in Dennis.

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In New Bedford, Massachusetts, what appears to be a man walking with a figurative “Please Lock Me Up Forever” sign on his back is beating incredible odds.

The man, Allen Thurston, 36, is a convicted level 3 sex offender. After he allegedly assaulted his girlfriend, he was arraigned yesterday in New Bedford District Court on an assault and battery charge.

The prosecutor pressed the court to revoke Thurston’s bail; the judge would not do so. Police, naturally, are said to be “concerned” as to why his bail was set so low. Their reasons seem logical enough:

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According to today’s Lynn Item, Carmet Cruthird of Lynn was arraigned Friday on attempted murder charges after he allegedly stabbed a man outside a Liberty Street apartment building the day before. However, the circumstances appear a bit sketchy and are likely to not be resolved until the time of trial…which usually takes about a year.

Mr. Cruthird, a gentleman of 60 years, is said to have been involved in some kind of brawl which resulted in a stabbing. Gerald Nason, also of Lynn and 22 years of age, was the recipient of the knife’s blade. However, while law enforcement has labeled him the “victim” of this story, the facts leading up to the stabbing are apparently blurred. For example, one witness said that Cruthird was actually the one being assaulted by a small group of men when he pulled out a knife in self-defense. Other witnesses said that Nason was trying to break up a fight involving Cruthird and another person when he was stabbed.

Everybody seems to agree that the incident occurred around 9:30 p.m. outside of Cruthird’s apartment building.

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In Massachusetts, a Lowell father that pleaded guilty to assaulting his own son will serve 18-months in a house of correction and 5 years probation. Ty Chan entered his plea in Lowell Superior Court for assault and battery on a child causing serious bodily injury.

The incident occurred on the morning of November, 17, 2007. Lowell police were summoned to an apartment in Middlesex Street following a report of domestic assault. Chan’s 22-month-old son was there and bleeding. According to witnesses, Chan bit his son’s lip.

The 26-year-old Lowell resident says he took cocaine and ecstasy that day. He was arraigned two days after the incident.

Domestic Violence in Massachusetts
Physical violence inflicted on one family member by another is considered domestic violence. Massachusetts law makes it mandatory for law enforcement officers to arrest anyone accused of domestic violence-regardless of whether or not they are guilty of the crime. Many cases of domestic violence are not always what they seem, which is why it is important for the accused to get legal help as soon as possible.

Massachusetts Domestic Violence Statistics:

• There were 42 domestic violence-related murders in 2007.
• 13 suicides.
• There have been about 29 domestic violence-related deaths in Massachusetts (so far) in 2008.

Dad sent to jail in assault on baby, Boston.com, August 29, 2008
Dad Pleads Guilty To Biting Toddler Son’s Lip, WCBV.com

Related Web Resource:

General Laws of Massachusetts
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Actor Christian Bale was released on bail on Tuesday, after he was arrested earlier in the day following allegations that he assaulted his sister and mother. Bale has issued a statement denying the allegations.

The 34-year-old movie star was detained at the London police station in England following his arrest. Bale’s mother and sister are accusing him of assaulting them at the Dorchester Hotel, the day before the latest Batman movie, “The Dark Knight,” had its European premier in London. Police reportedly waited to question him until after the movie opened.

In Massachusetts, a threat of violence is considered an assault. No one actually has to have been physically hurt for an assault charge to be filed-the same goes for an assault and battery charge, which includes the physical contact of another person without his or her permission.

If you have been arrested for assault and/or battery in Massachusetts, you are entitled to proper legal protection and representation against all charges. Some incidents are not always what they seem, and our Boston, Massachusetts assault lawyers can determine whether the charges against you can be dropped or reduced. Even if you have not been charge with a crime, but you are under investigation or have been arrested, it is never too soon to hire an experienced criminal defense team that is on your side.

Domestic Violence
The physical or emotional assault of family members, domestic partners, and ex-spouses is considered domestic violence, which is punishable by criminal law. The best way to combat any Massachusetts assault charges or other allegations related to domestic violence is to speak with an experienced domestic violence lawyer.

State law considers domestic violence a misdemeanor crime unless someone is seriously injured. If a domestic violence report is filed against you with police in Massachusetts, law enforcement officers are legally mandated to arrest anyone accused of this crime.

Christian Bale denies assault allegations, USA Today, July 22, 2008
Batman Star Christian Bale Arrested in London, National Post, July 22, 2008

Related Web Resources:
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, Mass.gov
Domestic Violence
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Mark Jensen, the Wisconsin man charged with poisoning his wife in 1998 has been found guilty of first-degree murder. Sentencing will take place on Friday although his conviction comes with a mandatory life in prison sentence. The conviction by the jury came after members deliberated for over 30 hours.

Jensen’s wife, Julie, was founded dead in her bed in 1998. Poisoning by ethylene glycol was the cause of death. Police say she had been given multiple doses. Just 30 ml of ethylene glycol can be deadly. Evidence during the criminal also indicated that a pillow might have been used by Jensen to smother her.

Prior to her death, Julie wrote a letter placing blame on her husband in the event that anything happened to her. She gave the letter to a neighbor. She also had told her son’s teacher and police that she thought Jensen was attempting to murder her.

Jensen was charged with 1st-degree murder in 2002. According to prosecutors, he was having an affair and wanted to get rid of his wife. Jensen’s defense team said that Julie was depressed, tried to kill herself, and then blamed her husband.

Strict hearsay rules that allow defendants to confront their accusers had blocked Julie’s statements and her letter as evidence. The issue of whether or not Julie’s words could admitted as part of the case delayed Jensen’s criminal trial for several years.

A U.S. Supreme Court ruling compelled the Wisconsin Supreme Court to create an exception in this case so that Julie’s statements and letters could be admitted as a dying declaration of her state of mind when she died.

A couple of inmates testified that Jensen had admitted to killing his wife. One inmate testified that Jensen had asked him to kidnap a witness who was scheduled to testify.

A 2003 Massachusetts Domestic Violence Report by Jane Doe Inc. Lists several methods used for committing domestic violence homicide:

• Stabbing deaths • Fatal firearm injuries • Strangulation • Blunt trauma to head • Smothering the victim
Husband guilty of murder in ‘letter from grave’ case, CNN.com, February 21, 2008
Jury: Man Used Antifreeze to Kill Wife, AP, February 21, 2008
2003 Massachusetts Domestic Violence Homicide Report

Related Web Resources:

Read Judy Jensen’s Letter from the Grave, CNN.com
Ethylene Glycol, University of Cambridge Continue reading

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Authorities throughout the United States are on the lookout for Andrew Boisvert, a 37-year-old Bridgewater, Massachusetts resident. Boisvert, a Waltham paramedic, is a suspect in the murder of his ex-wife Margaret Ninos. Ninos and Boisvert have a 7-year-old daughter named Maggie.

Boisvert is currently on the run. The Norfolk District Attorney’s office issued the arrest warrant against Boisvert on Friday and the national alert on Saturday. Ninos, a 47-year-old Medfield resident and obstetrics nurse, died from fatal head injuries on February 6.

Friends and former colleagues say that Boisvert and Ninos were involved in a child custody dispute over their child. Ninos’s friends say that Boisvert didn’t see his daughter a lot. He had custody of his child one weekend a month and got to visit her one Wednesday a month. Boisvert wanted to increase his visitation rights. He had remarried and has another child.

Police say that on February 6, Boisvert called 911 and directed them to Ninos’s home, where the body was found. Law enforcement authorities questioned Boisvert but allowed him to leave the crime scene.

A 2003 report by Jane Doe Inc., (JDI) the Massachusetts Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence, considers domestic violence-related homicides to include any of the following:

• The homicide victim and perpetrator were former spouses or intimate partners, adults or teens with a child in common, or adults or teens in a current or former dating relationship.

• The homicide victim was a bystander or intervened in an attempted domestic violence homicide and was killed (including friends, family members, new intimate partners, law enforcement officers or other professionals attempting to assist the victim of domestic violence, roommates and co-workers).

• The motive for the murder was reported to have included jealousy, in the context of an intimate partner or dating relationship.

• A relationship existed between the homicide perpetrator and adult or teen victim that could be defined as exhibiting a pattern of power and control (including family or household members and caregivers).

Nationwide alert issued for Medfield murder suspect, Daily News Tribune, February 11, 2008
Pals say slain woman battled ex over custody issues, BostonHerald.com, February 11, 2008
Slain Medfield mom’s ex on run from police, BostonHerald.com, February 10, 2008
Arrest warrant issued in murder of Medfield mother, BostonHerald.com, February 9, 2008

Related Web Resource:

2003 Massachusetts Domestic Violence Homicide Report
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New England Patriots Football Player Randy Moss says he did not commit battery against the 35-year-old woman who has filed a temporary restraining order against him.

Rachelle Washington is accusing Moss, who she says she had an intimate relationship with, of battery, causing her serious injury, and denying her medical attention during a domestic violence incident that allegedly took place at her Florida home on January 6.

Moss says that Washington just wants to him to give her money. He says that Washington was injured but the injury was accidental. He says that Washington wanted “six figures” from him in exchange for her not making the incident publicly known. Moss says he cannot reveal details of exactly what happened because a lawsuit by Washington may be pending. He says that he has never struck a woman.

The restraining order says Moss must stay 500 feet away from Washington, who he has known for more than 10 years. A hearing on January 28 will determine whether a permanent restraining order against Moss will be issued.

Moss and Elizabeth “Libby” Offutt were charged in a 1996 domestic violence dispute. Offutt is the mother of his children. In the criminal complaint filed by police, Moss is accused of throwing steaming hot water on Offutt and pushing her down repeatedly when she tried to get up from a sitting position.

Moss accused Offutt of hitting and kicking him. The misdemeanor domestic battery charges were dropped after both of them agreed to undergo counseling.

If you are under investigation for domestic violence, you should contact a Massachusetts domestic violence lawyer who can apprise you of your legal rights and represent you in the event that charges are filed.

Moss denies battery claim, Boston Globe, January 17, 2008
Moss: I did ‘nothing wrong’, Boston Herald, January 17, 2008

Related Web Resources:

Randy Moss, NFL Continue reading

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Statistics show that domestic violence-related murders are increasing in Massachusetts. As of October this year, there were 37 reported killings involving domestic violence. Last year, the total figure was 31 domestic murders. There were 15 domestic slayings that were reported in 2005.

The number of domestic killings for this year is still rising. On Monday, a 60-year-old Milford woman died after being stabbed to death by her husband. Joseph H. Ventola Jr, 63, who admitted the murder to a 911 operator. Joseph and Esther were married for 18 years. At his arraignment on Monday, Ventola, who has a history of depression, pleaded not guilty.

In another recent case, 30-year-old Millbury resident Justin Hiser pleaded not guilty to the stabbing murder of his ex-girlfriend Ronda Healey outside the T.G.I. Friday’s restaurant in Millbury where she worked as a waitress.

Hiser made an unprompted confession to Westborough police after a he was apprehended following a police chase in Southborough. Hiser had spent time in prison previously for assault with a dangerous weapon.

Healey and Hiser had previously lived together in Worcester. She leaves behind three children.

Toni Troop, the public relations director of Jane Do Inc., a company that keeps track of domestic violence murders, says that the increase in domestic violence-related deaths is a result of funding cuts that were made to national, state, and local domestic violence victims’ programs.

Domestic violence is a crime in every U.S. state and can involve verbal abuse, physical abuse, battery, sexual assault, stalking, and any other kinds of abusive behavior toward a relative or former spouse, partner, girlfriend, or boyfriend. Domestic violence is also called intimate partner violence (IPV).

Domestic slayings on the rise, Milford Daily News, November 28, 2007
Millbury waitress fatally stabbed; ex-boyfriend held, Boston.com, November 28, 2007
Suspect in Millbury stabbing made spontaneous confession, court documents say, Boston.com, November 28, 2007
Milford man charged with wife’s stabbing death, Boston.com, November 27, 2007

Related Web Resources:

Massachusetts Law About Domestic Violence, Massachusetts Trial Court Law Libraries
Jane Doe Inc.
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