Domestic violence unfortunately affects many people in Ohio, and without the proper intervention and counseling, it can be very difficult to break the cycle of abuse. Sometimes, even the involvement of law enforcement cannot prevent spousal abuse from escalating into tragic situations.
One Cleveland man apparently abused his wife for many years, both prior to their 2002 marriage and after their 2013 divorce. Beginning in 1989, law enforcement officers arrested him several times for domestic violence complaints, although not all of these arrests resulted in formal charges. In the most recent of these incidents, authorities charged the man with felony domestic violence after he told his wife he would shoot her. He later pled guilty, and the woman filed for divorce two months later, citing neglect and cruelty.
This woman was recently found dead in her apartment, and her ex-husband has been charged with aggravated murder. The medical examiner responsible for this case has not offered an official cause of death, but the woman appears to have died from strangulation.
A witness has come forward to law enforcement authorities, informing them that she observed the man yelling at the woman a few hours prior to the woman’s death. The witness’ information helped officers apprehend the man later that day.
Physical abuse in marriages is a very serious issue. However, there are options available to those who are being abused, such as filing for a temporary restraining order or permanent protective order. If you or someone you care about is in an abusive relationship, you may want to encourage that person to speak with a lawyer to determine whether there are any legal options available to help protect against an abusive spouse or partner.
Source: Cleveland.com, “Prosecutors: East Cleveland woman, 59, strangled by ex-husband,” Adam Ferrise, Jan. 23, 2014