Domestic Violence

The Sun recently reported on a city toddler who was senselessly and viciously murdered ("2-year-old boy killed in Southeast Baltimore," Dec. 3). The implication in the article was that the mother of the child committed the unspeakable act. In order to attempt to counter the vicious, never-ending cycle of domestic hostilities, isn't it high time we administer mental competency tests to parents or parents-to-be? If it reeks of socialism, so what as long as it curbs this unfathomable crime.

The weekend murder-suicide involving Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher and his 22-year-old girlfriend, Kasandra Perkins, is a grim reminder of the toll in lives domestic violence takes, how common such tragedies are even among highly successful people who otherwise would seem to have everything to live for - and how easily a dispute can turn lethal when a handgun is within reach. Mr. Belcher, 25 and a rising star on the Kansas City team who recently became a million-dollar player, shot and killed Ms. Perkins, with whom he had a 3-month-old daughter, on Saturday morning at their Kansas City home.

Seeking to tamp down crime, Baltimore Police arrested 270 people in a five-day warrant initiative targeting suspects being sought in domestic violence and robbery cases.  Another 50 suspects already incarcerated were also served with warrants, officials said.  The warrant sweep took place between Oct. 22 and 26, said spokesman Anthony Guglielmi. Police prioritized warrants for suspects being sought in domestic violence and robbery cases, as well as warrants for suspects with histories of violent crimes.  "The results of this warrant effort are a testament to the hard working men and women  of the Baltimore Police Department who put their lives on the line each day to make this  city safer,” Police Commissioner Anthony W. Batts said in a statement.

More than 70,000 Maryland women become victims of domestic violence each year, but only a fraction of these women seek protective orders from our state's courts. If we want to do more to protect women, we need to make it easier and safer for them to get such orders. Alarmingly, sometimes women actually put themselves at risk just by going to court. Consider the case of a Montgomery County resident whose estranged boyfriend had repeatedly beaten and threatened her. When this woman finished her court hearing and had received her protective order, she began walking to her car alone.

My cousin Cathy was a teacher. Four years ago this past August, she spent part of her Friday getting her classroom ready for her students. The next day, her estranged boyfriend showed up at her home unexpectedly and shot and killed her in front of two Montgomery County police officers, who in turn shot him. That day, I learned that no family is immune to the horrors of domestic violence. As we recognize Domestic Violence Awareness month this October, we take the time to remember women like Cathy, who have lost their lives as a result of domestic violence.

A Baltimore County district judge who has been under fire for his handling of a domestic violence case plans to retire next month, a spokesman for the Maryland court system said Tuesday. Judge Bruce S. Lamdin, 64, was removed in August from hearing cases pending an investigation of his remarks to a White Marsh woman during a court hearing last December. On Tuesday, he submitted a letter to Gov. Martin O'Malley saying he plans to step down Oct. 1, according to Terri Bolling, a spokeswoman for the Maryland court system.

A state senator from Baltimore County is pushing to oust a district judge accused this week of mistreating a White Marsh woman who was seeking a restraining order in a domestic violence case. District Judge Bruce S. Lamdin will not hear any cases until an investigation into his statements is complete, said Terri Bolling, a spokeswoman for the Maryland court system. "He's an absolute disgrace to the bench," said State Sen. Jim Brochin, a Baltimore County Democrat, who said he has had constituents complain to him about Lamdin.

As Albert McClellan closes in on a starting job on the Ravens' defense, the outside linebacker is in the process of dealing with an accusation of domestic violence. McClellan was arrested on June 30 in his hometown of Lakeland, Fla., and charged with battery (a first-degree misdemeanor), and simple assault with threat or intent to do violence (a second-degree misdemeanor), according to court documents obtained by The Sun.  Although the case remains active on the Polk County docket with a Sept.

The Baltimore State's Attorney's Office on Friday announced the formation of a “special victims unit” to prosecute cases similar to those seen on the “Law & Order: SVU” crime drama of the same name. Baltimore's SVU, which combines the city's family violence and sex offense divisions, will focus on crimes of violence - including sexual assault and abuse, domestic violence, child abuse and human trafficking - against “women, children, vulnerable adults and other victims of sexual assault and domestic violence,” according to the prosecutor's office.

SARC has been selected by Liberty Mutual to participate in the "Like My Community" program, which raises awareness of local charitable organizations and the services they provide. Through Aug. 20, people can vote for an organization they feel worthy of $30,000 in funding from Liberty Mutual. SARC is the only organization in Harford County chosen to participate. Since 1978, SARC has provided hope and resources to victims of domestic violence, sexual violence, child abuse and stalking.