There have been three notable, tragic and sad incidents of reported domestic violence and domestic abuse in Rhode Island. Each of these incidents resulted in murder. Some people ask, ‘why it is so easy to get a restraining order in Rhode Island?’ The answer to this question can be found in a careful analysis of these tragic and sad murders.
At the end of the day, Rhode Island Family Court Judges and Magistrates usually err on the side of caution. No judge of the RI Family Court wants to wake up in the morning to see a person murdered after she was denied an abuse restraining order.
What is domestic abuse in Rhode Island?
“…Domestic abuse” means:
the occurrence of one or more of the following acts between present or former family members, parents, stepparents, or persons who are or have been in a substantive dating or engagement relationship within the past one year in which at least one of the persons is a minor:
(i) Attempting to cause or causing physical harm;
(ii) Placing another in fear of imminent serious physical harm;
(iii) Causing another to engage involuntarily in sexual relations by force, threat of force, or duress; or
(iv) Stalking or cyberstalking.”
The East Providence Murder:
“Christine’s domestic violence murder by her ex-boyfriend, Yuland Stanfield, is a tragic reminder that domestic violence is perpetrated every day in Rhode Island by abusers seeking to exert power and control over their partners. Stanfield has a lengthy history of domestic violence assaults dating back to 1992,” said Kristin Lyons, executive director of Womens Center of Rhode Island; and Deborah DeBare, executive director of Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence in a joint statement. “It is important to realize that this crime was not an isolated incident but the final abusive act in a pattern of violent behaviors, all of which need to be taken seriously by law enforcement and our communities.” East Providence Patch
The Cumberland murder:
“UPDATE: Peter Pytka was charged with the murder of his wife Tracey Tuesday morning in court. According to family members, the two had a tumultuous relationship and three weeks ago
she had kicked him out of the house. They were spotted fighting outside the home Monday afternoon, shortly before their children found her dead inside.
The Portsmouth Murder:
PORTSMOUTH, RI—The shooting death of 69-year-old Manuel Laureanno Monday night at the hands of his wife in Portsmouth is “another tragic case of domestic violence,” said Portsmouth Police Chief Thomas Lee. Lee, who addressed members of the media Tuesday morning, said that there was no indication of assault prior to the shooting. Several firearms were found in the house but the murder weapon is believed to be a snub-nosed revolver, police said. “This shows what a lethal mix of a past history of domestic violence, alcohol and easy accessibility of firearms can result in,” Lee said. Police were dispatched to an apartment at 3028 East Main Road at around 7:17 p.m. after the his alleged killer, Lisa Almeida-Laureanno, called 911. Portsmouth Patch
If you are in need of a Rhode Island restraining order contact RI restraining order lawyer, David Slepkow.