Top row, from left to right: Victoria Ann Buzzo, 54, Randy Lee Fannin, 62, Christy Lynn Wilson, 47, Lucia Bernice Kondas, 65. Bottom row, from left to right: Laura Lee Elody, 46, (ex-wife of shooter) Michelle Marie Fournier, 48, David Cauoette, 64, Michele Daschbach Fast, 46.(Dept.Motor Vehicle photos)
There are no words to explain to anyone when a violent individual enters a business establishment and begins firing into a group of strangers all because they happen to be in the way of one man's rage. On Wednesday, October 12, 2011 that is exactly what happened.
The couple, who were divorced, had been in court the day before over custody. At issue was the 8-year old child, whom at the time of the shooting was waiting to be picked up after school by one of the parents. The father walked into the busy beauty salon and fired into the crowd of patrons. Within 2 minutes, dead were his ex-wife, 6 other customers and a man sitting in his car of the parking lot. A ninth victim was shot and she remains in critical condition.
The shooter has a history of mental health issues. On Friday, in California, he was charged with 8 counts of murder and 1 count of attempted murder. The State is seeking the death penalty. During hearing the judge ordered a medical evaluation after his lawyer said "his client was not receiving his antipsychotic medication.
Cold blooded killers like Scott Dekraai are clever like a fox. Is he crazy? Hardly! Storming into the salon with three weapons and body armor, was a well thought out, and executed plan of action. Now, at taxpayers expense, Dekraai will likely use the system because of his "mental condition" as his crutch, all on public dollars.
The professionals who treat him for his "mental condition" behind bars, will also conduct numerous studies and evaluations determining his "fitness to stand trial." The information they gather will be meaningless, unless, of course, they understand and apply pattern of conduct and victimology as it relates directly to cases of intimate partner homicides. If the money is going to be earmarked, why not allow it to include the family court system where custody was being fought and where Michelle's cry for help regarding how dangerous he is, to be recognized. Include the court appointed mental health professionals to the attorneys in the case. Interview everyone who knew them before, during and after the divorce.
The very legal system that is in place to protect, in my opinion, provides an opportunity for a very sane individual to use a temporary moment of pure anger playing a system to their advantage with precision and skill.
This was not an isolated incident. It is a reflection of intimate partner violence happening over the country.
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Susan Murphy Milano is a staff member of the Institute for Relational Harm Reduction and Public Pathology Education. She is a specialist with intimate partner violence prevention strategies and high risk cases and available for personal consultations through the Institute. She is also part of the team at Management Resources Limited of New York.
Susan is the author of "Time's Up: A Guide on How to Leave and Survive Abusive and Stalking Relationships,"Moving out, Moving on, and Defending Out Lives. Susan is the host of The Susan Murphy Milano Show, "Time's Up!" . She is a regular contributor to the nationally syndicated "The Roth Show" with Dr Laurie Roth and a co-host on Crime Wire.
Susan is the author of "Time's Up: A Guide on How to Leave and Survive Abusive and Stalking Relationships,"Moving out, Moving on, and Defending Out Lives. Susan is the host of The Susan Murphy Milano Show, "Time's Up!" . She is a regular contributor to the nationally syndicated "The Roth Show" with Dr Laurie Roth and a co-host on Crime Wire.
If you would like to schedule Susan Murphy Milano for training and interviews, please contact:ImaginePublicity PO BOX 14946 Surfside Beach, SC 29587 Phone: 843.808.0859 email- contact@imaginepublicity.com
1 comment:
As our thoughts and prayers go to the many victim's families of this mass homicide, I continue to be puzzled by the fact that, most typically men going through a divorce and child custody battle, perceive this as an opportunity and license to kill others...who "get in their way.'
The fact that their precious egos cannot withstand some rough patches... or the fact that they cannot be men and step aside from a failed marriage and salvage a loving relationship with a child; versus taking out their wives and the innocent lives of others, says that we need prerequisite marriage fitness and parenting classes. Even if such a thing as "marriage fitness" existed, who is fit to decide if you are fit?
And so... we continue to celebrate Domestic Violence Awareness Month with some significant victories in Topeka only to be overshadowed with the purchase of more and more unexpected coffins.
May God Bless Us All
Respectfully,
Donna R. Gore
Ladyjustice
www.donnagore.com
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