HOLDING MY HAND THROUGH HELL Officially Launching at Heartland Fall Forum

Well known for her hands-on work with victims of violence, and through her previous books, HOLDING MY HAND THROUGH HELL is based on the true story of Susan Murphy Milano’s life, written with the flow of a novel, in a style that will incite heightened awareness about hope, survival, abuse, murder, and the ripple effect of family violence on society.

The official publisher's launch of Holding My Hand Through Hell will be held at the Heartland Fall Forum, a trade show, conference, and celebration of independent bookselling hosted by the Great Lakes Independent Booksellers Association and the Midwest Independent Booksellers Association.

Ice Cube Press' Steve Semken, publisher of Holding My Hand Through Hell, and one of author Susan Murphy Milano's dear friends and fellow author, Jillian Maas Backman, will hold the official launch party on the airwaves, Thursday, October 4,  with a live broadcast on her popular internet radio show, Change Already!  

To listen to the LIVE broadcast CLICK HERE

Due to her battle with cancer, Susan is unable to personally participate in the launch, but is on the sidelines cheering its success thanks to her friends and large fan base.

Holding My Hand Through Hell is much more than a story of survival, the book is a re-enactment of how God reaches through the fire of chaos and brings peace and hope. A woman questioning her faith through a multitude of experiences finds herself continually in the midst of battle, within her own relationships, and through the thousands of high risk intimate partner violence victims whom she rescued and became a thread in the tapestry of her life.

"More than a memoir Holding My Hand Through Hell is like a true crime drama played out through the years of one woman's life."

The premise of Holding My Hand Through Hell is gripping, yet heart wrenching, and readers say they are compelled to follow Murphy Milano through her journey to the end. After years of torment and abuse, her Chicago Police Department father murdered her mother in the family home, and took his own life,  but Murphy-Milano decided not to be another crime victim, but to survive the worst tragedy of her life and make sure it didn't happen to others. Leaving a lucrative career as an investment banker, she spent the next 20 years in the trenches with other victims of abuse, like her mother, enriching the lives of each and every one who enlisted her help.

Often shunned by traditional domestic violence organizations, Susan Murphy-Milano became like a one man band, utilizing unique strategies specific to each individual she helped. Using her connections within courtrooms and the media, she found herself face to face with some of the worst abusers, often questioning whether God would bring her through the next crisis.

Join in the live radio launch party of HOLDING MY HAND THROUGH HELL on Thursday October 4 at noon central time, 1 eastern time with Jillian Maas Backman and Ice Cube Press Publisher, Steve Semken LIVE from Heartland Fall Forum. 

Ice Cube Press, a small publisher who still individually wraps each order, represents the heartland of America and it's authors, striving to bring Midwest living and the experience to the forefront in the digital age.  Ice Cube press is a member in good standing with the Midwest Independent Booksellers Association, and also participates in the Great Lakes Bookseller Association Trade Show, combining this year as The Heartland Fall Forum.

Jillian Maas Backman is an award-winning radio personality and author of BEYOND THE PEWS: Breaking with Tradition and Letting Go of Religious Lockdown, a San Francisco Book Festival Award winning book.  Her radio show, Change Already! can be heard weekly on BlogTalk Radio.

"A Murder Victims's Clean Feet and a Million Dollar Insurance Policy"

Approximately one month before Dominique (Nique') Leili is reported missing she sends this photo to her sister from her personal cell phone via a text message after receiving medical attention for being smacked by her husband.

On or about June 11, 2011, Nique' goes missing.  It's a Saturday, she doesn't have to report for work.  In a clever mind of an abusive partner or husband, it's about buying time, cleaning up and often covering their tracks.  A common thread among "suddenly" reported females who are reported missing have suffered years of verbal and physical abuse in silence. They are isolated from friends and family.  Rarely are calls if ever made to the authorities for help because either she feels the violence is manageable and under control or they are too embarrassed to reach out and tell someone.

A clever abuser will often use the children born during the marriage as their emotional hostage for the victims.  Common threats of "you will never see your children again" to "you will die if you disobey me" and "how would be if the kids have to visit you at a cemetery" are used and held over a victims head.  A mother will do everything in her power to protect her children at all costs.  Yes, even remaining with a dangerous household predator.

Very few cases does the last known individual to ever see the person  alive, assist in searching for their missing partner or wife.  There have been a few missing person's cases recently, where husbands helped the searchers, but the men confessed and were arrested.

On June 13, 2011the husband files for divorce.  Keep in mind Nique' is still missing and yet papers are filed to end what was likely ended a few days before, her life.   But it's all part of the game a clever abuser plays.  A not so unique pattern of conduct occurring in 90% of all intimate partner homicide cases.

On June 16, 2011, Dominique's body is discovered by searcher's less than a mile from the home.  Her body is nude, covered with leaves and badly decomposed because of the heat.  Her husband remains captive inside the marital home (that she purchased) with his criminal attorney.  Why did he need a criminal attorney?  Again, it's part of the C.Y.A. plan of a clever offender. Just in case anyone wants to question or take him into the station it won't likely happen with a legal watchdog in ones living room the day a body is recovered.  Sprinkle in sudden vomiting (on command) upon hearing the news loving wife has been found; and you've momentarily disarmed a group of intelligent law enforcement officers.

The coroner notes that Nique's feet are completely clean.  Translation:  she didn't walk, she was carried from another location.  Someone had to physically carry her.  Someone had to put leaves over her entire body so she would remain hidden.  Someone had to murder her at a different location and then take her to a spot not many would notice.  The cause of death has yet to be determined.  

There is approximately a million dollars give or take in insurance policies that are still unpaid.  The husband is the stone cold suspect in the murder of Nique' Leili and yet he's been allowed to move out of the State of Georgia and re-located to someplace in Vermont.

The Gwinett County detectives haven't been very nice to Nique's surviving daughter Alex Page, now in her second year of college, when she calls for update's on the case.  She is after all a homicide survivor.  Police are treating this as an open homicide investigation so why punish a daughter for speaking out in public and seeking justice?   

  

Susan Murphy Milano is a staff member of the Institute for Relational Harm Reduction and Public Pathology Education as a educator and specialist with intimate partner violence prevention strategies directing prevention for high risk situations and cases.

 A national trainer to law enforcement, training officers, prosecutors, judges, legislators, social service providers, healthcare professionals, victim advocates and the faith based community and author.. In partnership with Management Resources Ltd. of New York addressing prevention and solutions within the community to the workplace. Host of The Susan Murphy Milano Show,"Time'sUp!" . She is a regular contributor to the nationally syndicated "The Roth Show" with Dr Laurie Roth and a co-host onCrime Wire. Online contributions: Forbes : Crime, She Writes providing commentary about the hottest topics on crime, justice, and law from a woman’s perspective, as well as Time's Up! a blog which searches for solutions (SOS) for victims of crime Susan is also the daughter of a Chicago Violent Crimes detective who murdered her mother before committing suicide. 

Silence and The Blue Brotherhood of the Badge Cost Alexis Jackson Age 13, Her Life!

Alexis Jackson, 13, a 7th grade student at Glascow Middle school in Alexandria, Virginia was murdered by her father, John Jackson, a former police sergeant with the Fairfax County Police Department who then committed suicide. He resigned in 2010, around the same time he and his then estranged wife, Cindy, had filed for divorce, citing physical abuse during the marriage. Court Records show the divorce action was dropped in January.

In a story reporting on the murder-suicide in the Washington Post, one comment in particular caught my attention.

As a former co-worker of the wife (Cindy) I am appalled how she was victimized again through this article with such personal specific details about the brutality she endured. I understand court reports are public knowledge but seriously? What is wrong with journalists these days? Those details provided about her past were so inappropriate just to make a an article more 'dramatic'. Shame you Post Reporter.....you are part of the problem for protecting victims privacy!

The former co-worker calls out the fact that Cindy Jackson's abuse should be private, angry that the information was released. What we need to be angry about is the fact that intimate partner homicide is an epidemic and it hijacks the lives of eight to ten victims 365 days year. John Jackson murdered his own child. His actions during the marriage are very much a part of the ultimate act of power and control. In this case he planned out the murder of his daughter to get back at his wife. John Jackson wanted to teach Cindy a lesson; punish his wife by taking away her entire world, her child whom she loved more than life itself.

When we silence the crime, abusers gain more power and control over their victims. John Jackson, while on the police force,  got away with his dangerous and criminal behavior against his wife. He had no choice but to be given the opportunity to resign, save face, or face criminal charges, a special consideration often given to those in the "blue brotherhood."

There is nothing dramatic about violence in the home; it's a crime and against the law. It's not a private matter, especially when a person sworn to serve and protect terrorizes their own family during their job as a sworn law enforcement officer. 

Cindy Jackson went out to the driveway up to the parked SUV, screamed out to God as she smashed the glass on the passenger side window and discovered her daughter's lifeless body in the car.

Comments by former colleagues of the Sargeant and others on the Fairfax police department were words of "shock" and "disbelief" about the death of his daughter. But their non-responsive actions to Cindy Jackson's pleas for help while her husband was on the job only fueled the violence in the couple's relationship. There were no consequences to the violent offender. He showed his victim just how untouchable he was. And then, he showed the world who was in control by taking the life of Alexis Jackson, 13 years old!

Before you decide to personally express your opinions, note that I am the daughter of a Chicago Violent Crimes detective who murdered my mother in 1989, before committing suicide.  I know firsthand how these crimes go down.

Susan Murphy Milano is a staff member of the Institute for Relational Harm Reduction and Public Pathology Education as a educator and specialist with intimate partner violence prevention strategies directing prevention for high risk situations and cases.

 A national trainer to law enforcement, training officers, prosecutors, judges, legislators, social service providers, healthcare professionals, victim advocates and the faith based community and author.. In partnership with Management Resources Ltd. of New York addressing prevention and solutions within the community to the workplace. Host of The Susan Murphy Milano Show,"Time'sUp!" . She is a regular contributor to the nationally syndicated "The Roth Show" with Dr Laurie Roth and a co-host onCrime Wire. Online contributions: Forbes : Crime, She Writes providing commentary about the hottest topics on crime, justice, and law from a woman’s perspective, as well as Time's Up! a blog which searches for solutions (SOS) for victims of crime

The Susan Murphy Milano Show "Time's Up!" Thursday 2/2/2012 at 2pm ET

Everything Old Becomes New Again!

From her visit with Pastor Neil Schori, in the same church where Stacy Peterson confided in him, Susan Murphy Milano and Neil Schori assisted several women in the completion of their individual safety plans and the all important, Evidentiary Abuse Affidavit.©

As Pastor of Naperville Christian Church,  Schori has had the opportunity to be more than just a Pastor giving a sermon each Sunday and teaching the lessons of the Bible to his congregation.  Neil’s works go far beyond the pulpit, and as a young, well versed individual, he speaks to those who may not otherwise hear his messages.

Neil has devoted much of his time and talent, not only with providing aid to Haiti, but also advocating and assisting victims of violence within his community. He is listed on the National Registry as a Certified Trainer on Document the Abuse (documenttheabuse.com) and is available to train for first line responders in the E.A.A. Model of Approach.  Neil is currently organizing others in the faith based community to embrace the issue of intimate partner violence and urging them to take a larger role in it’s prevention by reaching within each church and community to provide the simple, but effective procedures as seen at Document the Abuse.


Listen Live at www.herewomentalk.com

———————–

Susan Murphy Milano has worked with victims of violence for over 20 years following the death of her mother at the hands of her police officer father who brought the violence of the streets of Chicago home each day. Green to the gills on how the “system” worked, Murphy Milano hit the streets vowing to change the way the world looked at victims of violence and improving on services and procedures available to women like her mother.

One of those surviving victims from the past will join the show to discuss how she was badly beaten and left for dead. One of several very high risk cases that were passed to Susan Murphy Milano as a last resort, Jackie Keys will recount what it was like back then, in the early 90′s, what she was taught to do to survive and move into a new life, free of violence and the abuser who attacked her.

Along with Jackie Keys from the past, Tracey Murphy makes another appearance relating present day procedures, lack of resources, and the overall climate in assistance for victims of abuse.  Tracey will talk about what helped her and her children get out of an abusive relationship and what she’s doing today to keep her family safe from the abuser.

imaginepublicity.com

A Community Fails "Zahra Claire Baker"

The name “Zahra” is Arabic and it’s translation a "blooming flower."

What a wonderful way to remember a young girl who is making national headlines not for her beautiful name, but for her brief and painful life as authorities in North Carolina work to locate her remains.

Zahra Clare Baker was diagnosed with bone cancer five years ago. Doctors in Australia amputated her leg and, according to reports from her birthplace, she adjusted well to the treatments and her new prosthetic leg. The chemo also caused Zahra to lose her hearing, and in a photo on the Internet we see this bright flower during a fitting for hearing aids. In 2007, her father took his daughter away from excellent medical care, family and friends in Australia to the United States, only to marry a violent dangerous older woman that makes Cinderella‘s step mother look like a saint.

I question those in the community who are now coming forward and making statements on how they witnessed psycho step-parent beat Zahra? Or talk about the bruises to her face, neck and body? At ten years of age Zahra was battling cancer and neighbors stood by and watched, time and time again, this child being beaten. Neighbors could often hear Zahra screaming from inside the home.

Now, these same folks are applying lipstick or taking the time to grab a clean shirt for the camera crews covering this senseless tragedy. My response is W.T.F.!

I suggest those now coming forward about witnessing Zahra being hurt-if they have children of their own, DSS should remove those kids from the home until it can be determined that their environment is safe. I question the sanity of those who stood by in silence now talking up a storm and pointing fingers after the fact.

We cannot bring Zahra Claire Baker back. But we can be accountable to the children in this county, the thousands of other precious and blooming flowers who have a right to live their lives without being tortured and terrorized into deadly silence.

Crime Wire Investigates! Tuesday, July 13, 9pm Eastern, 8pm Central on BlogTalk Radio

Tonight we welcome the parents of Morgan Harrington, Dr. Dan Harrington and his wife, Gil, to discuss the latest developments in the quest to find his daughter's killer.  Morgan Dana Harrington went missing shortly after leaving a Metallica concert and her remains were later found in remote farmland in January 2010.


Virginia State Police have released a composite sketch of a man they say is connected to her death through forensic evidence.  He is also connected to a 2005 assault on another young woman.


Also, we will be highlighting the case of Sheila Deviney, found burned to death in her Maysville, Oklahoma home in January, 2004. Her death was originally categorized as an accident, but later deemed a homicide which is still unsolved. 


Through the years the family of Sheila Deviney have tirelessly sought justice, all the while meeting obstacles along the way as her case has grown cold.


Join co-hosts Denny Griffin retired Police Investigator and Author, Susan Murphy-Milano Violence Expert and Author and Vito Colucci Jr.Private Eve and Author. Along with the Crime Wire noted experts and attorney's Mickey Sherman, Fox News Analyst Lis Wiehl, Al Dressler, Peter Hyatt, Donna Pendergast and David Lohr each week.


You can listen live and participate in the chat room by going to the direct link:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/crimewire/2010/07/14/crime-wire-investigates


You may call in with questions or comments:  646-478-0982

Former Survivor Producer Bruce Beresford-Redman "Drinking Mojita's"

It appears that the Mexican authorities have been lax in keeping tabs on the former television producer of the famed show “Survivor” whom has yet to be charged with the murder of his wife Monica Beresford-Redmond.

The case is still under investigation, but, apparently no one thought to detain the former producer or put restrictions on his travels other than take his passport away and say he could not leave Mexico. What is really in place, other than formal lip service, to stop a person who has resources at their fingertips to do whatever the heck they want? He likely set up his own personal print shop complete with an ink kit he bought on the black Mexican market to create travel documents that look like the real thing. Or he had some help along the way.

Think about it for a moment, just how manipulative is this bozo?

He is a master at having people do things for a popular reality show just because it makes for great television. Somehow, after an affair during the marriage, he was able to convince Monica to go on a so called “second honeymoon,” and that landed the loving mother dead in drain pipe near the hotel where the couple was vacationing. Anyone have tabs on that former lover of Beresford-Redmond ? Just curious, you know they always seem to help the ones they love when in trouble. Have U.S. authorities been contacted to question this person? What about obtaining a search warrant on computer activity? How about the cell phone activity of this individual? Oh wait, I apologize, Beresford-Redman has yet to be charged in the murder of his wife. So perhaps the former love interest is off the authories radar.


And the question of the day is, why hasn’t Bruce Beresford-Redmond been charged? Is it because from Mexico you can not obtain search warrants on pre-planned, possible criminal activities from another country? What about the FBI? Where is there involvement on this case, other than Monica’s family members who are asking for justice in this obvious ( my opinion of course) murder of intimate partner homicide. Bruce Beresford-Redmond must have located the e-book version of “how to get away with murder.” It’s a very popular read among abusive men who, in my opinion, want to either make the person they are in a relationship with or married to vanish without a trace, or eliminate them from life and have it look like it was a random act of violence.

According to the associated press wires and the Websleuths forum, Mexican authorities have been looking for former "Survivor" producer Bruce Beresford-Redman for several days with no success.

I would post his photo, but, chances are he has totally changed his appearance. He could have shaved his head, grown a beard, put on or lost weight. And ,again, he has not been charged with any crime.

Maybe someone from the State Department with a human heart can get involved? Or does anyone know the telephone number to Dog the Bounty Hunter? He is pretty good at locating just about anyone.


If I appear to have a sarcastic tone, it is because I do. Another innocent woman, wife and mother of two children was found murdered. The only person, in my opinion, responsible is roaming free, wearing a flowery pattern button down shirt, blending in with the tourists, and drinking mojito’s in some foreign county, celebrating his freedom while he works on his next reality show "Surviving The Sewers ...of Mexican Justice."

Been there, done that…” Susan Murphy- Milano has turned a tired phrase into demonstrable realism through the gift of her newly published book, "TIME'S UP: A GUIDE ON HOW TO LEAVE AND SURVIVE ABUSIVE AND STALKING RELATIONSHIPS

"A Moving Discovery"

Randy Bratschi vanished in 2004 and his remains were found on July 16, 2009 in a town named "Coward," located in South Carolina.

Often, we immediately think of men as the person responsible for killing their loved ones, but that is not always the case. Women also murder their husbands and children.

In Author Diane Fannings book "Poisoned Passion" she writes about Wendi Mae Davidson, a cold blooded killer who murdered former Air Force Staff Sergeant and husband Mike Severance in Texas. Randy Bratschi, a victim of family homicide lost his life, similar to Mike Severance each of these men, too embarrassed to discuss the abuse or know where to get help.

Brenda Bratschi [wife] was finally charged earlier this week with her husbands murder. The police indicate there will be additional arrests in this case. The stepson Frankie Miles, 23 arrested last evening has now been charged in connection with Randy Bratschi's death for with holding information.

According to news sources police say movers were transporting a trailer when they discovered the remains underneath the home. The remains were found on land that had recently been sold after Randy Bratschi went missing in 2004.


If you are a victim of violence and you are a man, please know that you are not alone. There is an organization on the Internet called Men Web who assist men in relationships with violent and dangerous abusers whom are wives and girlfriends.

Here are a few warning signs for you to consider

Do you have that "taking on a macho “I can handle it” attitude. Even if you have been hurt much worse on an athletic playing field, that is not the same thing as being physically attacked by your intimate partner, which hurts emotionally as well as physically. Allowing this pattern to continue can result in depression, substance abuse, loss of confidence, even suicide. (At its worst, It has resulted in death at the hands or a partner or someone induced to kill you by the partner.)

“Men Don’t Tell.” This is the actual title of a fact-based CBS TV movie about male victims of domestic abuse. Keeping silent, (not confiding to a friend, relative or professional) is a common reaction of both male and female victims of domestic abuse; it’s embarrassing. Men typically face a greater degree of disbelief and ridicule than do most women in this situation, which helps enforce the silence. Domestic violence victims make excuses for injuries that show (“It was an accident” or “it happened while playing sports”) when friends or medical personnel ask about them.

Hiding From it. Men often escape a bad home life that they are afraid of by spending extra time at work, staying in “their” space (garage, den) at home, or even sleeping in the car or at a friends place.

Again, I urge you to seek help. Please click and visit Men Web Organization on the Internet.

Skin Color Played A Major Role in Murder Case?

There appears to be a lot of excuses from law enforcement as to why Jahmeshia Connor's abduction case was given little attention, unless you call stapling flyers on a board near the bathroom of CPD's favorite donut shop an active investigation.

Chicago police insist there is a an age limit of ten years old and younger. But I know for a fact if it was a politician’s child or someone well known in the community an all points bulletin would have been issued.

The missing child was over the age of 10 and with so many kids who go missing each year for authorities despite the fact this is not a child who would just “vanish” they did not issue the Amber alert or contact the media. Perhaps it was because she lived in a part of town where criminal activity is commonplace. The fact is that like so many other missing African American children Jahmeshia was born with the wrong color skin.

She did not stand a chance at survival because no one was looking for her.

Chicago Police did not appear to take the report of this missing child seriously, even after family members pleaded with them to look for the girl, insisting she was not a runaway. Now there is a killer at large waiting for his next victim.


Sadly, it is cost prohibitive to wait until a body of an africian american child is discovered 15 days later, dumped like trash. The only expense to the city was the coroner and his assistant, a couple officers who draped a few hundred feet of canary yellow crime tape and spent two hours on the crime scene, an hour henpecking out a report, and the gas it took to drive over to the alley. Oh wait, the body bag- that is an expense isn’t it?

Can You Meet The Deadline?

Christopher Cooper raped and then murdered 9 month-old Monica Williams. He was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison. On December 1, 2009, Christopher Cooper will appear before the Parole Board in Ohio asking to be released because "he so very remorseful for a crime committed" 30 years ago.


While he sits with his hand folded before the parole board, he is clean shaven, his nails sparkling and bright, looking like a shiny new penny, asking to be forgiven, hopeful the parole board will grant him a second chance.

We, this means you and I, have the opportunity to see that Christopher Cooper remains behind bars. I realize it is easier to email a request or a letter of protest, but, in this situation, a letter mailed with a stamp and a return address will have the impact needed to keep this man from being released on our city streets. Should he be released he may not be required to register as a sex offender as the crime happened 30 years ago. Regardless this man needs to remain in prison.

This week you will be with friends and family. Copying and paste this letter from thise blog (below) and set ip a little table near the food asking your guests before they fill a plate with food to take the letter, sign it, place it in the envelope, have the guest put their return address on the front and seal. Then place stamps on them and mail the next day at your local post office. On Sunday at church ask members to help you, hand them an evelope with the address, and a copy of the letter and ask them sign and mail it, be sure they put a return address on the envelope. Pass this on to the blogs you visit, facebook and twitter and enlist everyone''s help.

There is not a lot of time, Christopher Cooper will be before the parole Board on December 1, 2009.

Address Letter to: Ohio Board of Parole, Office of Victim Services

770 W. Broad Street

RE: Inmate Christopher Cooper A158707

Columbus, Ohio 43222. .

Remember each letter counts as one request regardless of the number of signatures on it. All letters need to be signed, dated, and include a return address on the envelope by Dec. 1, 2009

Letter: (also copy and paste the photo)


Ohio Board of Parole
Office of Victim Services
770 W. Board Street
Columbus, Ohio 43222

RE: Inmate Christopher Cooper #A158707

DATE: November ___, 2009

Dear Ohio Board of Parole:

I am writing to request that the Ohio Parole Board deny the release of Inmate Christopher Cooper who murdered and raped 9 month old Monica Williams in 1979.

Please deny parole for Christopher Cooper.

Sincerely,

________________


Again, picture from the blog of Monica Williams should also be included. And put a return addreas on the envelope.

HBO Network Show "Entourage" Sanctions Domestic Violence and Murder

Actor Jeremy Piven Plays Ari Gold on the hit HBO series Entourage

I know this is "only" a television show and its edgy wit is what their loyal viewers expect but, the episode over the weekend sent the wrong message.

In the show Piven plays a high powered agent to the stars in Hollywood. When his character Ari Gold is asked if he has a pre nup agreement with his wife the response is:

"I will kill my wife first before I'd let that happen."

Women are being slaughtered in their homes on a daily basis and to think that such a show doesn't have an impact on someone watching who is distraught or angry over their marriage ending, think again. Giving a character this loaded line is no different than handing a viewer a full chamber of bullets.

The impact of this show says to its’ fans that murdering ones’ wife is okay. Every time this episode airs the HBO network is sanctioning murder within the family.

Crime Continues to Happen

Due to Susan's internet being down since a storm over the weekend, she has not been able to post, and yet crimes against women continue to happen.....


A headline gives her a number, "L.A. Murder number 215" but Xiomara Lopez was a 36 year old mother of three children, 11, 7, and 3. As she was holding her 3 year old daughter, and in the presence of the other two children, her husband and she were arguing.


From the LAPD BLOG:

Wife Killed After Argument with Her Husband

Los Angeles: A 36-year-old Los Angeles woman was gunned down during an argument with her husband and one of her children was injured.

On Friday, August 28, 2009, at around 11:50 p.m., Xiomara Lopez was involved in an argument with her husband 36-year-old Carlos Lopez in the 2900 block of Kenwood Avenue. During the argument, Carlos Lopez armed himself with a handgun and fired multiple rounds at Xiomara who was wounded. The victim’s three children were present during this shooting and the 11-year-old boy sustained a gunshot wound.

After the shooting, the suspect drove away in a white, Toyota, Corolla. A short time later both the car and the handgun were recovered by detectives.

Los Angeles City Fire personnel responded the scene and Xiomara was pronounced dead at scene. The boy was transported to a local hospital and listed in stable condition. The other two children were not injured during the shooting.

Carlos Anibal Lopez is described as a male Hispanic, 36-year-old (DOB 07-16-73), 5 feet 4 inches tall and 124 pounds.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call Criminal Gang/Homicide Group, Southwest Homicide Squad, Detective Dave Garrido at 213-485-1383. During off-hours, calls may be directed to a 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (527-3247). Callers may also text "Crimes" with a cell phone or log on to www.lapdonline.org and click on Web tips. When using a cell phone, all messages should begin with "LAPD." Tipsters may remain anonymous.

Disturbing Defense of a Killer

On September 19, 2008, 26 year- old Amy Yager was buried. She had been shot by her husband Jeff David Yager. I posted a story on her brief, tragic life HERE. On July 12, 2009, a person who claims to be related to the shooter- posted a disturbing comment below:

brother of jeff david yager "allen micheal bolton" said...
Everyone thinks they knew Amy? Well i lived with her for 3months and you people say David was the controlling one. Hes my big brother but im not gonna make excuses or tell the whole truth because you dumb ass people only believe he is the bad person anyway when you dont know shit. Then people want to blame his family and friends and thats stupid because yall dont know any of us and thats the only reason yall talkin shit. And yall think she was so damn perfect when she was further away from that than anyone I know. She was controlling and cried about every little thing that wasnt the way she wanted it to be. David let her do whatever she wanted no matter how stupid it was and she always got her way. I would not have put up with half the shit he put up with but thats just the kind of person he is. Really I just want to say everyone needs to shut the fuck up and close their dick suckers and if you got a problem with that 3916HWY17 South Millen G.A 30442. 478-982-7791. Ill be waiting.
July 12, 2009 6:30 PM

Obviously, the relative is angry because someone he cared about is in prison awaiting trial for the murder of his wife. A person does not have to display bad behavior in public as we have seen in numerous cases to commit criminal acts. The characteristics of abusers is to be sweet like sugar on the outside and sour the grapes when no one is looking. And friends or relatives are usually the last to acknowledge their loved one is capable of these types of crimes and almost always manufacture an excuse for "what drove this individual" to commit a crime.

I remember the night I found my parents bodies and my father's police detective partner was on the crime scene. The first words out of his mouth were "your mother drove him to this." I looked at the veteran detective who was obviously hurt his best friend and partner was gone and I responded "no one drives anyone to pull a trigger."

I could attack this ignorant person for posting such comments and using inappropriate language, but that is not important. What is important is that this person believes as many close to a killer that the actions of their loved one was somehow justified . That the person murdered in this case Amy Yager deserved what she got, death.

No one deserves to lose their life, no one!

At the end of his commentary the person leave's their information on where to contact him and closes by saying "I'll be waiting." My hope is that he the poster does not go out and hurt someone and receives the help he needs. I think we would all agree, that is certainly where this troubled and disturbed person is headed.

Justice Interrupted Live May 12, 2009 at 11:00 PM EST

Justice Interrupted Show airs every Tuesday night @ 11 PM ET/ 10 CT / 9 MT/ 8 PT

Guests: David Weiss with Inland Community Bank will discuss the financial predators that have set up shop throughout the country to take advantage of vulnerable homeowners who are losing their homes in the collapse of the real estate market. David Weiss spent many years in the mortgage banking profession and will offer reality based perspective and insight from both sides of the desk that will be of value to listeners.

Brittany Danielle McGlone was murdered two years ago. Brittany was bludgeoned to death in the home allegedly of her former boyfriend at the age of 19. Her murder remains unsolved. Tonight her Patricia Tice pleads for justice.Native New Yorker Joseph Hosey has been a reporter for the Chicago area's Herald News since 1999 and has been on the cusp of every major development in the Drew Peterson case. He is the only member of the media to cover Kathleen Savio's inquest, and he broke the stories of her death as well as Stacy Peterson's disappearance. His is the author of the best selling book------ Fatal Vows: The Tragic Wives of Sergeant Drew Peterson

Join Hosts: Robin Sax Prosecutor and Author, Author Stacy Dittrich, Advocate and Author Susan Murphy-Milano as they provide justice for those whose lives have been interrupted by rape, murder, child sexual predators, strange and unexplained disappearances...

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Justice Interrupted Investigates: Tuesday March 24, 2009 at 11:00 PM EST

Tune In: 8:00 pm Pacific--10:00 pm Central--11:00 Eastern

This Week's Guests:Caitlin Rother is the author of four books, Poisoned Love, Naked Addiction, Body Parts and twisted Triangle. Rother, a Pulitzer Prize nominee, worked for 19 years as an investigative reporter for daily newspapers, and has made numerous TV and radio appearances as a crime expert. She speaks to professional groups and teaches journalism and creative writing, drawing from her years of experience covering a wide range of topics -- from addiction, suicide, mental illness and murder to politics and corruption at City Hall and in Congress.

Dawn Vowell believes in her heart someone out there knows what happened to her mother who disappeared nearly 4 years ago. She’s hoping someone will come forward with new information in the disappearance of Sandra Kay Travis of Graves County, Kentucky. Sandra Travis was reported missing in August 2005. The person of interest Bobby Travis (husband) who has told more stories about the day Sandra left than Pinocchio. Her daughter Dawn Vowell who believes someone knows the truth will talk about the case with the Justice Interrupted team and Investigator Vito Colucci, Jr. for over 20 years as a private investigator, working and solving numerous high profile cases; Michael Skakel/ Matha Moxley case; Jayson Williams Manslaughter, case in New Jersey. He has worked on many of this countries high profile rape, murders and corrupt clergymen cases.

Born in Walla, Walla Washington True Crime Writer, Producer and Co-host of the weekly radio show out law radio Burl Barer is a gifted writer-- his titles include “The Saint, The Treasure of Sir Thomas Conway, Headshop, Broken Doll, Man Over Board, Headlock and his latest true crime book “Mom Said Kill”, join us as we discuss the prison system in America.

To listen live go to: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/justiceinterrupted and click on the "Click to Listen" icon. You might want to refresh your page because the icon will not show until the show begins.Call in live at: 914-338-0663 to participate in the show.

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Join Hosts: Prosecutor and Author Robin Sax, Police Officer and Author Stacy Dittrich, Advocate and Author Susan Murphy-Milano each week as they provide justice for those whose lives have been interrupted by rape, murder, child sexual predators, strange and unexplained disappearances......

Failure to Respond to Murder/Suicide Costs Lives

The Albuquerque Police Department's failure to respond to repeated calls that a pregnant woman was in danger at the hands of her boyfriend - an incident that ended with him killing her and himself - already led Alburquerque Police Department to make significant changes.

Now it will cost the department $685,000, as well.
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City attorneys confirmed Monday they have reached a settlement in a lawsuit filed by the family of Randi Regensberg, a 21-year-old woman who was killed in a murder-suicide by her estranged boyfriend, Cory Kotrba, in 2006.

Friends of Regensberg had called 911 five times to report that she was in danger at the hands of Kotrba, who was a Los Alamos County firefighter. It took police more than an hour and a half to respond, which occurred after both were dead.

Those friends had also tried to get help from an off-duty Albuquerque police officer, Hector Chavez, who lived nearby and refused to render aid.
"This was tragic," said Albuquerque deputy city attorney Kathy Levy. "We are just glad it is resolved. We have heartfelt feelings for the family. Their loss was tragic and we have all felt it."
In the wake of the tragedy, APD put in place different work schedules, a new dispatch system and different rules for what constitutes a priority call. In addition, Chavez was disciplined and a dispatcher resigned.

Robert Rothstein, who represented Regensberg's family, said his clients were comforted that APD has made changes.
"The family is satisfied that they effected some significant changes in the way the system works," Rothstein said. "There is some sense of satisfaction that their daughter's death and their grandchild's death wasn't entirely in vain."

On July 7, 2006, Regensberg's friends called 911 and reported that a neighbor had seen Regensberg dragged into Kotrba's home.
They told dispatchers that the back door was blocked by a table, adding that Kotrba had guns and that Regensberg, who was six months' pregnant, was being held against her will. Friends also told dispatchers there was a history of violence between the two.
But dispatchers kept telling the friends no officers were available to take the call, which wasn't classified top priority, police have said.
While the friends kept calling 911 from the outside of the home, one of them noticed a police car parked in the driveway just a few blocks away and knocked on the door.
The police officer, Chavez, who was also named in the family's lawsuit, told the female friend there was nothing he could do because he was off duty. He also refused to make a phone call to 911 to have an officer sent out sooner, the family's lawsuit claimed.
Police went to Kotrba's home in the 7700 block of Javelina SW only after the fifth call - and after Kotrba's roommate had arrived and allowed the friends inside where they found the couple dead.
The first call was placed at 7:51 p.m., the last one at 9:29 p.m., according to police records.
The Regensberg case has been used as a training tool and is brought up at nearly every academy class, police officials said.
Police Chief Ray Schultz said his entire department knows the name "Randi Regensberg."
"This incident is never really going to be behind us," Schultz said Monday. "There are certain cases that everybody in the department knows about that send a very strong message in the organization about what could happen when things go wrong, and this is one of them."
The changes include:
* Altering the department's work schedules from four 10-hour days to five eight-hour days, a move that has upset many officers. But APD says response times have improved.
* Installing a new computer-aided dispatch system that allows supervisors to see how calls are being handled.
* Writing new policies on how calls are prioritized.
* Requiring dispatchers to broadcast on police radio frequencies whenever calls are holding.
Under state law, the maximum a jury could have awarded the Regensberg family is $750,000 because the city is publicly funded. The award will be paid out of the city's Risk Management fund.
The city of Albuquerque has a "no settlement" policy on suits filed alleging police misconduct.
Levy said the policy didn't apply in this case since the suit was not alleging excessive force and it dealt with systematic issues.
Levy noted that under the settlement, the city is not admitting liability.
ALBUQUERQUE TRIBUNE/JULY 11, 2006

Even if Albuquerque police had responded immediately to the first 911 call about a domestic violence incident Friday, they say it would have been too late to save Randi Regensberg's life.
Still, the Police Department is changing the way it prioritizes calls that come from secondhand sources regarding a violent situation, police spokeswoman Trish Hoffman said Tuesday.
Hoffman spoke about the policy change as the department released a series of 911 calls regarding the apparent murder-suicide at the home of Regensberg's ex-boyfriend, Cory Kotrba, at 7716 Javelina Road S.W.
Police believe Kotrba, 28, shot 21-year-old Regensberg, who was six months pregnant with his child, shortly after the two arrived at Kotrba's home at 6 p.m. Friday.
Both bodies were found around 9:30 p.m. - 1 hours after the first 911 call was placed by Regensberg's friend, a woman identified as Christine, 21.
That call and three others were assigned priority level two, not top level one, because they weren't firsthand information about an assault, Hoffman said.
Today, all four calls made before the final call, in which Christine reported finding both bodies, would be categorized as priority one and put first in line for response, Hoffman said.
But Hoffman said the first 911 call Friday didn't come in until 7:55 p.m., almost two hours after forensic examiners believe Kotrba shot Regensberg before turning the gun on himself.
Hoffman said she doesn't remember a similar situation in the recent past.
The series of calls went this way, according to the recordings released Tuesday:
• 7:51 p.m.: A man named Elias, identified as another ex-boyfriend of Regensberg's, arrives at Kotrba's home after Christine tells him to come over. Neighbors tell him they saw Kotrba drag Regensberg inside the home. Elias reports this in the first call to 911.
• 8:12 p.m.: Christine calls 911 again, telling the dispatcher Kotrba owns a gun. She says the two have been inside for two hours.
• 8:30 p.m.: "It's been a while since I've called in," Elias reports. He also says that a table barricades the back door, and there are no lights on inside the home.
The dispatcher tells him it's been a busy night.
"I'm a volunteer fireman. I understand how that goes," Elias says.
• 9:11 p.m.: Christine calls from outside the house, saying her friend is "being held against her will," and tells dispatchers Regensberg is pregnant. Dispatchers tell Christine her call is the next in line for dispatching.
• 9:28 p.m.: Christine has been let into the house by Kotrba's roommate, identified as Gilbert. Crying, she tells the dispatcher she has found both bodies, shot to death

(Source: Albuquerque Journal and Tribune)