Amanda Graham Barker Locklear: Pattern of Conduct in North Carolina Leads to Murder?

Police responded to a call on August 10, 2011 of a shooting at the residence at 7:53 p.m. in Raeford, North Carolina.

This is not just another shooting death, it is a woman recently wed to a man who says he was in another room when the gun went off, claiming she committed suicide as her two young children were at the movies with others, and they were alone in the house.

Amanda Graham Barker Locklear, a former police officer, who, at the time of her death, worked for Cape Fear Valley Hospital as a "Life Link" Supervisor, and,by all reports, was a very happy and loving mother, likely did not take her own life.

The prior pattern of conduct of the officer involved in this case, Kevin Locklear, is disturbing, but may not be considered should charges be filed.

Before I receive all those lovely fan emails that often arrive when I post these specific cases of O.I.I.P.V. (officer involved intimate partner violence), let me be clear that this case has nothing to do with how well one might "believe" they know the parties involved. Or perhaps they "saw the happy couple together" and want to believe that a police captain in this small town is not capable of shooting anyone. We never want to believe someone personally known to us could be capable of such a horrific act. Consider this, if no one heard shots go off, as was reported, then no one heard any type of arguing or trouble behind closed doors.

In cases of intimate partner homicide, especially with prior history of O.I.I.P.V., there is often a pattern of conduct and behavior that is deadly. Many departments across the country do not have the enhanced training to investigate these cases properly, especially when the person in question has more crime and street experience than most in the same towns where they are commissioned as officers.

I'm concerned with the confidence in the SBI analysts in the North Carolina lab conducting a proper investigation after last year's shake up with over 230 cases of mishandled evidence; and I do not want to see the "good old boy network" working from inside the blue walls and dismiss important evidence in the case that should include ballistics, personal computers and cell phones among other evidence at the crime scene.

Kevin Locklear's pattern of conduct appears to date back to 1993:

PSPRO Chief Locklear was found guilty in the assault charge back in 1993 he appealed the verdict and it was overturned in superior court Fayetteville observer
Behind The Blue Wall, a fantastic site which chronicles officer involved intimate partner violence, posted the story from 2007, when the then Chief of police in Raeford, was ultimately fired for hurting his previous wife. Link- http://behindthebluewall.blogspot.com/2007/11/nc-chiefs-wife-erlina-locklear-said-her.html

From the site's administrator at Behind The Blue Wall, within the comment section under the story, are her words, almost like a prediction in 2007, which ultimately rang true in this specific case:

"EVEN if you are friends with Kevin - don't take sides like kids. Make SURE she has what she needs also - especially safety. Usually in police families there is a threat to the woman that if the abuse comes to light and threatens the job - that much worse will happen to her."

There is no question officers face a high amount of stress on the job and this spills over to their personal lives. When a relationship goes south for some law enforcement officers because the relationship is ending or crumbling, or perhaps the other person has met someone new, they lose control. Often losing that control can result in killing those closest to them. Some law enforcement officers commit murder and then turn the gun on themselves, while others, smarter than their counterparts, or so they believe, will take chances similar to betting the house at Vegas and wait until they are caught. Depending on their veteran skills and crime scene knowledge, some law enforcement officers have yet to be charged in the murder of a spouse or girlfriend while others are charged or dismissed from the force.

As a specialist in training, especially in cases in the area of O.I.I.P.V., I am far from letting go of this case. If Amanda's family would like to contact me I can be reached at murphymilano@gmail.com or click this link and fill out the form at nysleuth.com, or call 1-800-490-2267

I first learned about the pattern of conduct in O.I.I.P.V. cases, from a veteran Chicago police detective, spending 18 years on a crime scene I would soon rather forget, where officers always showed up but never made an arrest. No one ever believed my mother was a victim of O.I.I.P.V., that is until she was murdered in 1989. My father, as so many do across the country, would make good on his promise to my mother, "if you leave, I will find you, if I find you, I will kill you."

My training and work for over 20 years in the area of O.I.I.P.V. and high risk cases has kept victims alive, and those silenced, closer to justice after case work up, investigation and pressure to review information and evidence often missed by those without enhanced training as it relates to all intimate partner violence crimes.

It will be another week before results are available as to the cause of death by the Medical Examiner's Office.

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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'sUp!" . 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 interviews, please contact: ImaginePublicity PO BOX 14946 Surfside Beach, SC 29587 Phone: 843.808.0859 email- contact@imaginepublicity.com

Laura Ackerson: A Heated Custody Battle and Intimate Partner Homicide

Laura Ackerson, from North Carolina, walked away from a violent and controlling relationship. The father of her two children kept her from friends and family during their time together. As with most victims of intimate partner violence, she was isolated from the world, and she was in a heated custody battle.

The last time she was ever seen was on July 12, 2011; then in a blink of an eye taken away. Her life abruptly ended, and the news confirmed, when law enforcement traveled to Texas on a tip and retrieved parts of her dismembered body that were scattered in a pond.

This beautiful mother of two will never again be able to kiss her children good morning or tuck them into bed at night, ever again. Sadly, we don't have to look very far for answers in these cases of intimate partner violence who "suddenly" goes missing that leads to homicide.

Two people were arrested and charged with her murder, the father of her children along with the person to whom he is currently married. They planned out the murder, how she would be killed, to the rental of a Uhaul trailer driven from North Carolina across state lines to Texas. The names of these 2 people, in my opinion, have no significance. They are simply cold blooded killers.

The solution to these crimes, before they turn deadly, is a prescription that incorporates the support of communities and a nation. We do not view intimate partner violence as a crime, even though laws were passed in every state making domestic violence and stalking a crime. Victims lives were lost in order for the law to get passed in each state. This means the ink used to sign the legislation by Governors across the country had a cartridge filled with the blood of those who died. A lot of victims had to die for proposed bills to be passed into law, including my mother, murdered by her Chicago violent crimes detective husband on January 19, 1989.

Not a lot has changed since I began working with victims and keeping them alive. The exception is more lives have been taken. How is that possible when we have so much in place? Services, shelters and tough laws are not enough for the victims of intimate partner homicide in today's world.

Those who abuse and take the threat further to murder believe they, the abuser, are invincible; often playing a clever game of "catch me if you can." Personally, living for 18 years in a crime scene allows you to witness firsthand the silence of the crimes, the offenders and the dynamics that take place behind closed doors.

Isn't it rather strange that the victim is often the mother of their children estranged wife or former girlfriend? And, more often than not, they are going through a divorce or custody battle. Where are Lisa Stebic, Susan Powell, Gail Palmgren, Kelly Rothwell, Angie Denise Tucker, Kimberly Langwell, Ida Dean Richard, Rachael Conger, Tracie Resiner, Stacy Peterson, Michelle Rust, Sandra Travis, Mary Badaracco, Star Boomer, Venus Stewart, Patty Vaughhan, Hope Meek, Tabitha Franklin, Jeri Duvall, Karen Joe Smith or Jacque Waller to name only a few?

Each of the aforementioned are currently missing, in my opinion, victims of intimate partner homicide.

Approaches to this deadly epidemic must be implemented if lives are to be saved. When a system continues to do the same old thing, the outcome will not change. As it relates to intimate partner violence, the prescription can begin with a training to prosecutors, law enforcement, mental health professionals, judges, hospitals and the community. The methods being taught in conjunction with the information located in the book "Time's Up" is not only saving counties across the country tax payer dollars, it is saving lives.

Know that if you are in a relationship that has a history of violence, simply mustering up the courage to confront the person and say it is over, without the proper tools, can cost you, your life!

The book "Time's Up A Guide on How To Survive and Abusive and Stalking Relationship" is the prescription, if you will, that every person must obtain before they announce they are leaving. Below is an example from Chapter 4, one of many unique tools provided in the book. It is available onAmazon.com, or you can purchase via e-book or on a cd. If you have questions, the email address is: timesupforjustice@gmail.com

Before you decide that you have had enough and are ending the relationship create for yourself the "Evidentiary Abuse Affidavit" and video (shown below).

Evidentiary Abuse Affidavit by Susan Murphy Milano from the Book "Time's Up" from Courage Network on Vimeo.

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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.

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.

Justice Interrupted Investigates: Tuesday January 6, 2009

Nearly 10 years after Ronda Reynolds body was found in her home, shot to death, new evidence and various experts are convinced it was a staged crime scene.

From the incorrect time line to the postioning of the weapon to persons in the home.

Ronda Reynolds was killed, the crime scene was made to look like a suicide.

Come join us on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 as we discuss the facts in the case and why the coroner refuses to budge from their original cause of death.

Also on the show, crime author Diane Fanning and famed attorney Shawn Chapman Holly.

To Listen Live go to http://www.blogtalkradio.com/justiceinterrupted

Show time: 10:00PM CST 11:00PM EST