Domestic violence is a tragedy for all involved. It becomes even more of a tragedy when those involved have managed to separate themselves from the violent situation only to be later assaulted and ultimately lose their life, whether through domestic violence homicide or imprisoned due to a domestic violence charge. Unfortunately, situations such as these play out every day throughout the world.

In 2014, while sitting in their vehicle a Judge in Ohio punched his wife 20 times, slammed her head into the dashboard five times, while also choking her and biting her as his two young daughters sat in the backseat to witness it all. The woman's injuries required reconstructive surgery. After the judge was in police custody, the woman filed for divorce. The judge was sentenced to nine months in prison. After his release from prison, he was hired to work for the mayor of Cleveland. Last week, the former judge drove to his estranged wife's house and stabbed her to death.

Also last week, a 32-year old Corrections Officer in Poughkeepsie was arrested for stabbing his ex-wife to death. State police were called to the former wife's home around 11:00 p.m. and attempted to resuscitate the young mother who was pronounced dead at the scene. An investigation by police led to the arrest of her ex-husband. The former couple divorced in 2016 and the man remarried in 2017. He has been charged with domestic violence murder and is being held without bail.

Domestic Violence and Homicide

According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), 19% of all domestic violence incidents involve the use of a weapon and 72% of all murder-suicides involve an intimate partner. Ninety-four percent of those victims are women. Unfortunately, like the children in the scenario with the judge, one in every fifteen children are exposed to domestic violence every year, and 90% of children who are exposed to domestic violence are actually eyewitnesses to the violence. Shockingly, “Between 2003 and 2008, 142 women were murdered in their workplace by their abuser."

Domestic Violence and Homicide in Washington State

The most recent domestic violence homicide statistics from NCADV for Washington are from 2014. In that year, there were 44 Washington residents killed due to domestic violence. Nearly 52% of women killed in Washington domestic violence homicides were killed with guns. According to researchers, the mere presence of a gun in the home during a domestic violence incident increases the chance that a homicide will occur by 500%.

Contact The Law Offices of Steve Karimi

Domestic violence in a very serious crime in Washington. If you or a loved one have been arrested for any domestic violence crime, whether it be assault, harassment, or rape, you need strong legal representation. Steve Karimi is a top-rated criminal defense lawyer in the King County area. Contact the Law Offices of Steve Karimi today to begin discussing the defense options for your case.