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This story of domestic violence did not happen within my geographic location, but I saw this story on television and I have seen her story on various talk shows. I got this story from a Syracuse article which dated back to June 2010. Yvette was set on fire by her husband in front of co-workers and customers. Three weeks prior to this even, a judge denied Yvette's plea to extend her protection order against her ex-husband. Yvette claimed the abuse began after marriage and he often wanted to keep her in isolation from family and friends. Based on her story, not many appeared to want to step in and protect Yvette, especially the day she was set on fire. He supervisor did attempt to call the police but no one went above and beyond to help Yvette. I am glad that Yvette survived but in her story it shows how the legal system continuously fails domestic violence victims. If the judge had granted her the PO extension, the outcome may have been different. Yvette's ex-husband had some male batterer traits that were discussed in the text such as being angry, jealous, abusive and controlling. Based on Yvette's desire to get help, I think I would be able to provide her with community resources as well as advocate for her to get the protection she needed.
Set on Fire by Ex-Husband
Article Link:http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2010/06/woman_set_on_fire_by_ex-husban.html

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I saw this clipping on January 28, 2018 when searching for articles on family/domestic violence. This picture speaks volumes on what a child sees and how it affects them in the long run. Kids are innocent bystanders and often go on to repeat abuse/violence they were exposed to during childhood. Beth described in her story how her children began to treat her as Sam did. The violence they witnessed and experienced grew into a learned behavior in which they though was acceptable. I believe society ignores IPV in homes and they are unaware of the long term effects. Children are a difficult subject for me and I would have a hard time intervening in a IPV situation. I am uncertain that I would be able to separate myself from the situation after work hours, which is not good for myself or my client.

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James Woo Kills Mistress Jan 25, 2018 Colorado Gazette

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James Woo Kills Mistress Jan 25, 2018 Colorado Gazette

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As Richard Root spoke in court Tuesday about the toll of his daughter's horrific murder on their family, her killer couldn't be bothered to let the grieving father talk.

"I'd like to get out of here, Sarge," killer James Takchuan Woo told Root at the end of his 10-day trial in 4th Judicial District Court.

Woo was found guilty Tuesday of the first-degree murder of Julie Tureson. Moments after his comment to Root, he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

His out-of-turn comments - condemned by the prosecution as a flagrant lack of remorse - came after a jury deliberated only 18 minutes before convicting Woo, 40, who hired a nationally reknowned defense attorney credited with winning acquittals for ex-football star Aaron Hernandez and Florida mother Casey Anthony.

District Attorney Dan May called the jury's decision "the fastest homicide verdict I've ever had."

"What the DA's office did today was built on what the El Paso County Sheriff's Office did," May said after the sentencing. "They did a fabulous job, and I think they demonstrated that in this case."

Prosecutors had argued that Woo, in a bitter and jealous rage, began plotting 33-year-old Tureson's murder about the time that the couple broke up in late March or early April 2016.

On April 22, 2016, her body was found handcuffed to the inside of her vehicle's passenger door inside a Platte Avenue storage unit that Woo had rented almost two weeks earlier.

The mother of four children was covered in baking soda and surrounded by coolers filled with a sweet-smelling liquid that prosecutors said was Woo's attempt to hide the odor of her corpse.

A Walmart receipt showed that he had purchased large amounts of vinegar and baking soda days earlier, and surveillance footage from a Walgreens near the storage unit showed him dropping several items in the trash a few hours before Tureson's body was found.

"We finally have closure, and we know the person responsible isn't going to breathe a breath of fresh air ever again," said Jessica Stark, Tureson's younger sister. "The prosecution worked their tails off. The Sheriff's Office worked their tails off. We really appreciate that everyone took their due diligence to make sure justice was served."

Woo's prominent lead attorney, Jose Baez, had argued that Woo found Tureson's body after she was killed by someone else and disposed of it in a panic, trying to flee to China because he knew he would be the "No. 1 suspect."

Woo was arrested while trying to board a flight to Hong Kong the day Tureson's body was found.

Baez, who was not present for the verdict, stressed during his closing argument that the prosecution had provided plenty of information about what happened before and after Tureson's death but left questions unanswered about the actual murder.

"We thought there was some reasonable doubt as it related to the actual killing of Julie Tureson, but we respect the jury's verdict," defense attorney Richard Bednarski told The Gazette. "In my opinion, Jose did a fabulous job. He pointed out all of the specific questions that related to the case."

The defense had repeatedly highlighted the couple's unconventional relationship. Woo and Tureson were married when they met on a dating site years ago. Contracts, revised repeatedly when the couple broke up and got back together again, show that he paid her thousands of dollars a month to stay with him.

Defense attorneys said Woo, who lived in San Francisco, had rented the storage unit because he was preparing to move in with Tureson so the two could have a child together. He bought the baking soda and vinegar to clean her home, they said.

Before giving the sentence, the automatic penalty for first-degree murder, Judge Jann DuBois asked Woo if he had anything to say.

"Yes," he said. "I'd like to be sentenced to life without parole, and let's get out of here."

-

Contact Rachel Riley: 636-0108

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James Woo remorseless after first-degree murder conviction in Colorado Springs

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As Richard Root spoke in court Tuesday about the toll of his daughter's horrific murder on their family, her killer couldn't be bothered to let the grieving father talk. "I'd like to get out of here, Sarge," killer James Takchuan Woo told Root at the end of his 10-day trial in 4th Judicial District Court.

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Denver is on pace for another violent year after 12 people were killed in October, putting the number of homicides in 2016 at 44 - already the third-highest total in the past decade with two months remaining.

Unlike past years when gang violence was blamed, the high number of homicides this year is being fueled by domestic violence. Ten people have been killed in nine cases where domestic violence was the cause, said Sonny Jackson, a Denver police spokesman. That's nearly one of every four people killed this year in the city.

In 2015, Denver saw just one death attributed to domestic violence.

Over the weekend, a 25-year-old man allegedly strangled his partner after cutting off his ankle monitor and eluding police who had been on the lookout for him.

In June, Cara Russell, a former Buena Vista mayor, was shot to death in her office on the second floor of The Alliance Center by her estranged husband. He killed himself inside a stairwell as hundreds of office workers fled into the streets.

Track this year's homicides in Denver, and compare the city's homicide rate to Denver's homicide rate in past years.

And in July, a mother and her daughter in Montbello were killed by the daughter's boyfriend, a Colorado parolee. Investigators believe 45-year-old Raquel Cordero-Cuesta was killed when she tried to help her 26-year-old daughter, Maira Cordero-Cuesta, who was being attacked by her estranged boyfriend, according to arrest warrants.

"We're telling people 'See something, say something' doesn't just apply to suspicious packages," Jackson said. "If you see someone in crisis, let someone know."

The 12 homicides in October were the highest number in a month in Denver in at least the past six years.

In 2015, there were 50 people killed in Denver, making it the most deadly year for violence since 2006. The 2015 homicide rate matched a national pattern of rising violent crime, and, in Denver, it was driven by gang violence.

This year, however, Denver police have only reported eight gang-related homicides as of Oct. 31, compared with 21 during the same period in 2015, Jackson said.

Two of this year's homicides include elderly women who died from complications of bone fractures after they were shoved by fellow residents in care facilities, according to records from the Denver medical examiner's office.

Five other people have been killed by Denver police, and their deaths are not included in the year-to-date total.

Wednesday, Denver District Attorney Mitch Morrissey addressed the rising number of domestic violence-related deaths during the annual Denver Public Safety Luncheon.

"It's been unusual, but we've had an awful lot of domestic violence incidents this year," Morrissey said.

The district attorney's office is doing its part by using a state law that went into effect in July that allows prosecutors to charge people with felonies when they attempt to strangle a domestic partner, he said.

Since July, the DA's staff has filed 92 felony domestic violence strangulation cases, Morrissey said.

The details in Saturday's death of 23-year-old Araceli Esparza Miranda indicate the new strangulation law had been used just weeks before her death.

Miranda's partner, 25-year-old Jose Vallejo-Cano, had been charged Oct. 2 with felony aggravated assault/domestic violence after he allegedly choked her. Vallejo-Cano was released from jail on a $30,000 bond and was given a restraining order and ankle monitor.

But early Sunday, the ankle monitor sent a signal that it had been tampered with and an arrest warrant was issued for Vallejo-Cano, according to his arrest affidavit.

Within hours, though, police found Miranda dead in the back seat of a car in an industrial area of northeast Denver. And Vallejo-Cano was found hiding behind a garbage bin with blood on his pants, the arrest affidavit said.

Miranda left behind four children, ages 6 years to 8 months, according to a GoFundMe page in her name.

The strangulation law was created because domestic violence victims often report being choked or strangled by partners, said Margaret Abrams, executive director of the Rose Andom Center.

"It's the ultimate form of control, when literally you can control whether your victim is breathing or not," Abrams said.

See our heatmap and neighborhood rankings of reported domestic violence in Denver.

This year, people who work to stop domestic violence have been asking themselves why fatalities are up and what they can do to stop it, Abrams said.

The metro Denver area has a Domestic Violence Fatality Review Committee that looks into the circumstances of each death and searches for trends, Abrams said. But it is too soon to have reached conclusions about what has been happening this year.

"It ebbs and flows," Abrams said. "There's no succinct answer on why it happens."

___

Where to get help for domestic violence

Safe House Denver
Website: safehouse-denver.org
Phone number: 303-318-9989

Rose Andum Center
Website: roseandomcenter.org
Phone number: 720-337-4400

Gateway Domestic Violence Services
Website: gateway2.org
Phone number: 303-343-1851

Colorado Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Website: ccadv.org
Phone number: 888-778-7091

___
Denver Post data journalist Kevin Hamm contributed to this report.

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Denver homicides spike in October, fueled by domestic violence cases

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Denver is on pace to have another violent year after 12 people were killed in October, putting this year's homicide total at 44 -- already the second-highest total in the past decade with two months left to go in the year.

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You went out with your friends to celebrate the weekend. Now you find yourself with a DUI. Or maybe things got a little heated with your partner and the next thing you know you are in jail, being told you cannot have contact with your partner. You're scared, disappointed in yourself, and worried. How will this event impact you, your job, and your family? What you need is clarity and direction so you can make the best decisions for you and your family.

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Fort Collins - Lawyers for Criminal Defense, Sex Assault, Domestic Violence, Car Accident

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You went out with your friends to celebrate the weekend. Now you find yourself with a DUI. Or maybe things got a little heated with your partner and the next thing you know you are in jail, being told you cannot have contact with your partner. You're scared, disappointed in yourself, and worried.

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I was able to find some resources for families experiencing DV or IPV (January 30, 2018). This shelter is almost always near capacity and they do not keep a waiting list. If space is not available, the victim will have to find a safe place to wait until the shelter has space available. The children (victims of IPV) that come to the shelter are offered conflict resolution training and they teach the children that hitting and biting is not the best way to communicate. Most victims stay on a average of 30 days and can stay up to 8 weeks. I love that this shelter is available to victims however, since their capacity is almost always full it shows that we need more shelters in place within the communities to help those who are unable to get help. It could be a matter of life and death for a victim when space is not available. I recall with Beth's story she stayed at a shelter but she was only able to stay for a couple of weeks and she was forced back into her abusive relationship. At least at this Crossroads shelter, they try to help families get back on their feet independently by helping with housing, jobs and counseling. My capacity to intervene would be limited because taking on the stories of these victims would be difficult although I would find great joy in helping them.

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Editor's note: The Coloradoan has agreed to withhold the names and identifying information of the women and children featured in this story to protect them from their abusers.
Brightly colored hand prints mark a wall in a small, sunlit playroom at Crossroads Safehouse, each one a reminder of a child caught in the crossfire of domestic violence.

Not all of the 250 children who stayed at the Fort Collins domestic abuse shelter last year were marked by the hands of an abuser, but all have had to stitch their lives back together within Crossroads' walls.

Three-year-old June used to pull her hair out in anxiety as her father's abuse escalated against her mother, Jenny, and her 7-year-old sister, Mary, who still uses baby talk and tells her mother she wants to die.

NORTHERN COLORADO: Mental health: When no help is found

Ben, 12, is angry that he's at the shelter with his mom, Sara, and his two younger siblings after fleeing Sara's abuser for the second time. He tires of blowing bubbles, coloring and sharing a room with his family each night. He just wants his mom to "get it together," Sara said.

"I think in his heart, he knows that what we're doing is better than what was going on," she said. "But he's angry that it's all happened."

June, Mary and Ben are among more than 90 kids who have stayed at Crossroads Safehouse through May this year. Many suffer developmental delays because of their exposure to abuse. Some suffer brain damage from the trauma of abuse, whether it was directed at them or their caregiver.

Over the past six years, nearly half of those seeking refuge from domestic abuse at Crossroads have been children. Earlier this month, the Fort Collins victims shelter offered the Coloradoan unprecedented access inside its walls to share their stories.

Those fleeing abusers stay at Crossroads for an average of 30 days, though they can stay for up to eight weeks. Some, like Sara and her children, may return for a second stay after giving their abusers another chance.

Crossroads is almost always near or at capacity, and doesn't keep a wait list. When the shelter is full, these children and their mothers have to find a safe place to wait, calling back daily in hopes of finding an open room. Last year, Crossroads received 1,300 crisis calls for shelter and emergency services. It sheltered more than 500 individuals.

Getting into Crossroads can offer time for victims to stabilize and make a plan without constant fear and stress - or financial obligations. Victims stay at Crossroads free of charge and are given food and other basic necessities so they can focus their efforts on escaping abuse.

"I can actually think," Jenny said. "It's not, 'What is he going to do next?' anymore."

Life in shelter

Crossroads Safehouse is a fortress tucked in an established neighborhood of single-family homes near Fort Collins' Spring Creek Trail.

Unlike many safe houses across the country, its location has been public since opening at 421 Parker St. in 2011. The building relies on multiple layers of security instead of the secrecy it relied on for three decades prior in homes on Sherwood Street.

HOMELESS: Six months of struggle: Fort Collins family seeks home

Its residents come and go as they please. They leave to hunt for jobs or permanent housing. Children go to daycare and school.

"We want to help them get back in a routine as soon as possible," said Crossroads Youth Programs Manager Barbara Dean.

When the children are "home," as many call Crossroads, they have to stay within eyesight of their mom, but a few times a week, mom and kids go to separate group therapy sessions. In play sessions, kids are allowed to draw as many pictures as they want, however they want, which Dean said gives children who often never had a choice in life the power to take charge.

Each child goes through a Crossroads program, "Hands are not for Hitting," to learn fundamentals of positive human interactions and conflict resolution.

"A lot of times they've been living in these households that are violent or have a lot of screaming and yelling," Dean said. "They see that arguments are finished by someone yelling at somebody or someone hitting somebody. ... Those kids who come in biting or hitting realize this isn't the best way to solve their problems."

Moms with children at Crossroads often form a community of support and camaraderie in their struggles, cooking together and throwing birthday parties for their children.

Families garden together in community plots inside Crossroads' fortress. That's one of June's favorite things to do, Jenny said, smiling as her toddler pointed proudly to tomatoes, spinach and the other vegetables she's tended.

At night, families share a room, which can "definitely be really, really challenging at 8 p.m.," Jenny said. They share a bathroom with another family and common areas, including kitchens, community gardens and play rooms, with other residents.

The shelter can serve up to 104 people at a time. Executive Director of Operations and Programs Pat Parker said the shelter typically operates between 90 percent and full capacity.

The nonprofit served 93 children and 51 mothers by the end of May.

PREVENTION: Fort Collins family confronts child abuse cases

Crossroads does not have housing for fathers fleeing domestic violence with their children, but Pat Parker said demand is low. She could only recall two requests for service for men with children. Right now, they are turned away because Crossroads does not have appropriate separate housing for single fathers.

Crossroads has served only one adult male through May this year. The facility can house one man at a time in a single room. Male clients share common areas with the rest of Crossroad's clients, Parker said.

After eight weeks or less, residents will go their separate ways, hopefully toward a better future.

"They aren't going to leave this building perfect, but they're so much further than when they started," Dean said.

Tackling the toll of abuse

Shortly before Jenny decided to leave her abusive husband in another state, her oldest daughter began talking about "not wanting to be real." Mary's talk of self-harm has only escalated since the family came to Crossroads more than two months ago.

"At one point she actually said she wished she had a knife so she could kill herself," Jenny said.

"We think that our kids can't hear, but they picked up on something," Dean said. "They felt that tension. They may not know what it was, but they know (something is happening)."
Crossroads Youth Programs Manager Barbara Dean
Though Jenny suffered the brunt of her husband's emotional, verbal and sexual abuse, the emotional scars on her children were clear. She knew Mary needed help that didn't exist in their rural hometown. She sought help from her church, which was "fantastically unhelpful."

She was talked out of leaving three times prior to coming to Crossroads and struggled with the idea of her children coming from a "broken home."

A family member trying to convince her to flee made a painful point: "Your home is already broken." Jenny knew they were right - her home had been shattered the moment her husband's abuse began.

"The reason I was staying doesn't actually exist anymore," Jenny said. "It never has, for years and years and years."

Child and family mental health specialist Caroline Schumacher said leaving an abusive situation is "a really personal decision" for families. She has worked with families from Crossroads for several years under a grant that is now dwindling.

"There can be a lot of judgment or perceived judgment for leaving or not leaving," Schumacher said.

Sara, another Crossroads client, said her decision to leave six years of abuse came with "a lot of guilt."

"They love their dad so much," she said. "They don't know what he's doing wrong. They see it sometimes or they hear it, but they just know that it's their dad and they love him, and he loves them."

Children at Crossroads

Crossoads Safehouse served 130 adults and 93 children through emergency shelter through May this year.

Of those 93 children:

22 were younger than 2 years of age, including three newborns born during their stay in shelter

23 were between 2 and 5 years old

37 were between 6 and 12 years old

11 were between 13 and 17 years old

Her partner, the father of Sara's two youngest children, knows his family is at Crossroads and isn't happy about it. This is the second time Sara has taken the kids and sought refuge from him. The first time, he promised change. Sara soon found out those promises were as solid as smoke.

"If I would have been able to disconnect completely, I'd be in a different place right now," she said, wiping away tears. "I wouldn't be here, but I decided to return."

For the most part, her children were spared from physical abuse. Dean said that doesn't mean the kids were unharmed.

"We think that our kids can't hear, but they picked up on something," Dean said. "They felt that tension. They may not know what it was, but they know (something is happening)."

Children of abused parents, and those who are abused directly, can suffer brain damage, Schumacher said. Less dramatically, they can struggle behaviorally, socially and emotionally.

Moving into a safe place, like Crossroads, can be the first step to helping children stabilize, Schumacher said.

"Not having two parents can be less detrimental than having an abusive parent," she said. "What research shows us with that is the sooner kids have intervention, the better their outcomes will be."

HOUSING: Redtail Ponds is saving you money, and here's how

Living in a place free from abuse and manipulation has made Jenny "a much better mom." She said her children's behavior has improved in tandem with her increasing emotional stability.

After nearly two months at the Fort Collins shelter, Jenny and her children left Crossroads in June to start a new life in Colorado with a family member who lives nearby. Jenny left more than eight years of marriage behind for the hope of a safe future.

"It's been totally worth it," she said.

June stopped pulling her hair out during their stay at Crossroads. Mary is still battling her demons, but Jenny is hopeful that continued safety will bring her the normalcy she's rediscovering in herself.

"I'm sane, I'm kind, I'm nice," she said. "I just don't have all of that stress on me. ... I brush my kids' teeth every day now because I can actually remember to brush their teeth. I play with them now. I'm happy now."

Follow Sarah Jane Kyle on Twitter @sarahjanekyle or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/reportersarahjane. Keep up with social issues in Northern Colorado by subscribing to the Life Connected newsletter.

Domestic violence: How to get help

If you are in an abusive relationship and need help, call Crossroads Safehouse, 888-541-SAFE (7233) or 970-482-3502. If you need immediate help because you or someone else is in danger, call 911.

Crossroads serves women and their children and teens, along with men and all identifying genders. The organization also provides support services for victims including outreach programming, foster care for pets of clients staying in shelter and more.

Learn more about how to stay safe while seeking help at crossroadssafehouse.org/home/i-need-help.

Read or Share this story: http://noconow.co/29hXnI7

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Children fill Fort Collins domestic violence shelter

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CLOSE Editor's note: The Coloradoan has agreed to withhold the names and identifying information of the women and children featured in this story to protect them from their abusers. Brightly colored hand prints mark a wall in a small, sunlit playroom at Crossroads Safehouse, each one a reminder of a child caught in the crossfire of domestic violence.

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The Coloradoan investigated domestic violence in Larimer County through data, documents and interviews to dispel the misconception that it doesn't exist in our community.

In October, Amy Myhre stood in front of 450 people to share her experience with domestic violence.

Sunlight streamed through the room's eastern windows as attendees gathered in the Colorado State University Stadium Club to eat breakfast, learn and donate money to Fort Collins domestic violence shelter Crossroads Safehouse.

As Myhre delivered an impassioned speech Oct. 19 about her story of survival, police less than a mile away investigated what would ultimately be called Larimer County's deadliest shooting in more than a decade - an instance of domestic violence that left three people dead.

Investigators say Michael Zamora laid in wait in a darkened parking lot - armed with two rifles and a handgun - and ambushed his 22-year-old girlfriend on her birthday. Savannah McNealy and 26-year-old Tristian Kemp were killed, and Megan Dierker, 21, is slowly recovering from her injuries.

In the months preceding Zamora's attack, Larimer County juries convicted two men of first-degree murder in domestic violence cases - one the brutal stabbing of Sara and Kathy Mondragon, and the other the execution of 18-year-old Ashley Doolittle.

These cases represent only a fraction of the domestic violence cases perpetuated and prosecuted in Larimer County each year, but their extreme nature thrust into public view what is often a private crime from which an untold number of victims suffer.

In each of the past five years, more than one in 10 criminal cases in Larimer County have involved domestic violence, according to data from the Colorado Judicial Branch.

Last month alone, officers in Larimer County arrested 75 people who they say were violent or threatened to be violent against their partners. Police say perpetrators assaulted their partners, stole from them, harassed them, violated restraining orders, and abused their children.

These crimes happen every day.

"Between Crossroads and my staff, we have anywhere from three to five new domestic violence cases a day that we're following up on," Fort Collins Police Services victims' advocate Britta Clay said. "Those are the cases that are reported or that people reach out for services.

"That is a very small number of what is really happening."

Stopping the pattern

Myhre said the abuse she faced from her ex-husband escalated over the years and continued after they had two children.

However, she doesn't want to detail the abuse because she doesn't want to give his actions power. She also wants to protect their children, she said, which is why she requested the Coloradoan not use his name in this story.

Court records show Myhre's ex-husband was arrested and charged with violating a restraining order, stalking and harassment, but those charges were later dismissed as part of a deferred sentence.

"We often think of abuse as being physical ... but along with that is a lot of controlling behavior and emotional and psychological abuse."
Karen Ramirez, volunteer at Crossroads Safehouse
When police responded to an alleged violation of the restraining order, they provided Myhre with resources.

"An officer gave me a brochure for Crossroads and said, 'I think that they can help you,'" she said.

Colorado defines domestic violence as an act or threatened act of violence against a person with whom the perpetrator has been involved in an intimate relationship. This includes any other crime against a person, their property or their pets when that crime is used as a method of coercion, control, punishment, intimidation or revenge.

One in four women and one in seven men will be victims of severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime, according to statistic compiled by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

And, on any given day, more than 20,000 phone calls are placed to domestic violence hotlines nationwide. Last year, Crossroads Safehouse's crisis line took 1,654 calls, a 25 percent increase from the organization's six-year average.

"We often think of abuse as being physical - and a lot of time it escalates to being physical - but along with that is a lot of controlling behavior and emotional and psychological abuse," said Karen Ramirez, a volunteer at Crossroads Safehouse. "That can be just as painful as the physical abuse, if not more so, sometimes."

'In the Know' podcast: Domestic violence

Ramirez spends each Tuesday night volunteering for Crossroads Safehouse. When called upon, Ramirez crisscrosses the city to aid victims of domestic violence. She carries a red tote bag stuffed with essentials: a notebook, intake forms, information about victims' rights, a cellphone that only calls 911, a panda beanie baby and a box of crayons for the children.

Ramirez is one of 24 volunteers who join Crossroads Safehouse staff on the shelter's Domestic Abuse Response Team. When police arrest an alleged domestic abuser, they often page Crossroads so an advocate can meet with the victim. Advocates aided 292 people in this way last year.

"I really want to get support for people so that this pattern doesn't repeat itself over and over again," Ramirez said.

Her most important role, she said, is to listen and provide support - whether that means explaining next steps in the court proceedings or providing information about the services Crossroads Safehouse provides, such as shelter, safety planning and legal advocacy and representation.

The next business day, an advocate from Crossroads will follow up to help victims create a long-term plan.

Ramirez also compiles a report, during which she asks victims about what risk factors are present, such as an escalation of violence or overt threats.

"There are a lot of questions that we ask, and they're uncomfortable questions to ask," Ramirez said. "But I think what it does is it helps (victims) realize how at risk they are."

Victims are most at risk of being injured or killed when they decide to leave their relationship because their perpetrators sense a loss of control, Crossroads advocates said.

'This is serious. This is dangerous.'

When Myhre left her ex-husband, she and her children fled to Crossroads Safehouse, where they were given a voucher to stay in a local hotel room.

Last year, the organization provided emergency shelter to 248 women, seven men and 179 children.

"The biggest (misconception) is that domestic violence doesn't happen in our community."
FCPS victims' advocate Britta Clay
"I took the kids to Crossroads because I had no idea what was going on," Myhre said. "I had no idea what to do. I was afraid that he would say, 'This is all in her head. She's crazy.' But then the advocates said, 'This is serious. This is dangerous. You need to know that this is domestic violence.'"

Although Myhre's went through the legal system, many cases go unreported.

Across the country, 20 people are physically abused by an intimate partner every minute, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

"The biggest (misconception) is that domestic violence doesn't happen in our community," Fort Collins police victims' advocate Britta Clay said. "It does. It's very, very prevalent. ... One thing with domestic violence is it doesn't discriminate. ... We see it everywhere"

At Risk: Child abuse in Larimer County

Sometimes, legal intervention occurs not because victims report the abuse but because neighbors or other bystanders report it.

Officers are trained to recognize the cycle of power and control that perpetrators create, and they're trained to ask questions about details a victim might not think to offer initially, Clay said. They're trained to document how long the abuse has been occurring and what mental and emotional abuse the perpetrator has inflicted.

"It's really important for officers to understand all of the elements and all of the dynamics of domestic violence, so that when they do an interview, they know what to look for," Clay said.

Sometimes, victims know that staying can sometimes more safe than leaving, Clay said.

"Victims know how to keep themselves safe," she said. "That's why a lot of victims will go back and they will stay in that cycle, because they know that's what's going to keep them safe. That's what's going to keep their kids safe."

Rebuilding

Myhre views her life now as a second chance.

She's the executive director of Front Range Ranch and Rescue, a Fort Collins nonprofit that rehabilitates horses and other farm animals and then employs them to treat veterans and survivors of domestic violence.

When she walks onto the farm, the cries and squawks of the animals replace the sounds of the city. The ranch has 11 horses and a motley collection of llamas, alpacas, goats and birds.

It's here she finds peace.

"My job is to let people know that there's hope out there. You're not alone."
Amy Myhre
Myhre spends her days tending to the farm animals, providing therapy to community members and taking classes at Colorado State University. Crossroads Safehouse and Project Self Sufficiency have helped her rebuild her life, she said. She volunteered and then interned with Crossroads Safehouse, and she's since earned an associate degree from Front Range Community College and a bachelor's degree from CSU in social work.

She's taking classes to earn her master's degree, after which she hopes to open her own practice in equine therapy and continue to share her story.

"My job is to let people know that there's hope out there. You're not alone," she said. "... Telling my story helps people know: There's not one type of person who experiences domestic violence. There's domestic violence in every realm."
Reporter Cassa Niedringhaus covers breaking news for the Coloradoan. Follow her on Twitter: @CassaMN.
Like this story? Support our journalism

About domestic violence

Domestic violence is a pattern of abuse that can include physical, sexual, emotional, verbal, and financial elements in which the abuser's conscious or unconscious goal is to gain or maintain control. There are not always physical signs of abuse.

About one in four women and one in seven men will be the victims of severe physical violence inflicted by a partner in their lifetimes.

Annually, about 10 million people are physically abused by an intimate partner.

Behaviors by a partner that are warning signs of abuse:

Checking your cellphone or email without permission

Constantly putting you down

Extreme jealousy or insecurity

Explosive temper

Isolating you from family or friends

Making false accusations

Mood swings

Physically hurting you in any way

Possessiveness

Telling you what to do

Pressuring you or forcing you to have sex

Sources: Crossroads Safehouse and The Ashley Doolittle Foundation

Larimer County domestic violence cases

2012: 758 of 6071 misdemeanor and felony cases filed were flagged for domestic violence

2013: 692 of 5445 misdemeanor and felony cases filed were flagged for domestic violence

2014: 697 of 5447 misdemeanor and felony cases filed were flagged for domestic violence

2015: 701 of 5870 misdemeanor and felony cases filed were flagged for domestic violence

2016: 756 of 6493 misdemeanor and felony cases filed were flagged for domestic violence

Local resources

Each of these numbers is a 24/7 crisis hotline.

CLOSE

Read or Share this story: http://noconow.co/2AOgBNV

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'We see it everywhere': Domestic violence widespread in Larimer County

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CLOSE The Coloradoan investigated domestic violence in Larimer County through data, documents and interviews to dispel the misconception that it doesn't exist in our community. In October, Amy Myhre stood in front of 450 people to share her experience with domestic violence.

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SafeHouse Denver Domestic Violence Services

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SafeHouse Denver serves survivors of domestic violence and their children through both an emergency shelter and a non-residential Counseling and Advocacy Center.

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Colorado Domestic Violence Law Feb. 4, 2018

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Colorado Domestic Violence Law Feb. 4, 2018

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What You Need to Know About Colorado Domestic Violence Laws

Being arrested for domestic violence can be a nightmare. Things like mandatory arrest laws, mandatory no contact orders, criminal charges and the stigma of being a batterer, are all common and unforeseen. First, it's important to know what Colorado law considers domestic violence. C.R.S. 18-6-800.3(1) defines domestic violence as:

"an act or threatened act of violence upon a person with whom the actor is or has been involved in an intimate relationship. "Domestic violence" also includes any other crime against a person, or against property, including an animal, or any municipal ordinance violation against a person, or against property, including an animal, when used as a method of coercion, control, punishment, intimidation, or revenge directed against a person with whom the actor is or has been involved in an intimate relationship."

Intimate relationship is defined in C.R.S. 18-6-800.3(2) as:
"a relationship between spouses, former spouses, past or present unmarried couples, or persons who are both the parents of the same child regardless of whether the persons have been married or have lived together at any time."
Keep in mind that domestic violence is not a crime itself; rather it's a sentencing enhancer that can be attached to nearly any other crime. Moreover, you don't necessarily need to subject someone to physical contact to be charged with domestic violence. Breaking property, threatening someone, texting or calling repeatedly, or even using obscene language can result in a charge. What's worse is that Colorado is considered a mandatory arrest state. Pursuant to C.R.S. 18-6-803.6, when a peace officer determines that there is probable cause to believe that a crime or offense involving domestic violence, as defined in section 18-6-800.3 (1), has been committed, the officer shall, without undue delay, arrest the person suspected of its commission pursuant to the provisions in subsection. Basically, you need to know, if police are called, someone is going to jail. If you are contacted by police and believe you may be arrested, don't make any statement. You have the right to remain silent and use it.

Once someone is arrested for domestic violence, a mandatory restraining order enters. That means that you cannot have contact with the named victim(s) during the period of the restraining order. It's a separate criminal charge if you do. Also, third party contact counts, so don't call the victim's best friend and ask them to contact the victim.

One of the biggest misconceptions about domestic violence cases is that the victim can simply "drop" the charges. This couldn't be further from the truth. Colorado law says that a prosecutor cannot drop domestic violence charges unless they believe it would be impossible to prove the case at trial. This "no-drop" prosecution policy means that the victim can tell the DA to dismiss the case until they are blue in the face, but the DA isn't allowed (not that they would anyway). So don't think that because you and your significant other made up and they want the case dismissed that it will be.

So what should you do if you are arrested for domestic violence? First, don't say a word. Invoke your right to remain silent. This is critical. Saying something you think may help you often does the exact opposite and makes the state's case stronger. Next, bond out of jail and have absolutely no contact with the named victim. Don't text them, call them, email them, write them, nothing. Until the restraining order has expired, you face the penalty of a new case being filed, which may ultimately lead to the your bond being revoked for committing a new offense. Even if the victim is trying to contact you, don't pick up or respond. Remember, you're the one that is restrained, not them. Next, hire an attorney to handle your case. I know what you're thinking, "here comes the sales pitch", but it's not. If you choose to hire our firm, that's great, we'd be happy to help, but if not, that's fine to, but do hire an attorney who handles these cases and has a superior history of handling them. Look for former district attorney's, as they know the ins and outs of the DA's office like no other attorney could. Look for an attorney who has a proven track record of taking these cases to trial and winning. There are so many attorneys who haven't been in front of a jury since they were wearing a polyester suit to court. While your case may not need to go to trial, DA's know what defense attorney's regularly go to trial and win, and those who take a plea on every case. Obviously, the attorney's who win at trial get a better offer than those who take a deal on every case. You have way to much riding on this case to let an attorney who doesn't know what they're doing handle it, or worse yet, trying to handle it on your own. A domestic violence conviction will prevent you from owning a firearm under the Lautenberg Amendement, can impact the possibility of future employment and it will follow you for your whole life.

-Steven Rodemer, Esq.

About Steven Rodemer, Esq.

Steven Rodemer is a criminal defense attorney in Colorado Springs at The Law Office of Steven Rodemer, LLC. Steve has been named as one of the "Top 40 Attorneys Under 40" by the National Trial Lawyers for four straight years, a "Top 100" DUI Attorney by the National Advocacy for DUI Defense in 2014 and 2015 and was named as a "Rising Star" by Super Lawyers in 2014 and 2015. Steven handles cases in the areas of divorce, DUI / DWAI and criminal defense.

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What You Need to Know About Colorado Domestic Violence Laws

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Being arrested for domestic violence can be a nightmare. Things like mandatory arrest laws, mandatory no contact orders, criminal charges and the stigma of being a batterer, are all common and unforeseen. First, it's important to know what Colorado law considers domestic violence. C.R.S. 18-6-800.3(1) defines domestic violence as: "an act or threatened act of ...

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Dying For Change (DV) Denver Jan. 23, 2018

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Dying For Change (DV) Denver Jan. 23, 2018

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Domestic Violence reports not taken seriously or outright ignored. Families broken due to missed warning signs by law enforcement.

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Denver, CO Domestic Violence Stories | Denver7 | thedenverchannel.com

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Denver7 Investigates and the Denver7 news team explore the issue of domestic violence as it impacts Colorado, and whether police are doing enough to address it.

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I located the comic photo while searching for local DV articles on January 20, 2018. I found this comic interesting because of the dialogue. The victim appears to want help, but she may be afraid due to threats made by her perpetrator. This comic reminds me of Beth and her story of how she protected her husband Sam for fear that he would take her kids or kill her. The young lady appears to be her friend and is aware that abuse is going on but cant seem to get through to her friend. The victim here may not believe that help is available to her or she may believe if she says something, it will make her situation worse. These are the same thoughts Beth had and Sam knew that he had total control over Beth because he broke her down mentally. The best I could do in this situation is be an encouragement to both females. For the friend I would encourage her to keep talking with her friend and try to help her. The victim I would inform her of the available resources in hopes that she may use them. Until the victim is ready to make a change, not much can be done, which can be frustrating.

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I located this comic on February 2, 2018. It has no words but from the pictures you can see a male attacking the female, then the children appear witnessing the IPV. The last pictures shows the children leaving and the female is now abusing the male. Maybe she is getting revenge, or this is the normal way this couple communicates. I am assuming from the children's point of view that this behavior is the norm, which is often said in society today. Unfortunately the effects of these behaviors are not discussed openly and we wonder why we have school age children who are bullied, have behavior problems and are unable to communicate. I think I have the capacity to intervene and discuss with the family different approaches to communication and how IPV affects children.

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This clipping is from the Colorado Gazette on January 27, 2018. Jacob killed his mother and stepdad at the age of 15. Now at the age of 40, Jacob is seeking a retrial stating he was denied his constitutional right to testify. Jacob claimed that he was severely abused by his mother and stepfather and killing them was the only way out of the situation. Based on the article laws have changed towards juveniles since 1994 and it is unlikely that Jacob will face a life sentence without parole based on his age when the murders occurred. Based on Jacobs abuse accusations, I believe he was mentally incapable to make a sound decision based on the abuse he endured. Since Jacob says he suffered from sexual abuse, I am not sure if his story would have been believed due to the societal views of boys being incapable of sexual abuse. Based on the text Jacob experienced post traumatic stress disorder which probably led to him rationalizing the murder of his parents. I do not feel confident that I would be emotionally ready to intervene in this situation. The alleged abuse was gruesome trying to help Jacob through his feelings and emotions by validating his emotions would be difficult.

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The Denver Post Online: Family Violence Special Report

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Pamela and Kermode Jordan were upstairs, asleep in the master bedroom of their 4,000-square-foot home just outside Woodland Park. Jacob was sleeping, too. He awoke to "gunshots and screaming. My mom was calling me to her room."

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I saw an advertisement of this retreat in my local Gazette paper on January 21, 2018 and I decided to explore the website further to see what will be offered during the retreat. This is an annual sister retreat that will be taking place in my local area of Colorado Springs in April of 2018. The retreat will provide workshops that promote individual development while increasing awareness of domestic violence and its survivors. I love this idea because it is bringing attention to a very serious issue we have across the world. Domestic violence is not discussed much in the community which is why I think most victims keep silent and current numbers do not depict the actual numbers of domestic violence.  I would feel comfortable going to this retreat and hearing the stories of these victims and gaining a better cultural competency with DV victims. It can be a hard topic to discuss, and I know because I am a DV survivor myself.

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Break the Silence Against Domestic Violence

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Our 2018 Program is scheduled for April 21 - 24, 2018 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Break the Silence against Domestic Violence offers an Annual Survivor Sister Retreat for women affected by domestic violence. This intense program gives participants the opportunity to engage in a variety of workshops and activities throughout the course of the weekend. Our time together is devoted to promoting individual development, bridging relationships amongst survivors, empowerment, and increasing awareness on mental health practices to encourage effective healing after trauma. We immerse survivors into a holistic healing journey created by survivors, for survivors. We believe a peer group approach encourages and supports an environment of true transformation and accountability for growth for each of our attendees.

The Annual Survivor Sister Retreat encompasses a variety of workshops and activities to educate, empower, and connect survivors. The program encourages attendees to step outside of their comfort zone to truly experience healing like never before. The survivor advocates support each attendee through open discussions and break out groups. We welcome survivors who are ready to begin their healing journey and experience a lifelong transformation alongside survivor sisters.
Program best fits survivors who fit in the following descriptions:

Women who have already left abusive relationships and who are currently not in an unhealthy relationship.

Women who have experienced trauma particularly domestic violence or sexual abuse.

Attendees must be open to the ideal of challenging their 'normal' way of thinking to embrace new ideas.

This program is highly intensive and attendees must be emotionally ready to take on a new wave of healing. All attendees participate in a scheduled 12-hour a day program.

Attendees must be welcoming, loving, kind to others, and accepting of others views and differences. We welcome a diverse group each year and want to ensure all sisters feel comfortable.

If attendees are currently experiencing suicidal thoughts, we recommend seeking medical attention prior to applying for this program.

Triggers, anxiety, and stress may arise upon planning your trip to our Survivor Retreat - we highly recommend all potential attendees to spend a great deal of reflecting prior to attending. When its your time to come, you'll know.

The registration fee for this program is $200 which is due immediately upon acceptance into our program. All attendees must be able to cover their flights into Colorado Springs.

Our Impact:

Enable survivors from across the world to attend our Survivor Retreat .

Connect women with other survivors who understand their journey.

Empower survivors to break their silence and tell their stories, many for the first time.

Immerse survivors in a holistic healing journey created by survivors, for survivors.

Challenge survivors to step outside their comfort zone, confront their fears, and experience healing in a new and powerful way.

Create a peer-group environment that encourages survivor transformation and growth accountability.

Increase awareness of mental health practices that will aid post-trauma healing.

Promote individual development.

Allow survivors to let go of crippling shame, pain, and fear.

Equip survivors to remain connected and prepared to continue on their path to healing.

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Survivor Sister Retreat - Break the Silence Against Domestic Violence

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Our 2018 Program is scheduled for April 21 - 24, 2018 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Break the Silence against Domestic Violence offers an Annual Survivor Sister Retreat for women affected by domestic violence. This intense program gives participants the opportunity to engage in a variety of workshops and activities throughout the course of the weekend.

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DV suspect on the loose Part 1

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A domestic violence suspect shot at police officers Friday afternoon, then escaped into a northeast Colorado Springs neighborhood after they returned fire, said Lt. Howard Black, Police Department spokesman.

No officers were hit and police don't believe the suspect was injured in the shootout. As of 9 p.m., police were still searching for the gunman, according to their tweets.

"Update: No additional shots fired. Continues to be an active search for the suspect. Please stay in your residence. We still request citizens to stay clear of the area," police tweeted around 8:45 p.m.

Officers blocked off a large area surrounding North Union Boulevard and Vickers Road, keeping some residents from returning home. People inside the perimeter were warned to stay inside and keep away from windows.

"Please stay out of this area," Black said about 5:30 p.m., addressing the community. "If you live in this area, please shelter in place and do not open your door for strangers. If you hear any noises (or see) any strange folks that you're not aware of walking in the area, please call 911 immediately."

Read the full story at gazette.com.

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Police searching for domestic violence suspect after gunbattle in northeast Colorado Springs

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A domestic violence suspect shot at police officers Friday afternoon, then escaped into a northeast Colorado Springs neighborhood after they returned fire, said Lt. Howard Black, Police Department spokesman. No officers were hit and police don't believe the suspect was injured in the shootout.

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Suspect identified...Part 2

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Neal Joseph Arceneaux. Photo courtesy Colorado Springs Police Department.

Colorado Springs police are searching for a man who they say shot at officers Friday near Union and Vickers on Friday evening. The shooting prompted a lockdown on an entire neighborhood.

Police say the suspect is 31-year-old Neal Joseph Arceneaux. He is described as a white man, about 6-foot-6 and about 205 pounds.

The domestic violence suspect allegedly shot at police officersafternoon, then escaped into a northeast Colorado Springs neighborhood after they returned fire, said Lt. Howard Black, Police Department spokesman.

No officers were hit and police don't believe the suspect was injured in the shootout. As of, police were still searching for the gunman, according to their tweets.

"Update: No additional shots fired. Continues to be an active search for the suspect. Please stay in your residence. We still request citizens to stay clear of the area," police tweeted around

Officers blocked off a large area surrounding North Union Boulevard and Vickers Road, keeping some residents from returning home. People inside the perimeter were warned to stay inside and keep away from windows.

"Please stay out of this area," Black said about, addressing the community. "If you live in this area, please shelter in place and do not open your door for strangers. If you hear any noises (or see) any strange folks that you're not aware of walking in the area, please call 911 immediately."

The domestic violence incident was reported aboutin the 5600 block of North Union Boulevard, Black said. No details were released about the initial report or what set off the gunbattle.

In a reverse-911 message sent out to nearby residents, the suspect was described as a 6-foot man in his 30s who was wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt and light blue jeans.

A 60-year-old Colorado Springs man said he saw the shooting unfold aboutnear the Lynmar Apartment Homes at 2750 Vickers Drive. He said he was pulling into the complex where his daughter lives when he heard gunshots.

"I hear the cops yelling, 'We're under fire, we're under fire. Hey, everybody get out of the way, everybody get down, get out of the way,'" said the man, who declined to provide his name. He ran into his daughter's apartment and watched from a window.

"We just stood there at the window, listening to (gunfire) for five, maybe 10 minutes - back and forth, back and forth," he said. "And then it'd stopped for a minute, and you'd hear a couple more, four or five, and then it'd stop for a minute, and then you'd hear a couple more."

Anyone with information regarding this incident or the whereabouts of suspect Neal Joseph Arceneaux is asked to contact the Colorado Springs Police Department at 444-7000 or can remain anonymous by contacting Crime Stoppers 719-634-STOP, (7867).
Gazette news partner KKTV contributed to this report.

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Suspect identified after gunbattle in northeast Colorado Springs

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Colorado Springs police are searching for a man who they say shot at officers Friday near Union and Vickers on Friday evening. The shooting prompted a lockdown on an entire neighborhood. Police say the suspect is 31-year-old Neal Joseph Arceneaux. He is described as a white man, about 6-foot-6 and about 205 pounds.

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The 15-year-old boy charged with first-degree murder in the death of Kiaya Campbell will be tried as an adult, a judge ruled Tuesday.

Aidan Zellmer also faces a charge of first-degree murder of a child under age 12. After a four-day hearing, Adams County Juvenile Court Judge Priscilla Loew ruled Tuesday morning that Zellmer's case should be transferred to adult court.

Adams County District Attorney Dave Young said he couldn't comment about the hearing that determined Zellmer could be charged as an adult, but said, "We obviously think it was the appropriate decision."

Young said he will file new charges against Zellmer. While the case was in juvenile court, the arrest warrant affidavit, which describes the evidence leading to Zellmer's arrest, was sealed. It's unclear when it will be unsealed.

Kiaya disappeared the night of June 7 while walking with Zellmer on a shopping trip. The pair had left the home in the 12400 block of Forest Drive in Thornton where Kiaya's father lived with his girlfriend and her two sons. After an Amber Alert and an intense search involving 23 rescue and law enforcement agencies, the girl's body was discovered June 8 in a greenbelt area about 1½ miles from where her family reported she had disappeared.

Zellmer had told police that he ran and became separated from Kiaya when it began raining hard. Some neighbors have disputed that there was a rainstorm in the area that night.

He will be advised of the charges at 11 a.m. Wednesday in Division Q of Adams County District Court.

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Boy accused of killing 10-year-old Kiaya Campbell to be tried as an adult

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The 15-year-old boy charged with first-degree murder in the death of Kiaya Campbell will be tried as an adult, a judge ruled Tuesday. Aidan Zellmer also faces a charge of first-degree murder of a child under age 12. After a four-day hearing, Adams County Juvenile Court Judge Priscilla Loew ruled Tuesday morning that Zellmer's case should be transferred to adult court.

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This is a clipping from the Colorado Gazette, on January 22, 2018. Dennis was arrested after he attempted to strangle his girlfriend and drug her into a van. The victim was able to call the police and Dennis was arrested. No questions were asked and Dennis was apprehended without incident. This story shows the zero tolerance for assault and the victim was not blamed as we have seen many time is society. The story did not go into much detail but I am happy the victim was able to get help but I wonder if she pressed charges. I have learned in class that even if a DV perpetrator is arrested, the victim often ends up back with their abuser due to lack of help, financial needs or fear of leaving. I feel confident that I could speak with the victim and assist her with local community resources such as a safe haven or shelter, counseling, and help with children (if necessary).

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I located this article in the Denver Post on January 30, 2018. Cain Killed his wife but told the police she committed suicide. Cain was arrested and neighbors testified that they heard a woman screaming and a male voice saying "Get back Here" before the sound of gunshots. No additional details of past abuse was mentioned in the article. Based on the crime scene, the police were certain that Cain murdered his wife. Cain did stand firm in his innocence, but he was still charged with murder. Due to limited details it is hard to definitively say what kind of domestic violence case this was.  The victim could have had other issues beforehand that may have went unreported. Since this story ended in murder, I am inclined to believe that Cain has been abusive in the past. This story cause me to think about our local resources and their availability. Domestic Violence is an ongoing issue and the perpetrators need to be identified before violence such as this happens. It would be interesting to see what his medical records look like and if there were any signs of psychological concerns that were not addressed. I would be able to speak with the perpetrator but only to find connection that led to his DV behavior.

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A 44-year-old Denver man who allegedly shot his wife and then claimed she committed suicide has been charged with first-degree murder.

Cain Wilkens is accused of fatally shooting his wife, Clarissa Wilkens, 30, in the early morning hours of Jan. 21, according to a news release Monday by Denver District Attorney Beth McCann.

Wilkens allegedly shot his wife following a birthday party at their residence in the 1500 block of S. Albion Street. Wilkens' birthday actually was Jan. 28.

At 3:19 a.m. on Jan. 21, a woman called 911 saying that a man just ran into the apartment manager's office screaming that his wife just shot herself, according to an arrest affidavit.

Police arrived at the apartment at 3:26 a.m. and found Clarissa Wilkens' body in the bedroom. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

A police officer spoke with a man who lived directly above the Wilkens' apartment. He said he heard a woman scream, "No, no, no."

He then heard a man yelling, "Get back here," numerous times.

Police took Wilkens to police headquarters and interviewed him. He said he and his wife had hosted a birthday party attended by several friends. "He said everyone had a good time," the affidavit says.

After the party he was in the living room when he heard a pop and recognized it as a gunshot. He found his wife bleeding on the bedroom floor. He picked her up and held her momentarily before running to the manager's office, he said in a taped interview.

Wilkens denied seeing the gun. He made several suicidal statements and was placed on a voluntary mental health hold.

When homicide Detective Joe Vasquez returned to the home with a search warrant he found signs of a scuffle including a broken picture frame in another bedroom. A fan and laundry basket were tipped over.

Detectives found a loaded 9mm Smith and Wesson handgun in a safe that was closed but not locked. There appeared to be blood on the gun. Clarissa Wilkens appeared to have a bullet wound in the back of her head.

An unloaded 40-caliber handgun was found just outside the safe. A spent 9mm shell casing was discovered near the victim. There were no blood stains on the victim. There was no soot on the victim's head, indicating that the gunshot was not a contact wound, which is common in suicides.

Police interviewed Wilkens a second time the following day. He again told police his wife shot herself.

He also said he didn't know how the 9mm handgun, the only one in working order in the house, could have ended up in a closed safe with blood on it. He also denied yelling, "Get back here."

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Denver man who said wife shot herself charged with killing her

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A 44-year-old Denver man who allegedly shot his wife and then claimed she committed suicide has been charged with first-degree murder. Cain Wilkens is accused of fatally shooting his wife, Clarissa Wilkens, 30, in the early morning hours of Jan. 21, according to a news release Monday by Denver District Attorney Beth McCann.

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Harold was convicted of killing his first and second wife while collecting a $4.7 million dollar insurance policy on his second wife's death. This story was taken from the Denver Post on January 10, 2018.  According to the clipping, the law was set on his punishment and Harold is serving a life sentence in prison, although he tried to petition his conviction, it was denied by the supreme court. After reading about Harold, he seems to be quite the catch until he is ready to cash in on his relationship. Two women lost their live to to his greed. I am sure his second wife had no idea that his first wife had been murdered, and if she did know Harold may have not told the truth about her death. Harold should have been under investigation and been screened based on the text description of crucial information required during a screening to include but are not limited to jealousy, dangerousness, attachment style, and control or dominance. My capacity to assist the perpetrator would rely on my ability to ask questions based on Harold's upbringing to see if I can make some connections as to why he killed his two wives.  Since Harold is already serving life, he may not want to discuss those matters.

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An appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court by a Colorado man convicted of shoving his wife off of a cliff to her death in Rocky Mountain National Park has been denied.

Harold Henthorn, convicted in 2015 in the murder of his wife, Toni Bertolet Henthorn, filed a petition for a "writ of certiorari" with the U.S. Supreme Court seeking a re-examination of a 10th Circuit Court of Appeals decision affirming his conviction.

Henthorn, through his attorneys, had argued before the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that U.S. District Judge R. Brooke Jackson should not have allowed evidence in the death of his first wife, Sandra "Lynn" Henthorn to be introduced in the case of his second wife's death.

In 1995, Henthorn stopped to change a tire on a Jeep. Shortly afterward, Sandra Henthorn was crushed as the Jeep fell on her.

Just as in the death of Toni, Henthorn collected large insurance claims on his first wife.

"This case presents us with the difficult issue of whether a district court presiding over a murder trial abused its discretion in admitting evidence of prior, similar incidents, including whether the defendant killed his second wife in circumstances similar to those that led to the death of his first wife," the 10th Circuit Court decision said in July.

The Denver-based appeals court determined that Jackson properly admitted the evidence in question. "The probative value of the evidence was not substantially outweighed by its potential for unfair prejudice."

Toni, in September 2012, plunged 128 feet to her death during a hike to celebrate the couple's 12th wedding anniversary. Henthorn is serving a life sentence in federal prison.

His petition was denied by the Supreme Court on Monday. U.S. Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch, a former judge with the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals, "took no part in the consideration or decision of this petition," the Supreme Court noted.

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U.S. Supreme Court denies petition of man convicted of pushing his wife off cliff to her death in Rocky Mountain National Park

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An appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court by a Colorado man convicted of shoving his wife off of a cliff to her death in Rocky Mountain National Park has been denied. Harold Henthorn, convicted in 2015 in the murder of his wife, Toni Bertolet Henthorn, filed a petition for a "writ of certiorari" with the U.S.

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I got this clipping from the Denver Post on January 12, 2018. Her fathers' remains were found in the home (encased in concrete) she shared with her father. Dayna's father was reported missing by other family members after December 8th, 2017. Dayna's ex-husband described her as unstable and on a downward spiral. No other details were mentioned in the article as to why Dayna killed her father but it appears that she was experiencing some mental instability after losing her business. You do not hear stories involving women who murder, so it is clear as a society why the article did not slander her name or give her gruesome label. Dayna seems to have some mental issues going on but without the back story, it is difficult to understand her actions. I feel comfortable speaking with Dayna on her action, but she will require a detailed psycho social to pinpoint her displaced anger and aggression.  Not that her actions are inexcusable, I believe there is always a root to murder.

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A woman who allegedly killed her father and then buried him in concrete in the crawl space of the Federal Heights home they shared has been charged with first-degree murder, Adams County authorities say.

Dayna Michele Jennings, 43, is in custody in the Adams County jail, accused of killing 69-year-old William Mussack, according to Sue Lindsay, spokeswoman for Adams County District Attorney Dave Young.

Investigators executed a search warrant at the home, 10022 Eliot Circle, on Wednesday and found human remains when they broke up some concrete in the crawl space.

Jennings, who was being interviewed at the Federal Heights police station, confessed after investigators received a text message informing them of the discovery, admitting "to pouring concrete in the crawlspace where the human remains were located," according to a search warrant affidavit.

An autopsy confirmed that the remains were those of Mussack and that he was the victim of a homicide.

Concerned family members contacted police on Dec. 28 because they hadn't been able to contact Mussack.

Jennings told police that her father no longer lived at the home and that she hadn't seen him in several weeks, the arrest affidavit says. She also said he had gone to the mountains with his girlfriend.

But when a Federal Heights police officer searched the home on Dec. 29, he noticed the stench of something that was rotting. The house also smelled like sewage. He also said he saw women's clothing on Mussack's bed.

The officer returned to the home the next day and noticed construction materials that had been stacked on the driveway had been moved. Jennings told the officer that her father's cellphone and rent money had been taken.

This time Jennings refused to let the officer search the home.

Mussack's girlfriend told police the last time she heard from him was on Dec. 8, when he agreed to attend a Christmas party with her the next day. He didn't show up.

Rubbish Works dropped a roll-off dumpster in Jennings' driveway on Dec. 11. They picked it up on Dec. 15 and dropped a second one the same day. The second dumpster was picked up on Dec. 22. Both dumpsters were taken to the Commerce City transfer station at 6091 Brighton Blvd.

On Dec. 23, Jennings told John Cappadocia, a man police interviewed, that she saw her dad a few days before, when he stopped by to pick up his cellphone.

But pings on cellphone towers indicated the cellphone was still near the house, the arrest affidavit said. Several relatives had been trying to reach Mussack, including his son, Brian Mussack, who lives in California.

Brian Mussack told police that his father told him in a phone call that after Jennings gave him a back rub on Dec. 7 he had felt like he had been drugged and slept for 15 hours in his recliner. Family said he was normally up at the crack of dawn.

Brian Mussack said Jennings sent a text message saying their dad was being abusive to her. He and other family members said this was out of character for Mussack.

On Jan. 5, Jennings told Cappadocia that her father was in Arizona enjoying the sun. But family members told police Mussack didn't know anyone in Arizona.

When DA Investigator Patrick Ness contacted a Wells Fargo bank branch, the manager said there had been unusual activity on Mussack's bank account in December.

Mussack's name was signed on a check made out to Jennings for $500. But the signature did not match Mussack's prior signatures. There had been six Amazon purchases for Jennings during the month.

Joel Jennings', Jennings' ex-husband, said Jennings' massage business was closed in November. It was her only source of income. He said he believed his former wife had killed her father. He added that her second husband, Chris Newton, moved out of the Mussack home in November and got married on Dec. 9.

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Federal Heights woman charged with murder after allegedly killing her dad and encasing his body in concrete

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A woman who allegedly killed her father and then buried him in concrete in the crawl space of the Federal Heights home they shared has been charged with first-degree murder, Adams County authorities say. Dayna Michele Jennings, 43, is in custody in the Adams County jail, accused of killing 69-year-old William Mussack, according to Sue Lindsay, spokeswoman for Adams County District Attorney Dave Young.

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This clipping is from the Colorado Gazette on January 24, 2018. A unidentified man was shot after he was outside of an ex-girlfriend's home firing shots in the air. The article did not disclose if alcohol or drugs were a factor but I did find it odd that he randomly showed up with a weapon. Had the cops not arrived on the scene, the ex-girlfriend could have been injured or killed. Based on the suspects actions, he was a batterer who was on a mission to prove something to his ex-girlfriend. The suspect appeared to lack awareness, and was impulsive. Unfortunately, he lost his life, and it would be interesting to see if the suspect was not firing a weapon, what would the police have done. I would feel comfortable speaking with the ex-girlfriend to see what information I could gather on events leading up to the situation. I would be confident that I could offer her local resources for coping and other characteristics that correlate with Domestic Violence victims.