The Public Service Commission says secrecy is one way to protect domestic abuse victims. Consider this scenario: an abused wife calls a domestic abuse hotline. Later, somebody from the domestic abuse shelter calls back but the abused woman is not at home. Later, her husband checks the caller I-D machine and learns she has called for help and has probably turned him in. What do you think could happen when the wife comes back home? The Public Service Commission has imposed an emergency rule letting some agencies keep their numbers and names from showing up on caller ID machines. The PSC’s Bill Voight says it’s a matter of health, safety and welfare. The Missouri Coalition Against Domestic Violence took the issue to the Commission several days ago. The rule is in response to that effort. The shelters and law enforcement agencies have to ask the telephone companies to install blocking systems so their numbers don’t show up on home phones. The phone companies cannot charge those agencies for those services. The emergency rule goes into effect October 6th. The Commission expects to make it permanent next spring.
Charges Filed In Murder Of Man Accused Of Abusing Wife
Murder charges have been filed against three relatives of an abused Des Peres woman whose husband was shot to death. Lois Sexton had told family members that her husband, Jeffrey Sexton, had been abusing her. Police say the woman’s father, brother, and brother-in-law then plotted to kill Jeffrey Sexton – a union machine operator with a history of drug abuse. Investigators say the three suspects have admitted to their roles in the conspiracy to kill Sexton and have been charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action. The widow, Lois, Sexton, has not been charged. Police had visited the Sexton home on several occations, responding to domestic disturbance calls.
Horrifying Tape Played in Cass County Courtroom
Pleas for help, sobs and screams echoed through a Cass County courtroom in Harrisonville and led to the case against Kenneth Hunter of Belton being bound over for trial. Hunter is accused of fatally shooting his wife and son-in-law, and shooting and wounding his daughter. Prosecutors say Hunter began shooting during an argument about family finances. During the hearing, prosecutors played portions of the 9-1-1 call Ramona Hunter made as life slipped away from her. Ramona Hunter is heard saying “I’ve been shot. I’m dying.” When asked by the 9-1-1 operator who shot her, Ramona Hunter is heard to say her husband shot her. Another 9-1-1 tape carries the sobbing voice of the daughter telling the operator that her father had opened fire on the family. Cass County prosecutor Chris Coster says he does not think he will ask for the death penalty because of Hunter’s age, he’s 71, and because of his poor health.
Domestic Violence Task Force Releases Preliminary Report
The Missouri Domestic Violence Task Force has released its preliminary report. Among the recommendations of the Task Force, headed up by Public Security Director Charles Jackson: Amending the relocation provisions in the child custody statutes to provide protections for parents and children who are victims of domestic violence and want to relocate after a divorce. The Task Force also wants changes in the laws to allow tax credits for those involved in funding domestic violence shelters and prigrams. The Task Force will continue its work through 2002, looking at current and needed resources, policies, and practices directed at reducing domestic violence in the state.
St. Louis vows more abuse funds
St. Louis has an especially poor record of accumulating money that should be used for shelters for abused people, but not spending it, while turning away hundreds of people. Mayor Clarence Harmon has apologized for the situation and says it will be corrected. The City Estimate Board has voted to give the $300,000 to the domestic shelters and add to it another $212,000 already in the city budget for shelter services. State Auditor Claire McCaskill says the state needs to do a better job because shelters could get $4 million dollars in private money if they pursue this. She hopes the Department of Public Safety and the Missouri Coalition Against Domestic Violence work to increase awareness of the program.
