Kaffie Sledge

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Posted on Thu, Jun. 12, 2008

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Fights turn fatal

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By KAFFIE SLEDGE --

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We only have to look at headlines — especially recent ones — to see that firearms are still the leading cause of domestic violence deaths in Georgia: On June 5 in LaGrange, police say Jaquavious Tucker went to Ashley Bruce’s apartment. An argument ensued. Bruce, Tucker’s ex-girlfriend, went inside her apartment and locked the door. She then went to the living room window and told Tucker to leave. The argument escalated. Tucker pulled out a handgun and fired several shots in the air. He then pointed the weapon at Bruce and fired two shots through the open window. One shot hit her in the left hand and right side of her chest.

On June 6, police say Sarahonica Thrasher was shot in the head during an argument with Javon Elshawn Thompson outside their home in Columbus. Thrasher was seven months pregnant with Thompson’s child. Thompson drove her to The Medical Center where an emergency operation occurred to deliver the baby, who was reportedly in good condition. What went wrong?

Many times people say they can’t believe a certain person is capable of violence, said Pamela Maney, a member of The Domestic Violence Roundtable, a group of private citizens and agency workers who are dedicated to reducing the incidents of domestic violence in this area.

She said it’s common to hear statements about batterers such as, “He was one of the nicest people you ever want to meet.”

Many batterers appear to be upstanding citizens, the life of the party and well liked by everyone. Behind closed doors, they are totally different creatures, Maney said.

“In fact, it is not uncommon for batterers to be well known for their disarming charm. And that may contribute to why many victims don’t tell anyone about the violence because, well, who would believe them?” Maney said. It takes two

Some outsiders assume that both partners are _______________________ equal in and make decisions involving the relationship.

“This is not so in most abusive relationships,” Maney said. “In fact, a big difference between a normal relationship and one where domestic violence is present is that in normal relationships there is a give and take. The partners compromise and work with one another and each is involved in the decision making process.”

Not so in abusive relationships. In these relationships the “batterer” makes all of the decisions in order to control and ensure power over the partner.

“It’s how they maintain their control in the relationship and they are not into compromise or fairness,” Maney said. “It could take the form of who their partner can/can’t see, where they can/can’t go, what they can and can’t do. Even what the partner can/can’t wear.” Who was killed?

According to Georgia’s Fatality Annual Report of the 7 cases reviewed in 2007, there were a total of 12 fatalities: 7 intimate partners and 5 alleged perpetrators.