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Posted: 11:07 PM Jul 30, 2009
In Domestic Violence Cases, Witness Testimony is Key
After the learning of the violent past between Elizabeth Cotton and Jesse Blevins, many are wondering why the law did not step in.
Reporter: Kallie Cart Email Address: kallie.cart@wsaz.com |
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8 Comments 
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Elizabeth Cotton and her boyfriend Jesse Blevins were caught in a cycle of violence that finally spun of out control.
Cotton was found stabbed and stuffed in a crawl space of a home on Tuesday night, her boyfriend is charged in the murder.
Friends and co-workers say the two had a long and violent history.
“A week won’t go by without her having a bruise or a choke mark on her,” said Ivey Ferguson, one of Cotton’s co-workers.
Now many are wondering why the law did not step in, but it turns out on multiple occasions, each would start on the road to get help- but would only take the first step- filing, then dropping a total of three domestic violence petitions.
At one time Blevins was charged with beating and strangling Cotton but the case was cut short because Cotton did not show up to court- a move that put a major wrinkle in Cabell County’s “No Drop” Policy.
“The victim cannot come up whether it’s male or female and say I want to drop it I don’t want to prosecute,” said Dawn Drown with the Cabell County Prosecutor’s Office.
The victim can’t drop the charges but since Cotton refused to testify it’s tough for the prosecutor’s office to move forward.
A Supreme Court case makes it even harder because statements given to police about the violence can no longer be used in court.
Drown says a victim will usually leave 5 to 8 times before taking the final step. So she says its best to develop a plan to try and stay protected.
“Tell your neighbors give them pictures of what he looks like and if they see your porch light on in the broad daylight that should be a sign for them to call 911,” Drown said.
Cabell County is using federal stimulus dollars to hire a new prosecutor to deal primarily with domestic violence cases. That position should be filled in a couple of months.
Latest Comments
My heart goes out to this woman's family and friends. And To whoever said: "Any man who hits a woman is a coward", I couldn't agree with you more!!! I too, have lost a loved one, so I kno the pain this family is feeling. Keep your head up and have faith! Justice will be served by either WV or GOD!..Hopefully BOTH!
EVEN THOUGH THE VICTIM DOES WANT TO DROP IT THE PROSECUTER AND POLICE HAVE TO TAKE OVER THE CASE AFTER SEEING AND TAKING PICTURES OF THOSE BRUISES, EITHER YOU HAD A LAZY COP OR A LAZY SYSTEM BUT ONCE ITS REPORTED WETHER THE VICTIM WANTS TO DROP IT OR NOT ITS SUPPOSE TO BE UP TO THE SYSTEM AND I HAVE BEEN THROUGH THAT SAME SYSTEM AND ITS A "JOKE" ITS JUSTICE FOR THE CRIMINALS AS THE "VICTIM" GETS VICTIMIZED BY NOT ONLY THE PREDATOR BUT THE POLICE AND MAGISTRATES AND EVERY OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT. I KEPT PUSHING AND DIDN'T GIVE UP, AND I WON'T HE STILL BOTHERS ME TO THIS DAY AND TRIES TO SCARE ME BUT IT DOESN'T WORK BECAUSE HE DOESN'T HAVE CONTROL OVER MY LIFE GOD AND I DO! AND BELIEVE ME WHAT GOES AROUND ALWAYS COMES BACK AROUND. IF IT WEREN'T FOR CRIMES VICTIMS COMPENSATION I DON'T KNOW WHERE I WOULD BE TODAY.
Cabell County HAD a prosecutor specifically assigned to domestic cases one year ago, but chose to let her go.
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