Mode's Been on Hold but I Do Care

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Spouses are still killing spouses. Boyfriends are still killing girlfriends and vice-versa. Children are still being abused and killed. Police officers are still being shot and killed. It’s a deplorable circle. So, I’ve been slack on my blog. My mode is on hold. A couple trials I’ve watched in the recent months and the verdicts or sentencing really gave me the humbug feelings so I haven’t wanted to write about any other case. Then along came the disappearance of Kelli Bordeaux and I really felt my posting on crimes mode go more downhill. Kelli, a PFC combat medic, is still missing with whereabouts unknown. Two people from the establishment she visited the night she disappeared have been arrested on unrelated charges but no one has been arrested in connection with her disappearance.

The short version:

Fort Bragg officials reported Kelli’s status on Monday, April 16, 2012, she had not shown for work. Family members did not know where she was and law enforcement was notified. LE received information during their investigation that Kelli could be in danger. The last known place Kelli was seen alive is Froggy Bottoms bar. While at the bar she was seen conversing with a man. No reason is known why she went to the bar. The only real truths anyone has are questions. Why did Kelli decide to go to the bar on Friday April 13? Where is Kelli? Is she safe? Did she willingly disappear for reasons of her own? Did Kelli drink the 4 shots and 4 beer paid for on her tab? She was seen leaving the bar after 1 AM on April 14. The man she was speaking with while at the bar, is known sex offender Nicholas Holbert. Holbert has since been arrested but not in relation to Kelli’s disappearance. Police and volunteers have since done numerous searches in that area , including checking a pond, but come up empty. Family members nor her husband have heard from her.

Just when I thought the mode to write and post more on domestic violence and other crime had returned. I am once again thrown for a backward loop. Little is known at this time but in Columbus, Ohio police receive a tip of a man plotting murder for hire. Surveillance was set up and apparently evidence surfaced because they arrested Angel Javier Benitez on conspiracy to commit murder. The alleged victim was his wife.

Of course another case catches my eye today too. One that sounds to have been personal since he only shot the man. Ramundo Zerate, Jr. and his family drove home from a Mother’s Day celebration at the Tomball area park in Magnolia, Texas. When the family arrived home, a man got out a car and shot Mr. Zerate once in the head and again in the abdomen. The man apparently followed them home.

Brandon Preciado and Domestic Abuse

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Brandon Preciado is a young 29- year-old police officer for Long Beach. Sadly, he already has a long list of domestic violence charges lodged against him. Eighteen of them at this time. But I’m concerned he will not pay the way he should for his actions.

Although his wife, Yessenia, told the court of his abusiveness, she is reluctant to testify against him at trial. Yessenia told the court how he used his police department-issued flashlight to threaten her and about his wrapping a belt around her throat. She related how he threatened her with death. "Prepare to die," he allegedly told her. He’d bit her face. And on many occasions’ Brandon would hit her in the face. Yessenia has endured a bloody nose many times, hits with his baton, his fist and a broom and threats with a hammer.

Perciado is due in court March 18 for arraignment. He is on administrative leave from the police department. I am praying he actually goes to trial and Yessenia testifies to the horrors she has endured. Most likely, a good lawyer could get him off otherwise on a plea deal. Brandon has pled not guilty.

I hope Yessenia has heard of and read Susan Murphy Milano’s book ‘Time’s Up’ and takes action to protect herself should Brandon be set free. ( And that is a scary thought) To me, he appears to be a bomb waiting to explode. Yessenia could be in range of the flashback if she doesn’t utilize the help Susan’s book can provide her.

Donald Greenslit and The Death of Stacie DeSantis-Dorego

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From what I can gather the fire department and police were called to a home in Johnston, Rhode Island. Smoke was billowing from a chimney and neighbors were concerned. When the firefighters arrived, they found Donald Greenslit standing in the driveway screaming profanities, saying he didn’t need them, he was just burning wood in his fireplace. Firefighters put out his fire but what they found wasn’t just wood burning. They discovered the remains of a dismembered female wrapped in cloth and burnt. The deceased was found to be 39-year-old Stacie DeSantis-Dorego mother of Greenslit’s two small children Jake, 5; Lily, 3 and another daughter Mackenzie, age 14. The children were at home when Greenslit allegedly killed and dismembered then attempted to destroy her body but thankfully didn’t witness the events that led to her death. The police also discovered Donald wasn’t supposed to be at the home. He’d committed a couple DV incidents against Stacie and a no contact order had been issued on him. Now Donald is charged with her murder, violating the no contact order and child abuse. Child abuse because he endangered the children with smoke inhalation when he attempted to destroy Stacie’s body by burning it in the fireplace.

Donald Greenslit confessed to killing Stacie but he says it was self-defense because she attacked him. I hope he never sees sunshine without stripes hindering his view from behind bars. This is a case I will keep an eye on so my readers and, me too, will know when it goes to trial. Stacie was a wonderful young lady who was an aspiring writer and loved her children. She deserves justice. Stacie said her children were her soul. I wish I had gotten to know her better. My deepest and most sincere condolences go out to her children, family and friends.

Police Oficer deaths

I’d started 2011 with a piece on police officer deaths. Sadly the year was horrific for LE. More officers were killed in 2011 than 2010. I pray 2012 is a better year for all officers. But too, I pray less, lots less officer related intimate partner crime is committed during this year. Both these, the murders of officers and DV crimes are horrible for LE everywhere. Sadly on New Year Day this year I read of a park Ranger killing in Mt Rainier National Park. Her husband and children get to spend their year with a huge hole in their heart without her to fill it.

The Police Officer Related DV Death of Leslie Morin

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Sometimes police officers break the law. On Monday, December 12, 2011 Jose Gonzales III, an officer with the Alice, Texas police department broke the law in a big way. He committed the ultimate sin. Murder. Jose was dressed for work when he drove to the home in Annaville where his ex girlfriend and common law spouse Leslie Morin was staying with her son and mother. Leslie and her mom hid in the closet when Jose arrived but he broke the door and entered the home, pulled her from the closet and shot her numerous times before taking their 8-year-old son and leaving. Leslie had left Jose, ending their relationship approximately two weeks earlier.

Gonzales fled to a home in Alice but LE was able to talk him into freeing the child and finally giving himself up to them. He exited the home with hands in the air to face his punishment. At least he gave up voluntarily and didn't start a gunfight with other officers. Or shoot himself.

Leslie's father, a pastor, has allegedly stated the family has forgiven Jose. I wonder if Leslie's mother is included in that statement. I don't know if I could. Her daughter was shot in front of her. Multiple times. That's rage. Allegedly no known domestic violence happened in the couple’s home prior to Leslie’s leaving. But surely something happened to cause her to fear for her life and leave. Subtle hints from him perhaps?

Jose Gonzales has been charged in the murder and given $250,000 bail. He, according to his lawyer, can't afford that bail. Good! The lawyer says Jose is still in shock and is emotional. Yeah, well, his son and Leslie's other child are likely still in shock and emotional also. Too late for regrets Mr. Gonzales!