Local law enforcement personnel and advocates for domestic abuse victims knew well of Casey Shelton before most of the general public did. That Shelton's string of abusive incidents ended in the death of his 2-month-old son is a profound tragedy. It's incredibly frustrating that it took such a heartbreaking event for the justice system to finally catch up to Shelton.
What's frightening is that there is potential for more tragedies to occur. That should drive community members, and those serving in law enforcement, the justice system and social service agencies to take steps to prevent, as much as possible, future tragedies.
"The justice system should not be your first line of defense," Green Haven Family Advocates Executive Director Alice Franks-Gray said during an interview last week with the Times.
Shelton on Monday was sentenced to serve 40 years in prison, followed by 10 years of probation, for killing one of his twin sons, Christopher, more than two years ago in their rural Brodhead home. Most are likely, and rightfully, grateful today that Shelton received the maximum prison term allowable by Green County Circuit Court Judge James Beer. To give Shelton anything less than the maximum penalty would have sent yet another wrong signal to victims of abuse, and abusers, in Green County.
A jury in January found Shelton guilty of first-degree reckless homicide. Evidence during his weeklong trial convinced jurors that Christopher's death, caused by bleeding on both sides of his brain, came at his own father's hands. Shelton was alone with his two sons the night of Feb. 28, 2007. The kind of brain injury Christopher suffered could only have been caused by recent and violent shaking. The healing fractures on his ribs were the result of being squeezed.
In three months, Shelton faces another trial, this time for charges he abused and injured Christopher's twin brother, Charles.
Shelton's live-in girlfriend testified that Shelton was abusive to her and the twins. She said Shelton threatened to kill her if she told anyone about him abusing their children.
All of these are classic, and common, things that happen in abusive households.
So, too, was Shelton's girlfriend's reluctance to rely on law enforcement and the legal system to end the abuse and bring her and the children to safety.
"In intensely abusive situations where the abuser repeatedly leaves court without punishment, victims feel they can never be protected, that nothing will ever be done," Franks-Gray told the Times. "It's not uncommon for victims who feel the system won't protect them to not talk to anyone about the danger around them."
That culture must be stopped in Green County. Christopher Shelton's death, and his father's conviction and sentencing, present an unfortunate opportunity to create a discussion about a domestic abuse problem that is prevalent in, but not unique to, the county.
As we said after Shelton's conviction, county leaders must take the opportunity to examine the services available and processes involved to determine whether everything possibile is being done to protect its citizens against domestic abuse. Does law enforcement have the proper tools and personnel to deal with domestic violence offenders? Do agencies that provide assistance and shelter to victims of domestic abuse have the proper funding and resources? Is the justice system harsh enough in dealing with abusers to serve as a deterrent?
While the Shelton tragedy is fresh in the community's mind, diminishing the scourge of domestic violence in Green County should be on the agendas of county leaders.
What's frightening is that there is potential for more tragedies to occur. That should drive community members, and those serving in law enforcement, the justice system and social service agencies to take steps to prevent, as much as possible, future tragedies.
"The justice system should not be your first line of defense," Green Haven Family Advocates Executive Director Alice Franks-Gray said during an interview last week with the Times.
Shelton on Monday was sentenced to serve 40 years in prison, followed by 10 years of probation, for killing one of his twin sons, Christopher, more than two years ago in their rural Brodhead home. Most are likely, and rightfully, grateful today that Shelton received the maximum prison term allowable by Green County Circuit Court Judge James Beer. To give Shelton anything less than the maximum penalty would have sent yet another wrong signal to victims of abuse, and abusers, in Green County.
A jury in January found Shelton guilty of first-degree reckless homicide. Evidence during his weeklong trial convinced jurors that Christopher's death, caused by bleeding on both sides of his brain, came at his own father's hands. Shelton was alone with his two sons the night of Feb. 28, 2007. The kind of brain injury Christopher suffered could only have been caused by recent and violent shaking. The healing fractures on his ribs were the result of being squeezed.
In three months, Shelton faces another trial, this time for charges he abused and injured Christopher's twin brother, Charles.
Shelton's live-in girlfriend testified that Shelton was abusive to her and the twins. She said Shelton threatened to kill her if she told anyone about him abusing their children.
All of these are classic, and common, things that happen in abusive households.
So, too, was Shelton's girlfriend's reluctance to rely on law enforcement and the legal system to end the abuse and bring her and the children to safety.
"In intensely abusive situations where the abuser repeatedly leaves court without punishment, victims feel they can never be protected, that nothing will ever be done," Franks-Gray told the Times. "It's not uncommon for victims who feel the system won't protect them to not talk to anyone about the danger around them."
That culture must be stopped in Green County. Christopher Shelton's death, and his father's conviction and sentencing, present an unfortunate opportunity to create a discussion about a domestic abuse problem that is prevalent in, but not unique to, the county.
As we said after Shelton's conviction, county leaders must take the opportunity to examine the services available and processes involved to determine whether everything possibile is being done to protect its citizens against domestic abuse. Does law enforcement have the proper tools and personnel to deal with domestic violence offenders? Do agencies that provide assistance and shelter to victims of domestic abuse have the proper funding and resources? Is the justice system harsh enough in dealing with abusers to serve as a deterrent?
While the Shelton tragedy is fresh in the community's mind, diminishing the scourge of domestic violence in Green County should be on the agendas of county leaders.
