|
|
Article: FELONY CHARGE FOR TRYING TO STRANGLE? DOMESTIC VIOLENCE BILLS SEEK STIFFER PENALTY.(News)
- Article from:
- Seattle Post-Intelligencer
- Article date:
- February 10, 2007
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2007 Seattle Post-Intelligencer. All rights reserved. Reproduced with the permission of the Dialog Corporation by Gale Group. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
|
Byline: JOHN IWASAKIP-I reporter
Violent spouses or lovers who try to strangle their partners would face felony charges under legislation introduced this week in Olympia.
Abusers usually get away with lesser charges, if they are charged at all, because assault by attempted strangulation often leaves little physical evidence and is difficult to prove, said prosecutors and advocates for the survivors of domestic violence.
"There are life-threatening situations where the victim has blacked out and is close to death," yet the suspect now stands charged only with a misdemeanor, said Merril Cousin, executive director of the King County Coalition ...