|
Read News
|
Pocono News Section
Rehkamp Case Brings Domestic Violence Issues into Spotlight
Rehkamp Case Brings Domestic Violence Issues into Spotlight - Wednesday, February 17, 2010 at 5:10PM EST
Reported by: Andy Mehalshick
Wednesday, Feb 17, 2010 @ 05:10pm EST
NANTICOKE, LUZERNE COUNTY -- The Luzerne County District Attorney is deciding whether or not to re-file assault charges against Luzerne County Senior Judge Charles Rehkamp. This comes one day after the alleged victim, the judge's wife, said she would not testify against him.
Advocates for crime victims say this high profile case will hopefully bring more awareness to the growing problem of domestic violence.
More than 2,000 people a year are victims of domestic violence in Luzerne County. The case involving the judge is not unique in that in many cases the alleged victim decides not to go to court.
Judge Rehkamp walked out of district court Tuesday, cleared of domestic violence charges. But the Luzerne County D. A. could re-file the charges.
Rehkamp's wife Valerie called police after the judge allegedly choked her in their Plymouth Township home. Now she says she will not testify against him.
And that decision is not unusual. Jolene Miraglia is a victimsÕ outreach counselor in Luzerne County. She says itÕs not unusual for women to change their mind and decide not to testify.
But Miraglia says high profile cases like judge RehkampÕs can do some good for domestic violence victims. "It may draw attention to the issue of domestic violence. I think it may let other victims know there are other people who are going through the same situation, that may be similar.Ó
She also says that some victims of domestic violence will leave their home as many as 10 times, then go back, before finally leaving for good. | | |
|
|
|