Bill strengthening domestic violence laws sent to Governor's desk

Posted: 6/15/2012 9:25:47 AM

After a violent murder in Johnston where a man stabbed his common-law-wife, chopped up her body, and tried to burn her remains, the General Assembly passed a bill to strengthen domestic violence laws.

The bill which raises the maxim sentence for domestic assault from one year to ten years and upgrades strangulation charges from a misdemeanor to a felony is headed to Governor’s desk for approval.

In January, Donald Greenslit confessed to the brutal murder of his common-law-wife, Stacie Dorego, in their home but this was not Grenslit’s first episode of violence. He had been charged with trying to strangle Dorego in the past but did not face felony charges.

“When an abuser strangles his victim, he is showing her that he has her life in his hands and that he has the power to end it. By elevating this dangerous and damaging attack to a felony level, police officers, prosecutors and advocates will be able to better protect the lives of domestic violence victims and children and help stop domestic violence homicides,” said Deborah DeBare, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Coalitiom Against Domestic Violence.

Thirty states have similar legislation.