Zonta Club of Charleston

Please read the following statement by Michelle Bachelet, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women, at the 57th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women:

At the conclusion of the 57th session of the Commission on the Status of Women, UN Women welcomes the outcome of the meeting. The Agreed Conclusions are a testimony to the commitment of Member States to do the right thing, to prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls. In the last two weeks during the meeting in New York, and in the lead-up to this session, we witnessed global engagement and mobilization, high-profile advocacy by civil society, and determined leadership by many Member States. Expectations of the world’s women and girls were extremely high for this session of the Commission.

Violence against women is a universal problem that requires, and has now received, a universal response. Violence occurs in multiple forms in all countries and settings; it harms women and their families and communities, impedes development, and costs countries billions of dollars annually in healthcare costs and lost productivity. In 2003, when the Commission took up violence against women and human rights, Member States were unable to reach agreement. Thus I am particularly heartened that agreement was reached this year to end violence against women and girls. This agreement comes in unison with rising voices worldwide saying enough is enough.

The document adopted by the Commission condemns in the strongest terms the pervasive violence against women and girls, and calls for increased attention and accelerated action for prevention and response. UN Women welcomes the important focus on prevention, including through education and awareness-raising, and addressing gender inequalities in the political, economic and social spheres. The best way to end violence against women is to stop it from happening in the first place.

The document highlights the importance of putting in place multi-sectoral services for survivors of violence, including for health, psychological support and counseling, social support in the short and long term. It draws attention to the need for services to protect the right to sexual and reproductive health. Punishment of perpetrators is also highlighted as a critical measure to end impunity, as is the need to improve the evidence base and availability of data to inform an effective response.

By adopting this document, governments have made clear that discrimination and violence against women and girls has no place in the 21st century. They have reaffirmed their commitment and responsibility to undertake concrete action to end violence against women and girls and promote and protect women’s human rights and fundamental freedoms.

The agreement is one step more for realizing the rights and dignity of women and girls. But we cannot stop here. We need to do so much more. Words now need to be matched with deeds, with action. Now is the time for implementation and accountability. We must continue moving forward with courage, conviction and commitment.

UN Women, together with our partners in the UN system, will continue to advance the rights of women and girls through strong and coordinated support. We will work with Member States to turn the Agreed Conclusions of the Commission on the Status of Women into concrete results for women and girls.

We will move forward and build on the basis of the international agreements on women’s rights reached over many years, as articulated in the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), the Beijing Platform for Action, the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development, and other agreements and treaties.

There is no turning back. We will keep moving forward to the day when women and girls can live free of fear, violence and discrimination. The 21st century is the century of inclusion and women’s full and equal rights and participation.

Sharing Promising Practices to Reduce Domestic Violence (DV) in South Carolina

Register Now!

To register, Go To SC AHEC SCHOOLS Click “Create a SCHOOLS Profile”

Select the program tile and venue to attend the free interactive videoconference.

• Date: Wednesday, March 27, 2013
• Time: 3:00 – 4:30
• Video Conference offered at the following locations:
  • Charleston – Harborview Office Tower, 19 Hagood Avenue, Suite 802
  • Columbia – 2711 Middleburg Drive, Suite 115
  • Florence – Pee Dee AHEC @ McLeod Health, 555 East Cheves Street
  • Greenville – Upstate AHEC, 200 North Main Street, Suite 201

AGENDA

Welcome and Opening Remarks

• Patricia Warner, MBA, Chair, Tri-County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council (DVCC), Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), College of Nursing
• Pamela Jacobs, Executive Director, SCCADVASA

Using Technology to Support Victims and Reduce Domestic Violence – Links and downloads will be available following the conference

• A Public Service Announcement (PSA) that gets results
• Using Facebook to create public awareness

Jenna Johnson, Marketing and Development Director, Family Services Inc.

Patricia Warner, MBA, Chair, Tri-County DVCC

• On-line DV ToolKit for Primary Care Providers

Deborah C. Williamson, DHA, MSN, CNM, MUSC College of Nursing

• Downloadable DV Curriculum Tailored for the Faith-based Communities

Latasha Rivers, LISW-CP, Outreach Program Manager, National Crime Victims Research and Treatment Center, MUSC

Panel Discussion:  Effective Programs for a Sustainable Community Coalition

Gloria Davis, Family Violence Services Coordinator/Counselor, Pee Dee Coalition

Patricia Warner, Chair, Tri-County DVCC

Participant discussion

Closing Remarks – Deborah Williamson, DHA, MSN, CNM

Sponsors: Tri-County DVCC, MUSC College of Nursing, and SCCADVASA

For more information contact: Patricia Warner:  warnerpa@musc.edu

In 2011, 52 South Carolinians were killed by their intimate partners, 39 women and 13 men. As citizens of this state, we have a responsibility to take a stand against this injustice. Therefore, in 1998 our state joined with more than 40 other states in a mission “to promote peace, healing, and responsibility in adult relationships.”
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Special Honor to Deputy Roger Rice, Laurens County Sheriff’s Office, gave his life in defense of a victim of domestic violence

_______________________________________
Lawrence Branham
59 years old
Abbeville County
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mr. Branham was killed on January 12, 2011.
Stacy Hobson, Mr. Branham’s long-term girlfriend, stabbed him to death in their home. The couple had three minor children together. Ms. Hobson was arrested and charged with murder, possession of a weapon during a violent crime, and unlawful conduct toward a child. She is currently awaiting trial.
Mr. Branham is survived by four sons and two daughters.
_______________________________________
Esther Baldwin
46 years old
Aiken County
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Ms. Baldwin was killed on July 2, 2011.
Kenneth Myers, her former live-in boyfriend, shot and killed Ms. Baldwin in her home just hours after he also killed his wife, her twin sister, and their mother. Mr. Myers had a written “hit list” and intended to kill seven people that day. There was a history of abuse in his relationship with Ms. Baldwin. Mr. Myers led police on a chase and tried to ram their vehicles with his car before committing suicide when the chase ended.
Ms. Baldwin is survived by a daughter.
_______________________________________
Angela Myers
25 years old
Aiken County
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mrs. Myers was killed on July 2, 2011.
Mrs. Myers’ husband, Kenneth Myers, shot her in the head. He also killed her twin sister and mother with a shotgun during a shooting spree that left his ex-girlfriend, Esther Baldwin, dead in addition. The couple was having marital and financial difficulties prior to the shootings. Mr. Myers committed suicide after leading police on a car chase.
_______________________________________
Pearlie Mae Russell
47 years old
Allendale County
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Ms. Russell was killed on July 1, 2011.
Blane Taylor, Ms. Russell’s live-in boyfriend, admitted to stabbing Ms. Russell in the stomach during an argument, then following her and stabbing her multiple times as she tried to get away from him. Mr. Taylor was arrested and is awaiting trial for murder.
Ms. Russell is survived by a daughter.
_______________________________________
Holly Ford
34 years old
Anderson County
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Ms. Ford was killed on November 17, 2011.
Ms. Ford’s live-in boyfriend, James Metz, shot her in the face during an argument. Mr. Metz had a history of mental health and drug problems. Following the shooting he posted on Facebook that he had just killed his girlfriend. He was arrested and charged with murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. Mr. Metz is currently awaiting trial.
Ms. Ford is survived by two daughters and a son.
_______________________________________
Allison Pinsley
53 years old
Anderson County
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Ms. Pinsley was killed on April 16, 2011.
Mitchell Guigou, Ms. Pinsley’s live-in boyfriend, confessed to hitting her in the head multiple times during an argument at her residence. He then covered her head with a plastic bag and tied her to the bed. Hours later he set the house on fire. Mr. Guigou was arrested and charged with murder and arson. He pled guilty to voluntary manslaughter and was sentenced to 25 years in prison.
_______________________________________
Kacy Roberson
22 years old
Anderson County
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Ms. Roberson was killed on January 18, 2011.
Keith Rucker, who had children with Ms. Roberson, beat and strangled her inside her apartment. She was pregnant at the time of her death. Mr. Rucker was arrested and charged with murder, as well as with the death of a child in utero. He is currently awaiting trial.
Ms. Roberson is survived by a son and daughter.
Mr. Branham is survived by four sons and two daughters.
_______________________________________
Shalesha Williams
31 years old
Berkeley County
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mrs. Williams was killed on December 16, 2011.
Mrs. Williams’ husband, Devaughn Williams, stabbed her multiple times in their home. Mrs. Williams’ sister witnessed the attack and went to a neighbor’s house to get help. The couple’s young children were present at the time of the incident. Mr. and Mrs. Williams were having marital problems and may have been trying to separate. Mr. Williams stabbed himself at the scene and later died.
Mrs. Williams is survived by a son and daughter.
_______________________________________
Amanda Black
25 years old
Charleston County
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mrs. Black was killed on September 8, 2011.
Mrs. Black died from a stab wound to the neck inflicted by her husband, Chesley Black. Mr. Black stabbed her in front of their young children and then stayed in the house with her body another day before taking the children to Mrs. Black’s sister and fleeing Charleston. Mr. Black had a prior history of domestic violence and drug charges. He was arrested and is currently awaiting trial for murder.
Mrs. Black is survived by two daughters.
_______________________________________
Desma Doctor
21 years old
Charleston County
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Ms. Doctor was killed on December 30, 2011.
Kevin Drayton, with whom Ms. Doctor had children, came to her home and shot her during an argument. He also shot and injured her mother when she tried to intervene. Mr. Drayton then turned the gun on himself and committed suicide. The couple’s young children were present in the home and witnessed the shootings.
Ms. Doctor is survived by a son and daughter.
_______________________________________
Robin Thomas
55 years old
Cherokee County
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mrs. Thomas was killed on April 11, 2011.
Mrs. Thomas died from blunt force head injuries inflicted by her husband, Danny Thomas. A relative called police after not hearing from Mrs. Thomas for several days. Her body was discovered in her home when they arrived. Mr. Thomas, who had remained at the home, pointed a gun at responding officers and was shot by a deputy at the scene. He died later at the hospital.
Mrs. Thomas is survived by two daughters.
Mr. Branham is survived by four sons and two daughters.
_______________________________________
Foyest Caple, Jr.
51 years old
Chesterfield County
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mr. Caple was shot on May 4, 2011, and died two days later.
Mr. Caple’s wife, Jacqueline Caple, shot him during an argument at their home. Mr. Caple was taken to the hospital, where he later died. There was a history of domestic violence in the marriage. Mrs. Caple was arrested and charged with murder.
Mr. Caple is survived by two daughters.
Mr. Branham is survived by four sons and two daughters.
_______________________________________
Diane Louallen
55 years old
Chesterfield County
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mrs. Louallen was killed on June 21, 2011.
Barry Louallen called the police to report that he had just shot his wife. When police arrived at the home, Mr. Louallen threatened the responding officer with a gun and was shot by the officer. Mr. Louallen later died at the hospital. Family members said that there was no known history of domestic violence between the two.
Mrs. Louallen is survived by a daughter.
Mr. Branham is survived by four sons and two daughters.
_______________________________________
Christina Hughes
37 years old
Colleton County
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mrs. Hughes was killed on January 4, 2011.
Randall Hughes shot his wife in their home. He then turned the gun on himself and committed suicide. The couple’s 14-year-old daughter heard gunshots and found her parents’ bodies in their bedroom. Mr. and Mrs. Hughes were believed to be in the process of separating when the shootings occurred.
Mrs. Hughes is survived by five daughters and a son.
Mr. Branham is survived by four sons
_______________________________________
Barrett Stephenson
35 years old
Edgefield County
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mr. Stephenson was killed on November 5, 2011.
Lakashia Walker, Mr. Stephenson’s live-in girlfriend, strangled him following an argument. Ms. Walker had numerous prior domestic violence and assault charges and a pending charge of domestic violence against Mr. Stephenson, which included a no-contact order to protect him from her. Ms. Walker was charged with murder and is currently awaiting trial.
Mr. Branham is survived by four sons and two daughters.
_______________________________________
Devin Ham
22 years old
Florence County
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Ms. Ham was killed on June 9, 2011.
Ms. Ham’s husband, Rodney Ivey, confessed to killing his wife after her body was found on a roadside days after she went missing. Mr. Ivey admitted to strangling her while they were staying at a motel. The couple had experienced marital problems before Ms. Ham’s death, and Mr. Ivey had a history of domestic abuse and drug use. He was arrested and charged with murder. Mr. Ivey pled guilty to murder and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Mr. Branham is survived by four sons
_______________________________________
Lilia Blandin
38 years old
Greenville County
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mrs. Blandin was killed on December 10, 2011.
Mrs. Blandin’s husband, Avery Blandin, came to the bank where she worked and began stabbing her in front of co-workers and customers. He stopped only when a bystander hit him with a chair. Mr. Blandin had a history of violence against Mrs. Blandin, and she was trying to leave the marriage. Mr. Blandin fled the bank and was later arrested and charged with murder. He is currently awaiting trial.
Mrs. Blandin is survived by two daughters and a son.
_______________________________________
Angela Carver
40 years old
Greenville County
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Ms. Carver was killed on April 7, 2011.
Ms. Carver died from a gunshot wound to the head inflicted by her live-in boyfriend, James Beheler. Mr. Beheler shot Ms. Carver after an argument. He later committed suicide. A family member found the bodies at their residence after not hearing from Mr. Beheler for several days. The couple had a history of domestic violence in their relationship.
Ms. Carver is survived by three sons.
Mr. Branham is survived by four sons and two daughters.
_______________________________________
Allison Cross
26 years old
Greenville County
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Ms. Cross was killed on August 2, 2011.
Ms. Cross’ live-in boyfriend, Michael Crane, beat her and her mother to death at their residence. Police responded to a welfare check at the home and discovered their bodies. Mr. Crane was inside the home at the time and was arrested and charged with two counts of murder. He is currently awaiting trial.
Mr. Branham is survived by four sons and two daughters.
_______________________________________
Marsha Smith
51 years old
Greenville County
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Ms. Smith was killed on April 23, 2011.
Ms. Smith was strangled to death by her live-in boyfriend, Nathaniel Beeks. Ms. Smith’s daughter saw Mr. Beeks leaving the apartment after the incident and found her mother unresponsive inside. Mr. Beeks had a history of verbal and physical violence against Ms. Smith. He was charged with murder and is currently awaiting trial.
Ms. Smith is survived by four daughters and a son.
Mr. Branham is survived by four sons and two daughters.
_______________________________________
Juan Tafoya-Gonzalez
38 years old
Greenville County
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mr. Tafoya-Gonzalez was killed on April 29, 2011.
Elvira Seay, his live-in girlfriend, shot Mr. Tafoya-Gonzalez and later dumped his body in a remote area. A friend of Ms. Seay’s reported the murder to police after Ms. Seay asked her to help dispose of the body. Ms. Seay fled South Carolina and was located in New Orleans six months later. She was charged with murder and is currently awaiting trial.
_______________________________________
Yolanda Thurston
53 years old
Greenville County
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mrs. Thurston was killed on December 4, 2011.
Mrs. Thurston was shot to death by her husband, Jimmy Thurston. Mr. Thurston stated to police that he shot his wife following an argument at their home. He then drove to a remote area and threw away the gun that he used. After returning home, he called 911 to report the shooting. Mr. Thurston was arrested and charged with murder. He committed suicide while awaiting trial.
Mrs. Thurston is survived by two daughters.
_______________________________________
Kaybreisha Timpson
19 years old
Greenwood County
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Ms. Timpson was killed on September 19, 2011.
Adrian Neal shot Ms. Timpson several times. He then pushed her out of the car, left her on the roadway, and drove off with their infant daughter in the back seat. An Amber Alert was issued, and several hours later Mr. Neal turned himself in to police. He was arrested and charged with murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. Mr. Neal pled guilty to murder and was sentenced to 30 years in prison without the possibility of parole.
Ms. Timpson is survived by her daughter.
_______________________________________
Masako Yamaguchi-Miller
34 years old
Hampton County
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Ms. Yamaguchi-Miller was killed on May 26, 2011.
Police were called to her home after Ms. Yamaguchi-Miller failed to show up for work, but they did not find anything out of place. Ms. Yamaguchi-Miller remained missing until her body was discovered by fishermen in a river in Beaufort County a week later. The father of two of her children, Kelvin Jackson, was arrested and charged with her murder. He is currently awaiting trial.
Ms. Yamaguchi-Miller is survived by two sons and a daughter.
_______________________________________
Cheryl Gillespie
53 years old
Horry County
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Ms. Gillespie was killed on March 20, 2011.
Ms. Gillespie’s ex-husband, Gary Gillespie, shot her during an argument he was having with her son at her home. She died at the scene as the result of the gunshot. Mr. Gillespie was arrested and charged with murder, but pled guilty to involuntary manslaughter and was sentenced to nine months in prison with credit for time served.
Ms. Gillespie is survived by two sons.
Mr. Branham is survived by four sons
_______________________________________
Marsella Lippert
39 years old
Horry County
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mrs. Lippert was killed on November 21, 2011.
Mrs. Lippert’s husband, James Lippert, assaulted her during an argument at their home before fatally stabbing her. The couple’s children were home at the time, and their 8-year-old daughter called 911 to report the attack. Mr. Lippert was arrested and charged with murder. He is currently awaiting trial.
Mrs. Lippert is survived by two daughters.
_______________________________________
Elizabeth Evans
60 years old
Kershaw County
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Ms. Evans was killed in January of 2011.
Ms. Evans went missing in December of 2010. Her body was found in the woods weeks later, and an autopsy revealed that she died in January from asphyxiation. Her estranged husband, Brian Evans, was arrested and charged with her murder, as well as with the murder of an unrelated man. He is currently awaiting trial on both charges.
Ms. Evans is survived by a daughter.
Mr. Branham is survived by four sons
_______________________________________
Nancy Stone
40 years old
Kershaw County
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Ms. Stone was killed on November 9, 2011.
Officers responding to a welfare check found Ms. Stone and her estranged husband, Reginald Stone, shot to death at her home. Investigators said that Mr. Stone sent a letter to his sister telling her he was going to kill Ms. Stone and himself. By the time she received the letter and was able to contact authorities, the murder-suicide had already taken place.
Ms. Stone is survived by a daughter.
Mr. Branham is survived by four sons
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Nicole Kingsborough
38 years old
Laurens County
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Ms. Kingsborough was killed on July 13, 2011.
Ms. Kingsborough was shot in the face outside her office by Bennie Brown, with whom she had a child. When officers went to his home, Mr. Brown also shot and killed Deputy Roger Rice. Mr. Brown had been arrested for a criminal domestic violence charge against Ms. Kingsborough two weeks before her death. He was charged with two counts of murder, two counts of possession of a weapon during a violent crime, and five counts of attempted murder for other shots fired at the scene. He is awaiting trial.
Ms. Kingsborough is survived by a daughter.
_______________________________________
Margaret Constance
52 years old
Lexington County
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Ms. Constance was killed on May 8, 2011.
Ms. Constance’s estranged husband, William Constance, stabbed her 25 times in her home. Officers found her body when they responded to a welfare check after family members could not get in touch with her. Mr. Constance was arrested and charged with murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. He is currently awaiting trial.
Mr. Branham is survived by four sons and two daughters.
_______________________________________
Amanda Peake
27 years old
Lexington County
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Ms. Peake was killed on March 15, 2011.
Ms. Peake died from a gunshot wound inflicted by Chancey Smith, her former live-in boyfriend. Mr. Smith was upset over their recent breakup and had been drinking heavily the day of the shootings. A friend called 911 when Mr. Smith took a gun and told him he was going to Ms. Peake’s house, but police arrived after she had been shot. Mr. Smith also shot and killed Ms. Peake’s two children before turning the gun on himself and committing suicide.
Mr. Branham is survived by four sons and two daughters.
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Charnel Redden
25 years old
Lexington County
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Ms. Redden was killed on January 24, 2011.
Stacy Wade, Ms. Redden’s former live-in boyfriend, beat her to death in her home. Mr. Wade then dumped her body near a construction site and fled the scene. He turned himself in to authorities several days later. At the time of her death, Mr. Wade was out on bond for charges of criminal sexual conduct and criminal domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature against Ms. Redden. Mr. Wade is awaiting trial for those charges and for murder.
Mr. Branham is survived by four sons
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Victoria Tindall
28 years old
Lexington County
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mrs. Tindall was killed on January 26, 2011.
Mrs. Tindall died from a gunshot wound to the head inflicted by her husband, Brian Tindall. Mr. Tindall called his mother and told her he had killed his wife and was going to kill himself. Deputies discovered both bodies after arriving at the home. The couple had been having marital problems in the weeks leading up to the shootings.
Mrs. Tindall is survived by two sons and a daughter.
Mr. Branham is survived by four sons
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Takeyia Easterling
20 years old
Marlboro County
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Ms. Easterling was killed on April 27, 2011.
Vondell Malachi, the father of Ms. Easterling’s child, shot Ms. Easterling at a park. He then took her to a hospital for medical attention. When officers attempted to question him, he led them on a high-speed chase ending at his home, where a 19-hour standoff ensued. Mr. Malachi was later taken into custody by a tactical team and charged with murder. He pled guilty to voluntary manslaughter and was sentenced to 25 years in prison.
Ms. Easterling is survived by a son.
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John Mayers
43 years old
Newberry County
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mr. Mayers was killed on May 7, 2011.
Mr. Mayers went missing in early May and his body was discovered in the woods on May 25. Mr. Mayers’ former live-in girlfriend, Mandy Smith, and her roommate met Mr. Mayers in the woods, where Ms. Smith got into an argument with him. She then shot Mr. Mayers. Her roommate later confessed his knowledge of the incident and led officers to the site of the shooting. Ms. Smith and her roommate were both arrested and are awaiting trial for murder.
Mr. Mayers is survived by two sons and two daughters.
_______________________________________
Lynette Glover
21 years old
Orangeburg County
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Ms. Glover was killed on April 1, 2011.
Malcolm Curry shot Ms. Glover to death at his home. The couple had a child together and there was no known history of violence in the relationship. Although Mr. Curry stated to police that his gun went off accidentally when he was removing it from his car, he was arrested and pled guilty to involuntary manslaughter. Mr. Curry was sentenced to four years in prison.
Ms. Glover is survived by a daughter.
Mr. Branham is survived by four sons and two daughters.
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Mark Hendricks
52 years old
Pickens County
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mr. Hendricks was killed on October 14, 2011.
Mr. Hendricks died as the result of a gunshot wound from his ex-wife, Susan Hendricks. Ms. Hendricks also shot and killed their two sons and her stepmother. Investigators believe the motive for the killings was life insurance policies on the victims, for which Ms. Hendricks was listed as the beneficiary. Ms. Hendricks was arrested and charged with four counts of murder and four counts of possession of a weapon during a violent crime. She is currently awaiting trial.
_______________________________________
Joann Bobo-Hill
25 years old
Richland County
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Ms. Bobo-Hill was killed on July 20, 2011.
Ms. Bobo-Hill was shot to death by Deshon Washington. Deputies responded to a shots fired report and found Ms. Bobo-Hill on a roadside with multiple gunshot wounds. Officers then went to a mobile home where Mr. Washington was holding their two-year-old daughter hostage. Mr. Washington shot and injured their daughter and fired at a deputy before turning the gun on himself and committing suicide.
Ms. Bobo-Hill is survived by her daughter.
Mr. Branham is survived by four sons
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Oppie Jackson
33 years old
Richland County
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mr. Jackson was killed on January 22, 2011.
Mr. Jackson’s live-in girlfriend, Alicia Ziolkowski, shot him in their car at a gas station. She then turned the gun on herself. Mr. Jackson and Ms. Ziolkowski were taken to the hospital, where they later died.
_______________________________________
Henry Jones
22 years old
Richland County
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mr. Jones was killed on May 15, 2011.
Brithney Goodwin, Mr. Jones’ live-in girlfriend, stabbed him in the chest during an argument at her residence. Mr. Jones died after being taken to the hospital. Ms. Goodwin was arrested and charged with murder. She is currently awaiting trial.
_______________________________________
Amanda Kistler-Jarrard
24 years old
Richland County
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mrs. Kistler-Jarrard was killed on May 23, 2011.
Joseph Jarrard shot his wife multiple times at their home. He then turned the gun on himself and committed suicide. Mr. Jarrard’s mother found both of them unresponsive and called law enforcement. Neighbors of the couple stated that they frequently argued.
Mr. Branham is survived by four sons and two daughters.
_______________________________________
Larry Ross
69 years old
Richland County
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mr. Ross died on May 11, 2011.
Carol Ross, a former nurse, killed her husband of 47 years by giving him an overdose of prescription medications on May 4, 2011. Mr. Ross was a quadruple-amputee and decorated veteran. The couple was arguing that day and Mr. Ross told their 12-year-old daughter that her mother had given him too many pills. Authorities called to the home found him unresponsive and took him to the hospital, where he died a week later. Mrs. Ross, who fled the home after giving him the overdose, later turned herself in. She was arrested and is currently awaiting trial for murder.
Mr. Ross is survived by a daughter.
_______________________________________
Gary Vereen
27 years old
Richland County
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mr. Vereen was killed on July 9, 2011.
Ashley Ancrum-Vereen stabbed her husband in the torso multiple times in their home. Mr. Vereen tried to leave in his car but died after driving a short distance away. Police had been dispatched to the home on previous occasions where Mrs. Ancrum-Vereen had attacked Mr. Vereen. She was arrested and is currently awaiting trial for murder.
Mr. Vereen is survived by a daughter.
Mr. Branham is survived by four sons and two daughters.
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Brenda Witherspoon
54 years old
Richland County
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Ms. Witherspoon was killed on December 18, 2011.
Michael Peterson stabbed Ms. Witherspoon, his live-in girlfriend, in their home. After Mr. Peterson called a friend to disclose that he had killed Ms. Witherspoon, police were dispatched and found her body. Mr. Peterson was arrested and is awaiting trial for murder.
Ms. Witherspoon is survived by four sons.
Mr. Branham is survived by four sons and two daughters.
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Chaconia Culbreath
36 years old
Saluda County
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mr. Culbreath was killed on May 7, 2011.
Mr. Culbreath was stabbed in the chest by Laverne Coleman, with whom he had a child, after an argument. He died on the way to the hospital. Ms. Coleman initially told police that Mr. Culbreath committed suicide but later confessed to stabbing Mr. Culbreath with a kitchen knife. Ms. Coleman was arrested is currently awaiting trial for murder.
Mr. Culbreath is survived by two sons and a daughter.
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Tony Rosser
45 years old
Saluda County
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mr. Rosser was killed on June 23, 2011.
Aretha Rosser ran over her husband with a car. Mr. Rosser was taken to the hospital, where he died from blunt force trauma and a fractured neck. After the incident Mrs. Rosser called the police and also phoned other agencies to tell them she had hit her husband with a car. There was a long history of violence in the relationship. Mrs. Rosser fled the scene before police arrived and was later arrested for murder and leaving the scene of an accident. She is currently awaiting trial.
Mr. Branham is survived by four sons
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Barbara Perry
64 years old
Spartanburg County
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mrs. Perry was killed on November 13, 2011.
Mrs. Perry’s husband, Jefferson Perry, shot her in their home. Afterward he went next door and shot his brother-in-law, who died, and sister-in-law, who survived but had to have her hand amputated. Mr. Perry led police on a 30-mile car chase until he crashed his car. He then pointed his gun at officers, who returned fire. Mr. Perry was taken to the hospital, where he later died. Police had been called to the home for a domestic disturbance three days before the shootings.
Mrs. Perry is survived by a son and daughter.
_______________________________________
Rosemary Lee
21 years old
Union County
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Ms. Lee was killed on July 26, 2011.
Kerry Brown, Ms. Lee’s former live-in boyfriend, shot her multiple times in a park in front of a group of children. He then turned the gun on himself, committing suicide. Ms. Lee was pregnant at the time of her death. Mr. Brown had an extensive criminal history and was illegally carrying the firearm.
_______________________________________
Linda Dixon
53 years old
York County
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Ms. Dixon was killed on March 11, 2011.
Jeffrey Goldsmith, Ms. Dixon’s live-in boyfriend, shot her in the head before turning the gun on himself and committing suicide. Ms. Dixon’s co-workers went to her house after she did not show up for work and saw two bodies on the couch when they looked through a window. They called the police, and officers arrived to find both Ms. Dixon and Mr. Goldsmith dead from gunshot wounds.
Ms. Dixon is survived by a son and daughter.
_______________________________________
Linda Hertzog
54 years old
York County
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Ms. Hertzog was killed on January 3, 2011.
Ms. Hertzog’s live-in boyfriend, Jimmy Kendall, III, strangled her to death at her apartment. Mr. Kendall was later discovered driving Ms. Hertzog’s car, and he also tried to cash a forged check drawn from Ms. Hertzog’s bank account. He was charged with multiple offenses, including murder. Mr. Kendall pled guilty to murder and was sentenced to 30 years in prison with no possibility of parole.
Ms. Hertzog is survived by two sons and three daughters.
_______________________________________
Michael Howe
44 years old
York County
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mr. Howe was killed on October 10, 2011.
Christina Adams, his live-in girlfriend, shot Mr. Howe in his home. A friend of the couple was at the home during the shooting and drove to the police department to report the crime. Mr. Howe was dead when officers arrived. Ms. Adams was arrested and is currently awaiting trial for murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime.
Mr. Branham is survived by four sons and two daughters.
_______________________________________
Shrece Robinson
25 years old
York County
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Ms. Robinson was killed on May 21, 2011.
Carl White, Jr., shot Ms. Robinson at his parents’ home. Afterward he left the scene and abducted their 23-month-old son. An Amber Alert was issued, and authorities located Mr. White and the child, unharmed, near the Georgia border. He was arrested on multiple charges, including murder. Mr. White pled guilty to murder, along with possession of a weapon during a violent crime and possession of a weapon by an unlawful person. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison.
Ms. Robinson is survived by her son.
_______________________________________
Unknown
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Domestic violence affects us all.
Domestic violence cuts across gender, race and ethnicity. People in every socioeconomic status experience this type of violence. Domestic violence victims are all around us: in our neighborhoods, our work places, and our places of worship.
Therefore, let us have a moment of silence to remember those victims of whom we are unaware.

Domestic Violence
Organizations
South Carolina
SCCADVASA
PO Box 7776
Columbia, SC 29202
Hotline 800-260-9293
Phone 803-256-2900
Abbeville County
Laurens County Safe Home
Post Office Box 744
Clinton, SC 29325
Hotline 866-598-5932
Phone 864-682-7270
Aiken County
Cumbee Center to Assist Abused Persons
PO Box 1293
Aiken, SC 29802
Hotline 803-641-4162
Phone 803-649-0408
Allendale County
Cumbee Center to Assist Abused Persons
PO Box 1293
Aiken, SC 29802
Hotline 803-641-4162
Phone 803-649-0408
Anderson County
Safe Harbor
PO Box 174
Greenville, SC 29602
Hotline 800-291-2139
Phone 864-467-1177
Domestic Violence
Organizations
Bamberg County
CASA/Family Systems
PO Box 1568
Orangeburg, SC 29116
Hotline 800-298-7228
Phone 803-534-2448
Barnwell County
Barnwell County Help Line
1644 Jackson Street
Barnwell, SC 29812
Help Line/Hotline 803-259-3333
Barnwell County
Cumbee Center to Assist Abused Persons
PO Box 1293
Aiken, SC 29802
Hotline 803-641-4162
Phone 803-649-0408
Beaufort County
Citizens Opposed to Domestic Abuse
PO Box 1775
Beaufort, SC 29901-1775
Hotline 843-770-1070
Phone 843-770-1074
Beaufort County
Hope Haven of the Lowcountry
PO Box 2502
Beaufort, SC 29901
Hotline 800-637-7273
Phone 843-524-2256
Domestic Violence
Organizations
Berkeley County
My Sister’s House
PO Box 5341
North Charleston, SC 29405
Hotline (county) 800-273-4673
Phone 843-747-4069
Calhoun County
CASA/Family Systems
PO Box 1568
Orangeburg, SC 29116
Hotline 800-298-7228
Phone 803-534-2448
Charleston County
My Sister’s House
PO Box 5341
North Charleston, SC 29405
Hotline (county) 800-273-4673
Phone 843-747-4069
Cherokee County
SAFE Homes, Rape Crisis Coalition
236 Union Street
Spartanburg, SC 29302
Hotline 800-273-5066
Phone 864-583-9803
Chester County
Safe Passage, Inc.
PO Box 11458
Rock Hill, SC 29731
Hotline 800-659-0977
Phone 803-329-3336
Domestic Violence
Organizations
Chesterfield County
Pee Dee Coalition
PO Box 1351
Florence, SC 29503
Hotline 800-273-1820
Phone 843-669-4694
Clarendon County
YWCA of the Upper Lowlands, Inc.
246 Church Street
Sumter, SC 29150
Hotline 803-775-2763
Phone 803-773-7158
Colleton County
Citizens Opposed to Domestic Abuse
PO Box 1775
Beaufort, SC 29901-1775
Hotline 843-770-1070
Phone 843-770-1074
Colleton County
Hope Haven of the Lowcountry
PO Box 2502
Beaufort, SC 29901
Hotline 800-637-7273
Phone 843-524-2256
Darlington County
Pee Dee Coalition
PO Box 1351
Florence, SC 29503
Hotline 800-273-1820
Phone 843-669-4694
Domestic Violence
Organizations
Dillon County
Pee Dee Coalition
PO Box 1351
Florence, SC 29503
Hotline 800-273-1820
Phone 843-669-4694
Dorchester County
My Sister’s House
PO Box 5341
North Charleston, SC 29405
Hotline 800-273-4673
Phone 843-747-4069
Edgefield County
MEG’s House
PO Box 3410
Greenwood, SC 29648
Hotline 800-447-7992
Phone 864-227-1421
Fairfield County
Sistercare, Inc.
PO Box 1029
Columbia, SC 29202
Hotline 800-637-7606
Phone 803-926-0505
Florence County
Pee Dee Coalition
PO Box 1351
Florence, SC 29503
Hotline 800-273-1820
Phone 843-669-4694
Domestic Violence
Organizations
Georgetown County
Citizens Against Spouse Abuse
PO Box 912
Myrtle Beach, SC 29578
Hotline 843-448-6206
Phone 843-293-2270
Greenville County
Safe Harbor
PO Box 174
Greenville, SC 29602
Hotline 800-291-2139
Phone 864-467-1177
Greenwood County
MEG’s House
PO Box 3410
Greenwood, SC 29648
Hotline 800-447-7992
Phone 864-227-1421
Hampton County
Citizens Opposed to Domestic Abuse
PO Box 1775
Beaufort, SC 29901-1775
Hotline 843-770-1070
Phone 843-770-1074
Hampton County
Hope Haven of the Lowcountry
PO Box 2502
Beaufort, SC 29901
Hotline 800-637-7273
Phone 843-524-2256
Domestic Violence
Organizations
Horry County
Citizens Against Spouse Abuse
PO Box 912
Myrtle Beach, SC 29578
Hotline 843-448-6206
Phone 843-293-2270
Jasper County
Citizens Opposed to Domestic Abuse
PO Box 1775
Beaufort, SC 29901-1775
Hotline 843-770-1070
Phone 843-770-1074
Jasper County
Hope Haven of the Lowcountry
PO Box 2502
Beaufort, SC 29901
Hotline 800-637-7273
Phone 843-524-2256
Kershaw County
Sistercare, Inc.
PO Box 1029
Columbia, SC 29202
Hotline 800-637-7606
Phone 803-926-0505
Lancaster County
Safe Passage, Inc.
PO Box 11458
Rock Hill, SC 29731
Hotline 800-659-0977
Phone 803-329-3336
Domestic Violence
Organizations
Laurens County
Laurens County Safe Home
Post Office Box 744
Clinton, SC 29325
Hotline 866-598-5932
Phone 864-682-7270
Lee County
YWCA of the Upper Lowlands, Inc.
246 Church Street
Sumter, SC 29150
Hotline 803-775-2763
Phone 803-773-7158
Lexington County
Sistercare, Inc.
PO Box 1029
Columbia, SC 29202
Hotline 800-637-7606
Phone 803-926-0505
Marion County
Pee Dee Coalition
PO Box 1351
Florence, SC 29503
Hotline 800-273-1820
Phone 843-669-4694
Marlboro County
Pee Dee Coalition
PO Box 1351
Florence, SC 29503
Hotline 800-273-1820
Phone 843-669-4694
Domestic Violence
Organizations
McCormick County
MEG’s House
PO Box 3410
Greenwood, SC 29648
Hotline 800-447-7992
Phone 864-227-1421
Newberry County
Sistercare, Inc.
PO Box 1029
Columbia, SC 29202
Hotline 800-637-7606
Phone 803-926-0505
Oconee County
Safe Harbor
PO Box 174
Greenville, SC 29602
Hotline 800-291-2139
Phone 864-467-1177
Orangeburg County
CASA/Family Systems
PO Box 1568
Orangeburg, SC 29116
Hotline 800-298-7228
Phone 803-534-2448
Pickens County
Safe Harbor
PO Box 174
Greenville, SC 29602
Hotline 800-291-2139
Phone 864-467-1177
Domestic Violence
Organizations
Richland County
Sistercare, Inc.
PO Box 1029
Columbia, SC 29202
Hotline 800-637-7606
Phone 803-926-0505
Saluda County
Laurens County Safe Home
PO Box 744
Clinton, SC 29325
Hotline 866-598-5932
Phone 864-682-7270
Spartanburg County
SAFE Homes, Rape Crisis Coalition
236 Union Street
Spartanburg, SC 29302
Hotline 800-273-5066
Phone 864-583-9803
Sumter County
YWCA of the Upper Lowlands, Inc.
246 Church Street
Sumter, SC 29150
Hotline 803-775-2763
Phone 803-773-7158
Union County
SAFE Homes, Rape Crisis Coalition
236 Union Street
Spartanburg, SC 29302
Hotline 800-273-5066
Phone 864-583-9803
Domestic Violence
Organizations
Williamsburg County
Pee Dee Coalition
PO Box 1351
Florence, SC 29503
Hotline 800-273-1820
Phone 843-669-4694
York County
Safe Passage, Inc.
PO Box 11458
Rock Hill, SC 29731
Hotline 800-659-0977
Phone 803-329-3336
For more information about domestic violence in South Carolina, please visit the Office of the Attorney General online at www.scattorneygeneral.com/fraud/cdv/index.html.

Silent Witness Information
The South Carolina Office of the Attorney General works diligently throughout the year to collect information about domestic violence homicides. This is the 15th year the office has held the Silent Witness Memorial during October to recognize the victims of this horrific crime.
The information for the Silent Witness Memorial is compiled with the assistance and cooperation of South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and the offices of South Carolina solicitors, sheriffs, coroners and police departments.

Today is the Day 4 of the 2012 international “16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence.” November 25th was declared International Day Against Violence Against Women in July 1981 in Bogota, Columbia to commemorate the violent assassination of the Mirabal sisters (Patria, Minerva and Maria Teresa) in 1960 by the dictatorship of Rafael Trujillo in the Dominican Republic.

In 1999, The United Nations officially recognized November 25th as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

“Violence against women is perhaps the most shameful human rights violation. And it is perhaps the most pervasive. It knows no boundaries of geography, culture or wealth. As long as it continues, we cannot claim to be making real progress towards equality, development, and peace.”

~ Kofi Annan, former Secretary-General of the United Nations

Gender-Based Violence

· Violence kills and disables as many women between the ages of 15 and 44 as cancer. And its toll on woman’s health surpasses that of traffic accidents and malaria combined.

· The World Health Organization estimates that at least one of every three women globally will be beaten, raped, or otherwise abused during her lifetime. In most cases, the abuser is a member of her own family.

Learn more about the 16 Days at www.zonta.org

The Zonta Club of Charleston is now accepting nominations for individuals making a difference in the lives of domestic violence victims. Winners will be announced at the 3rd Annual Breaking the Silence Awards Gala on January 26, 2013 at the Harbour Club located in downtown Charleston.

Nominees whose efforts make a difference in preventing domestic violence or those who work with domestic violence victims should be nominated by October 15, 2012. The nomination form can be submitted electronically and is located on www.zontaofcharleston.com. For more information, please call 843-695-0750.

The event is hosted by the Zonta Club of Charleston and Liza’s Lifeline of South Carolina and benefits victims of domestic violence. Nominations for the 3rd Annual Breaking the Silence Awards are accepted in the following categories: Best Volunteer, Best Advocate and Best Professional. Liza’s Lifeline Person of the Year for lifelong achievement will be selected by the board of Liza’s Lifeline and announced at the event. Past recipients include: Mayor R. Keith Summey, Ellen Steinberg, Scott Beard, Dr. Jennifer Pullano, Kristen Hankla, Verizon Wireless Charleston Call Center, Easter LaRoche, Elmire Raven and Sarah Finkelstein.

“Domestic violence is the issue number one in our state. Many risk their lives by answering domestic disturbance calls, others fight their battle in the court rooms. For most parts, these individuals are not recognized for their tireless work and we want to rectify that,” says Diana Bogart, president of the Zonta Club of Charleston.