Monday, August 17, 2009

Fulton County Man Murders Pregnant Partner

Via the AJC:

A Fulton County Superior Court judge on Monday denied bond to a man accused of kidnapping his estranged girlfriend Sunday night, forcing her to lead police on a chase through three counties, then shooting the woman.

Detrick Corbett, 29, is facing charges of murder and aggravated stalking, and has pending charges in Fulton and Clayton Counties, authorities said.

Corbett’s ex-girlfriend, Shekeria Lane, 20, was shot once in the head Sunday night and later died at Grady Memorial Hospital, authorities said.

Lane was four months pregnant, and had a 2-year-old child with Corbett, with whom she had recently broken up, police said.

About 10:20 p.m. Sunday, Corbett went to Lane’s home on Fieldstone Drive near Riverdale, Clayton County police spokesman Kevin Hughes said.

“He got into the house and confronted other family members trying to find his ex-girlfriend,” Hughes said. “One male was shot in the buttocks when he turned to run away from him.”

Hughes said Corbett took a set of keys to a family member’s Kia, then forced Lane to the car at gunpoint and made her drive.

Arriving officers broadcast a description of the car, and just before 10:40 p.m., the Kia was spotted by a Clayton police officer.

At one point, Hughes said, three shots were fired from the Kia toward pursuing officers, but none of the vehicles or officers was struck.

“Once the car got stuck, the suspect shot the victim,” Hughes said. Corbett was then arrested.
This was once again a situation where the victim had done everything "right". She ended the relationship and moved in with family who could protect her. However, readers of the blog know that pregnancy and the time immediately after she leaves are the two of the most dangerous times for women whose partners are violent. That is why it is vitally important to have a plan for leaving and, for many women, to have a place to stay that their partner doesn't know about. If you are experiencing abuse in your relationship and are thinking about leaving, call us at 404-688-9436 (or outside Atlanta, GA call 1-800-799 SAFE to be connected to an organization close to you).

This also reinforces the story we always try to tell. No matter what she does to stay safe, no matter how amazing our programs are, we cannot end domestic violence. It takes a society willing to hold batterers accountable for the abusive behaviors to end domestic violence, and it takes men vowing not to be abusive and not to tolerate abusive speech or actions from their family, friends, or colleagues.

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