On October 22, 2015, Suzanne Bardzell was fatally stabbed by her ex-boyfriend, Arthur Lomando. This occurred after several days of harassment, break-ins, and threats to her life. Bardzell had also called Midland Park police multiple times to report violations of the temporary restraining order she had against Lomando.
According to the Federal Department of Justice, 1,095 women and 241 men were killed by an intimate partner in the United States in 2010. On a local level, Bardzell’s case was among at least 10 domestic violence homicides and over 2,000 complaints in Bergen County over the past three years. Her death has caused concern over the way her case was handled, especially in light of the previous offenses by Lomando, and has raised questions as to what can be done to protect victims when a partner is determined to harm them. Experts say people in desperate situations like Bardzell’s often have no option other than going to a shelter to hide from their abusers.
A proposed New Jersey law known as Lisa’s Law would create a pilot program ordering those who violate restraining orders in domestic violence cases to wear GPS tracking devices. The law is named after Letizia “Lisa” Zindell, who was killed in 2009 by her former fiancé. He was arrested for violating a restraining order and murdered Zindell only one day after he was released from prison.
Lisa’s Law would set up a $2.5 million program in South Jersey to electronically track offenders using GPS trackers. These devices would be monitored by the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office and the victim and law enforcement would be notified if the defendant was nearby. The law has been passed by the Assembly and is waiting for Senate approval. Advocates are hopeful that a similar program will be introduced in Bergen County.
Whether you are seeking to obtain a restraining order or have violated a restraining order in New Jersey, contact Adam H. Rosenblum of The Rosenblum Law Firm today. Mr. Rosenblum is a skilled criminal defense attorney who has helped people in similar situations. Call him today at 888-815-3649.
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