Thursday, April 21, 2011

Article: Four fatal stabbings of women ‘overwhelm’ city

Four women have been brutally stabbed to death in the last two weeks.

Cops have considered domestic violence in every case, something that does not surprise advocates who say they see this abuse all too often.

State legislators are trying to battle the crimes with the Domestic Violence Registration Act, introduced recently by Brooklyn state Sen. Eric Adams. The bill would require offenders with felony domestic violence convictions to register online.

“These cases have overwhelmed the public,” Adams told Metro, adding that he hopes the spotlight on crime will propel the bill into committee within the month. “I believe that this is going to help push this bill through.”

Just yesterday, Brian Sohtz, 36, was arraigned on murder charges for allegedly stabbing his girlfriend Daniella Mannino, 34, and leaving her for dead in his Bensonhurst apartment. Sohtz yelled “I’m sorry” and “I loved Daniella” as he left a Brooklyn police station.

Sunday, police found a mother and daughter stabbed to death in Sheepshead Bay. Cops are now pursuing the mother’s husband.

Sarah Coit, slashed in her Lower East Side apartment April 10, was killed by boyfriend Raul Barrera, police say, who will face state murder charges May 12.

The murders are “staggering,” said Beth Silverman-Yam at Sanctuary for Families.

Tracking domestic violence

The registry, introduced by Brooklyn state Sen. Eric Adams, would list an offender’s address, workplace and property. A registry might scare offenders and hold them accountable, Silverman-Yam said, adding that many victims who come to Sanctuary are fighting back against violated orders of protection and repeat abuses. “The next thing you know, you’ve got severe abuse or murder,” she said.

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