If you see something, say something.
The slogan has been used by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and New York City’s transportation authority, but it easily can relate to domestic-violence prevention, Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence spokeswoman Judy Yupcavage said.
“It’s unfortunate. We still need to do more collectively,” Yupcavage said after what authorities are calling the sixth domestic-violence-related homicide in Cumberland County in the past year. “When you see domestic violence, it’s so important for people to know if they don’t do anything else, at the minimum, call the police.”
A South Middleton Township man was arrested Sunday and accused of killing a woman he lived with, state police said.
Michael James-Scott Fetter, 44, of the 900 block of Walnut Bottom Road, was charged with homicide in Saturday’s death of 36-year-old Karen Marie Stump.
View full sizeCHRIS KNIGHT, The Patriot-News Cumberland County District Attorney David Freed
District Attorney David Freed said this has been the worst year in recent memory for domestic violence in Cumberland County. The county averages one domestic-violence incident a day, usually a man accused of assaulting a woman, Freed said.
“One domestic-violence death is too many,” Freed said. “Domestic violence is not about violence; it’s about one person exerting power over another. It’s often referred to as a hidden crime or epidemic. That’s why we talk about it so much.”
Yupcavage called the spike in homicides a statistical anomaly, pointing out domestic-violence-related killings have dropped nationally and statewide.
Of the six victims in Cumberland County, five were women. In two of the cases, the killer committed suicide.
“To me, it shows it can happen in any neighborhood, and where you live has little to do with what goes on behind closed doors,” she said. “People are always so shocked this goes on in their neighborhood.”
Police learned of Stump’s death about 5:30 p.m. Saturday from another police agency when dealing with a separate incident in North Middleton Twp.
State police searched the home and confirmed there was a person dead there, Coroner Todd Eckenrode said. An autopsy will be performed today.
Authorities did not say how Stump died.
Most domestic violence occurs between people living in the same house, generally a man and woman, Freed said. The public needs increased awareness of domestic violence, he said.
“We cannot ever prevent people from committing irrational acts such as domestic violence,” Freed said. “But people victimized by domestic violence need to reach out for confidential help from shelters or hotlines staffed by professionals. It’s all about safety. If you are threatened, make the call for help. People trained to work with domestic violence victims understand how to keep victims safe.”
Anyone with information on Stump’s death should contact state police at Carlisle at 717- 249-2121.
In the past year, six people have died in domestic-violence incidents in Cumberland County.
— Gary Alan Cartwright is accused of strangling his fiancee, Nicole Berman, during a fight Dec. 28 in the basement of their Silver Spring Township home. He has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial.
— A pregnant Trisha Edelman was shot in the stomach by her ex-boyfriend, Adam Trump, in New Cumberland in January, according to police. Trump was charged with murder and is awaiting his formal arraignment in county court.
— Lisa Goss was killed by an ex-girlfriend, Melissa Harris, who purchased a gun just one hour before she shot Goss and herself June 5 in a murder-suicide in East Pennsboro Township.
— Paul Johnson and Wendy Royer were shot to death in Hampden Township on June 15 by Robert Liddick, who had recently broken up with Royer. Liddick killed himself during a police manhunt.
— Karen Marie Stump, 36, was killed Saturday in South Middleton Township, according to police. Michael James-Scott Fetter, a man she lived with, is accused in the killing.
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