The American Feminist

The American Feminist, Summer 1996

Gaps in Stalking Safeguards

The killing in Alexandria, Va., of a first-grade school teacher by an ex-boyfriend who had been stalking her has local and state authorities calling for tougher measures against domestic violence. Karen Mitsoff was found shot to death just 15 days after her ex had broken into her home and threatened to kill her.

After the first incident, Karen's stalker was charged with burglary, the most serious charge authorities were able to file. However, prosecutors made no effort to keep him in jail because he had no criminal record and no history of mental illness. The judge also felt that his actions were not that serious, and believed that the man had only made an empty threat. He was released on only $2,500 bond in a routine hearing. City officials say that Karen was briefed on shelter options and urged to change her locks.

Domestic violence specialists feel judges and prosecutors should recognize the potential volatility in these cases and the tremendous risk to victims - even when the stalker has no previous record - and act accordingly. Judges should order suspects held for counseling (or released on the condition of mandatory counseling) and should set high bonds. If there appears to be enough of a threat, a suspect could even be put on electronic monitoring.