Questions We Must Ask

“In the Christina Jones case, we can and must ask many questions that will shed light on the work we yet have to do. Melvin Carter had a long history of domestic violence before he killed Christina. How many times did Melvin abuse Christina before she died? Who knew about the violence? Who did they tell? Who reached out to Christina when she did call the police each time? Who followed up with her? When Melvin Carter was arrested on November 24, why were charges not filed against him? He was on probation already for domestic violence but his bail was low enough that he was able to bail out of jail…so he could go kill her. Did Christina get notified when he was being released from jail? Did she even know that there is a victim notification system in San Diego operated by the Sheriff’s Department? Did anyone tell her? Did anyone refer her to the San Diego Family Justice Center? She had the paperwork for a restraining order when she died. Where did she get it? Did the agency that gave it to her do any kind of Danger Assessment or Safety Plan? Surely, such an assessment would have shown the extreme danger she was in at the time and a Safety Plan would have helped her think through the danger and her options. Were the civil legal providers, the law enforcement officers, the advocates, and the prosecutors all coordinating their outreach to Christina? If not, why not? Were they all talking to each other and to her? If not, why not?

Esther Chavez would have asked questions. Esther Chavez would not let us pat ourselves on the back about the great work we have done over the last 25 years and then dismiss the death of Christina Jones as inevitable. Where are such voices today? We need many people to start asking honest, non-accusing questions, and to keep asking until we get honest, straightforward answers…and until the two Christmas deaths drive us to keep improving the way we protect families and stop abusers.” - by Casey Gwinn

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