RI Coalition Against Domestic Violence Responds to Arrest of Cranston Judge

The Rhode Island Coalition for Domestic Violence has responded to the recent arrest of Thomas Ricci, 51, a Cranston Municipal Court judge accused of beating up his girlfriend in East Greenwich after she accused him of infidelity.

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“We are deeply concerned about the charges in the domestic violence case involving Judge Thomas Ricci. According to reports, the victim is his girlfriend and showed physical evidence of strangulation. While we do not know all the facts of this developing case, we do know that the law is very clear regarding this serious domestic violence crime,” said Judith Earle, executive director of the Elizabeth Buffum Chace Center;and Deborah DeBare, executive director of Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence in a joint statement.”

Below is the rest of the statement:

In 2012, the Rhode Island General Assembly revised the domestic violence law by classifying the crime of strangulation as a felony. A domestic violence victim who has been strangled is 10 times more likely to be killed than one who has not1. Prior to this legislation, strangulation was treated as a misdemeanor simple assault. Thankfully today, our criminal justice system has a tool for holding all batterers accountable and helping protect victims from this potentially lethal act of violence.

According to Rhode Island law (§ 11-5-2.3), strangulation means knowingly and intentionally impeding normal breathing or circulation of the blood by applying pressure on the throat or neck or by blocking the nose or mouth of another person, with the intent to cause that person harm. Signs of strangulation can include red marks, such as those reportedly seen on Riccis girlfriend, as well as bruising around the neck, voice changes, and difficulty swallowing or breathing.

When these signs are present in a domestic violence situation, they are a clear indication of strangulation and should be charged as such. In Rhode Island, we have seen tragic cases of strangulation escalate to murder when the crime was formerly charged as a simple assault. That is why we must uphold the updated law and charge every crime of domestic violence strangulation as a felony. We cannot afford to put a victims life at greater risk. Strangulation is the most lethal of domestic violence assaults, and abusers are warning their victims of their power and control over themthat their lives are literally in their hands. We urge authorities to continue the investigation into this matter.

We would like to remind the media and public to be mindful that when victims of domestic violence report abuse or leave the abusive relationship to seek safety, it is an especially dangerous time for them. Victims whose abusers hold positions of legal authority often face unique barriers. A victim in this situation is particularly vulnerable because their abuser is well connected, knows the legal system well, and likely knows specific details about the resources available for victims, including the confidential locations of domestic violence shelters.

Again, we strongly urge law enforcement to continue the investigation into this case and to reconsider the simple assault charge. When law enforcement investigates domestic violence incidents committed by alleged abusers in positions of legal authority, they send the message that in Rhode Island there is never any reason to excuse abuse or any batterer, while also helping to encourage other victims in similar situations to come forward and stay safe.

Ways to Help:

As relatives, friends, coworkers, classmates, and neighbors, we must be able to understand the dynamics of abuse, identify warning signs, and know how to intervene so that we can keep victims safe and prevent another tragedy.

We must all make a commitment to reach out to anyone whom we suspect or know is being abused. Listen, and express your concerns without judgment. Ask the person what you can do for them, and check in consistently. Help them create a plan that will keep them safe when abuse occurs, and connect them with local resources, such as the statewide Helpline (1-800-494-8100). Additional resources and information can be found at www.ricadv.org.

About the Elizabeth Buffum Chace Center:

The mission of the Elizabeth Buffum Chace Center is to end the perpetration and societal tolerance of interpersonal violence, including all forms of domestic and sexual abuse, and, until that is achieved, to provide comprehensive services to victims and education in the community.

About the RICADV:

The Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence (RICADV) is an organization dedicated to ending domestic violence. The RICADV was formed in 1979 to support and assist the six domestic violence agencies in Rhode Island. The organization provides leadership to its six member agencies, strives to create justice for victims, and raises awareness on the issue of domestic violence in Rhode Island.

The RICADV’s member agencies provide a wide array of services for victims including 24-hour hotline support, emergency shelter, support groups, counseling services, and assistance with the legal system. For more information about these organizations and services, call the statewide Helpline at 800-494-8100.

About Strangulation:

Through strangulation, unconsciousness can occur within seconds and death within minutes, according to the Training Institute on Strangulation Prevention, a program of the National Family Justice Center Alliance. Strangulation is also the best predictor of future homicide of domestic violence victims. Even minimal force may cause bleeding or swelling inside the neck. Delayed trauma may include bleeding and damage to the inside of the artery. As the body tries to heal, strokes and cardiac arrest are possible. Strangulation may cause pneumonitis and fluid overload in the lungs, even up to two weeks after the assault. Other neurologic signs and symptoms may include vision changes, ringing in the ears, facial or eyelid drooping, one-sided weakness, incontinence, and miscarriage. Weeks to months after an assault, a victim may have problems sleeping and experience impairment in memory and concentration. Mental health problems can include anxiety, depression, and dementia. In up to 50 percent of cases, there are no visible bruises.