First place - Roger Hargrave - SETTING HIS WIFE ON FIRE.
Second place - Judge Richard A. Palumbo - for lifting the PFA that could have possibly prevented this tragedy
Third place - PG County - for keeping this judge on the payroll
A trial began today for what isn't exactly a new story. It actually started on July 22 05 when Yvette Cade obtained a protective order against her (now ex)husband Roger Hargrave. The PFA was originally set for one year, but was lifted on September 19 05 because Hargrave sent a letter to the court saying that he wanted counseling and that
I feel that my wife was the best thing that ever happened to me. I hope through counseling to regain her trust in me
Three weeks later he went to her place of employment and set her on fire. Hargrave, according to co-workers, went into the T Moblie store where she worked and began pouring gasoline on Ms Cade. He then chased her out of the store and set her on fire.
more below
Cade had called the police the morning of the attack because Hargave had been threatening her and was near her home. The police didn't do anything because the PFA was gone and it isn't a crime in MD to threaten, harrass, or stalk someone. Now this woman is scarred...literally... from head to toe and appeared in court today to testify against her ex-husband.
from wtop.com
In her testimony, Cade said her nose and ears melted, and that Hargrave told her he would "fry me like Crisco grease."
Hargrave is on trial for attempted murder and assault in the Oct. 10 attack.
The attack came three weeks after a protective order barring Hargrave from contact with Cade was lifted over her objections. District Court Judge Richard A. Palumbo was removed from the courtroom and placed on administrative duty because of his handling of the case. A state panel that disciplines judges is considering a complaint against him.
Considering????? He should be charged alongside Hargrave for failing to protect Cade and whatever charge that could cover validating an abusers desires over a rationally fearful victim. A recording of the September hearing has Judge Palumbo on the record telling Ms Cade that "this is silly" refferring to her desperate pleads to leave the PFA in place. He even hounded her that counseling might be a way to save her marriage. As she described his persistance in harrasing her and her family, and that she wanted a divorce, he coldly told her to "go get a lawyer". Judge Palumbo ultimately dismissed the PFA in its entirety. When questioned after the vicious attacks he blamed the dismissal of Ms Cade's PFA on a clerical error.
Seven months later, the judicial disability commitee is still up in the air on whether or not to take further disciplinary action (other than his temporary removal from DV cases). WTF are they waiting for?