Amanda Ross, 29, obtained an order of protective against her ex-fiancé after their engagement was broken off. On September 11, 2009, while under this order, she was gunned down outside of her downtown Lexington townhouse by her ex-fiancé, former Kentucky lawmaker Steven Nunn. Initially Nunn was only arrested for violating the protective order, which banned him from contacting Ross. Later, when Nunn was charged with Amanda’s murder, he pleaded not guilty in Circuit Court, to the charges of murder and violating an emergency protective order.
January 11, 2010
Meanwhile, Ross' family is looked for more than a conviction. They started pushing for new state legislation that would protect victims of domestic violence. Diana Ross played a central role in the creation of "Amanda's bill," a new state legislation that would require those served with orders of protection to wear a tracking device so police -- and potential victims -- could keep tabs on their whereabouts.
According to the federal Electronic Monitoring Resource Center at Denver University, 12 states currently have laws allowing judges to order people to wear GPS monitors that send an alarm to victims and police if the perpetrator enters areas restricted by the order of protection.
Ten Months after her murder, a new domestic violence law inspired by the state worker's death will take effect Thursday in Kentucky.
Amanda's Bill allows judges to order those who violate a domestic violence order to wear a global positioning system tracking device to help ensure that abusers remain the required distance from victims. It also allows felony charges to be pressed against violators who attempt to remove a court-ordered tracking device.
The slain woman's mother, Diana Ross, is imploring judges to use the new law at every possible opportunity.
"I'm pleading with the judges to use their common sense and order this," she said. "Every domestic violence case should be looked at as a potential homicide."
The state courts system has "been working diligently on the implementation" of the new law, said Jamie Ball, a spokeswoman for the Administrative Office of the Courts.
She said circuit clerks received education on the new law during their conference on June 16. Deputy court clerks are receiving training during the second week of July, she said.
Ball noted that judges are learning about the law through seminars on the Internet this month.
Also, domestic violence brochures are being revised to inform petitioners of the changes in the law and the possibility of GPS monitoring in their cases, she said.
Meanwhile, attorneys across the state have been informed about the law through continuing legal-education sessions, said Amy Carman, a spokeswoman for the Kentucky Bar Association.
House Speaker Greg Stumbo, D-Prestonsburg, successfully pushed the bill through this year's legislative session in the wake of the Ross murder, which riveted the state.
"Judges now have a powerful tool that should give greater peace of mind to victims worried for their safety," Stumbo said last week.
He praised the strength and vigilance of Diana Ross, who attended all legislative hearings on the issue.
"Her advocacy and resilience were crucial and a guide for us all," he said.
For her part, Ross said she'll continue to lobby for stronger domestic violence protections, particularly a proposal that would apply those laws to dating partners.
"I will be working in next year's legislative session to accomplish that," she said.
The mother said she considers the new law a tribute to not only her daughter, "but all victims of domestic violence."
No homicides have been reported in any states that currently use GPS monitoring in domestic violence cases. Fifteen states now allow their courts to use GPS to protect domestic violence victims.
• Massachusetts
• New York
• Indiana
• Colorado
• Texas
• Illinois
• Florida
• Oklahoma
• California
• Maryland
• Connecticut
• Michigan
• Arkansas
• Kentucky
January 11, 2010
Meanwhile, Ross' family is looked for more than a conviction. They started pushing for new state legislation that would protect victims of domestic violence. Diana Ross played a central role in the creation of "Amanda's bill," a new state legislation that would require those served with orders of protection to wear a tracking device so police -- and potential victims -- could keep tabs on their whereabouts.
According to the federal Electronic Monitoring Resource Center at Denver University, 12 states currently have laws allowing judges to order people to wear GPS monitors that send an alarm to victims and police if the perpetrator enters areas restricted by the order of protection.
Ten Months after her murder, a new domestic violence law inspired by the state worker's death will take effect Thursday in Kentucky.
Amanda's Bill allows judges to order those who violate a domestic violence order to wear a global positioning system tracking device to help ensure that abusers remain the required distance from victims. It also allows felony charges to be pressed against violators who attempt to remove a court-ordered tracking device.
The slain woman's mother, Diana Ross, is imploring judges to use the new law at every possible opportunity.
"I'm pleading with the judges to use their common sense and order this," she said. "Every domestic violence case should be looked at as a potential homicide."
The state courts system has "been working diligently on the implementation" of the new law, said Jamie Ball, a spokeswoman for the Administrative Office of the Courts.
Ball noted that judges are learning about the law through seminars on the Internet this month.
Also, domestic violence brochures are being revised to inform petitioners of the changes in the law and the possibility of GPS monitoring in their cases, she said.
Meanwhile, attorneys across the state have been informed about the law through continuing legal-education sessions, said Amy Carman, a spokeswoman for the Kentucky Bar Association.
House Speaker Greg Stumbo, D-Prestonsburg, successfully pushed the bill through this year's legislative session in the wake of the Ross murder, which riveted the state.
"Judges now have a powerful tool that should give greater peace of mind to victims worried for their safety," Stumbo said last week.
He praised the strength and vigilance of Diana Ross, who attended all legislative hearings on the issue.
"Her advocacy and resilience were crucial and a guide for us all," he said.
For her part, Ross said she'll continue to lobby for stronger domestic violence protections, particularly a proposal that would apply those laws to dating partners.
"I will be working in next year's legislative session to accomplish that," she said.
The mother said she considers the new law a tribute to not only her daughter, "but all victims of domestic violence."
No homicides have been reported in any states that currently use GPS monitoring in domestic violence cases. Fifteen states now allow their courts to use GPS to protect domestic violence victims.
• New York
• Indiana
• Colorado
• Texas
• Illinois
• Florida
• Oklahoma
• California
• Maryland
• Connecticut
• Michigan
• Arkansas
• Kentucky
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