Timeline:
The struggle for justice, and my keeping my family together, as well as trying to just stay strong for everyone. (RW refers to my former husband). (Names have been removed for privacy). ADA= Assistant District Attorney. DA=District Attorney
November 2, 2005:
Incident
Interrogation of RW and Arrested Made
My boys placed in a foster care group home together.
November 8, 2005:
Released from Hospital
November 9, 2005:
Filed petitions at Family Court for return of my boys
Family Order of Protection
November 10, 2005:
Appearance at Family Court
November 11, 2005
Visit with my boys
November 16, 2005:
Family Court Appearance
My boys returned home.
December 21, 2005:
Family Court Appearance:
Legal counsel for RW stated that he may be released from jail due to 45-day law
December 22, 2005
Called DA’s office to find out what the name of the ADA who would be prosecuting case. Was given name of ADA in Colonie Town Court. Left VM with Colonie Town Court ADA. No return call.
December 29, 2005
Received Call from Albany County ADA
Stated “just received file on desk”
“Good chance that RW would be released the following day.”
Asked questions and background information
December 30, 2005
Bought new locks. Changed locks and bought locks to add to garage doors and other entry ways. (Received help from friends).
Received phone msg that RW was released from jail.
January 9, 2006
Left msg. (2) With Albany County ADA
January 10, 2006
Called Albany County ADA and spoke with him. Concerned that case was going to Honor Court. I was told that it was not going to honor court. Albany County ADA also told me that he received the medical records, but still did NOT have the photos from the State Police.
January 13, 2006:
Received word that RW was going to Rehab in Utica
January 16, 2006 (MLK- Holiday)
Albany County ADA called me and asked to sit down and speak with me. When I told him that I could go to his office sometime that week, he asked if I’d be comfortable to have him come to my home that afternoon.
Albany County ADA, Bureau Chief and Crime Victim’s Advocate arrived at 3:10 pm in my home.
Stated that “file fell through the cracks” and that the “person responsible had been dealt with internally.” That issue was over with and would not happen again.
Also told me that my injuries did not warrant a felony charge of assault. Stated it was possible it would be dropped to a misdemeanor. Reviewed the law of Second-Degree felony assault and Misdemeanor assault.
Stated that they heard I went to the press and discussed the Rosario law in order to dissuade me from speaking with the press. “We can’t tell you who you can and can talk to….” But there can be consequences to any statement made. Those statements can be used against you to discredit you.
Also stated that it would take 3-4 weeks before any more action could be done on the case because they were still investigating.
January 17, 2006
Crime Victim’s advocate contacted me. Stated that the locksmith would call me to set up an appointment.
January 19, 2006
Msg. From locksmith. He had arrived at my house, but no one was home. There was no call back number. (No appt. was made)
January 21, 2006
Locksmith called and arrived that afternoon to install three new locks.
February 6, 2006
Received word that RW was back in Albany County area. Staying at ¾ house, with privileges to go wherever he wanted during the day. Also, some nights, staying with a friend in Watervliet.
February 8, 2006
Press Conference scheduled. Interviews with myself and Ann Comella, with individual reporters from all local news stations, one-on-one interview with local radio host, and one-on-one interview with local newspaper.
The Albany County DA has his own news conference, disputing my claims.
February 13, 2006
Call from Albany County ADA: Grand Jury date tentatively scheduled for 3:30 2/15 (msg and returned call… my friend was present as a witness during conversation via speaker phone).
February 14, 2006
12:00 – appt. at DA’s office for witness prep. (Friend accompanied me).
February 15, 2006
Testified for Grand Jury. Grand Jury indicted RW on Felony assault charges.) 106 days since assault.
February 16, 2006
Warrant issued for RW’s arrest for failure to appear at arraignment (whereabouts of RW not known to court, lawyer or law enforcement)
February 21, 2006
I called State Troopers and informed them of RW’s whereabouts and he was subsequently arrested.
March 22, 2006
RW accepted plea bargain with one count of Felony Assault in the Second Degree.
April 28, 2006
12th annual Bar Association 5K Run for Domestic Violence (in Albany, NY) I ran as fast as I could. Well no. I’ve run faster. A lot faster. I guess you never run as fast as you do when you run for your life. OK. I ran as fast I could at the time. Only this time, I ran for someone else, a lot of someone else’s. When I tired, I walked. I kept a steady pace. I couldn’t believe it when I hit the one- mile mark. I thought, hey, this is easy. I was wrong. Very wrong. When I hit the two-mile mark, I contemplated giving up and just going home. My knees were killing me. As I stared down the two-mile marker, I told myself that if I can run 5 miles to safety to save my own life, I can walk two more miles to help save someone else’s. I pushed and pushed myself. In my head, I could hear the voices of my friends and family cheering me on. I also kept whispering to myself, “no pain.” When I finally had the finish line in my line of sight, I ran. I ran as fast as my tired legs could carry me. Mild tears filled my eyes, I finished it. I couldn’t believe I finished it and I didn’t finish last.
Not only did I run in the race, but I came to face-to-face with The Albany County DA. Though we’ve had our “issues” in the past, especially due to this particular subject, the assault on me by my own spouse, I took a deep breath and extended my hand to him. I thanked him. He pulled me aside and we had a pleasant talk. Here were two people who never met, both went to the press and called each other liars, among other things, finally having a conversation. When the conversation concluded, he hugged me, and I hugged him back. He, I can forgive. Just one more step forward for me. Many more to go.
May 15, 2006
RW was officially sentenced to 2 years in prison with 3-year post release supervision.
I came face to face with RW in court and read my victim’s impact statement
October 2, 2006
My divorce to RW was final. I changed my name from Witkowski back to my maiden name, Shannon.
September 7, 2007
RW was released from prison.
June 13, 2008.
RW died. A half hour before midnight, and I told my sons about his death on Father’s Day.
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