Published: September 17, 2009 10:46 pm      

KENNETH HART: Case shows need for more victim protection 092009

I have been simultaneously shocked, saddened, engrossed and repulsed as details have emerged over the past few days in the murder case involving former Kentucky lawmaker and gubernatorial candidate Steve Nunn and his ex-fiancée, Amanda Ross.

And, I seriously doubt I’m the only one who’s experienced those feelings.

When the story broke, my initial thought was that Nunn had pulled an O.J.

I say that not to be the least bit flippant or disrespectful, but because there are several parallels between the cases of the former governor’s son and the faded football star.

Both involved prominent men with good-guy reputations that had been tarnished by allegations of domestic violence. The victims in both cases were much younger than the former mates at whose hands they allegedly died. Nunn and Simpson both were taken into custody after half-hearted suicide attempts.

In fact, about the only elements missing from the Nunn case are a bloody glove, a slow-speed interstate chase and second body.

I also tend to think that both Ross and Nicole Brown Simpson thought they’d escaped their abusers, right up until the moments their lives were ended by them. (And allow me to back up and say “allegedly” in Nunn’s case, seeing as how he hasn’t been convicted yet. I won’t do that in Simpson’s, though, because ... well, you know.)

One thing I believe the Nunn case does, though, to a greater degree than that Simpson case did is illustrate just how powerless the legal system is to protect domestic violence victims from those who are sufficiently determined to cause them greater harm.

Ross had obtained a court order to keep Nunn away from her after he assaulted her at the home the couple shared in Lexington.

That same order prohibited the 56-year-old Nunn, son of former Gov. Louie B. Nunn, from owning or possessing firearms,

In short, the legal system had done pretty much everything it could to protect Amanda Ross.

But, at the end of the day, a piece of paper won’t stop bullets.

It also won’t deter a former suitor who’s hell-bent on revenge, as Nunn apparently was.

(At this point, I think it’s worth pointing out the irony in the fact that Nunn was one of the lawmakers who co-sponsored a bill that made killing someone while under a protective order a capital offense that makes one eligible for the death penalty. Talk about being hoisted by one’s own petards.)

So, what else can be done to protect those who are the same position Ross was?

One possibility that’s being kicked around in Frankfort in the wake of Ross’ slaying is ankle monitors for those who, like Nunn, have been served with emergency protective orders. That way, authorities would know if and when they violate those orders.

“If something good can come from this horrible tragedy, Amanda’s family wants there to be reform in domestic violence protection,” Dale Emmons, a long-time friend of Ross’ family, was quoted as saying.

Here’s hoping the General Assembly makes that a top priority when it begins its session in January.