The Broken Arm of the Law

Belleville police chief Cory Mulligan's McMullan's husband David, a retired cop, today pleaded guilty to  beating his wife in a jealous rage because he thought she was having an affair.

In an agreed statement of fact, crown attorney Robin Flumerfelt told court the attack  on Cory McMullan two months ago was triggered by suspicions she was involved with Belleville Mayor Neil Ellis.

David McMullan later admitted his fears were “irrational and unfounded,” Flumerfelt said.

A retired police officer, McMullan became verbally abusive to his wife when he felt the demands of her job took her away from their home life.

On the evening of Aug. 6 he threw her to the ground and hit her several times on the roadside and again later in their garage.

On one of the times when he threw her to the garage floor her arm was broken.

<SNIP>

Outside court McMullan’s lawyer Dick Boriss said his client hopes to reconcile with his family.

“And indications are she feels the same way. He feels terrible about it, no question,” Boriss said.

As Flumerfelt read the statement McMullan, wearing a dark suit and white shirt and tie, wiped his eyes and blinked rapidly.

Boriss said McMullan was under a lot of stress struggling with retirement and having to move to a new community from Peterborough last year.

I can't tell you how many ways this kind of domestic tragedy happens.

Which is to say all the time.

Let's count the cliches shall we?

Jealous husband? Check?

Stressed and/or depressed? (PDF) Check.

Wife has greater prestige, success and/or salary? Check.

And, of course, we already went through all the victim-blaming as well as the scary incidence of domestic violence in police relationships, as I noted here. Lots of facts and figures to be found in that blogpost.

My advice to Chief McMullan?

Run.

 

Comments

[David Peters]

Good point. But what is this crazy image?

[Antonia]

I have no photo of Chief Mulligan to which I have the rights.

But you're right, I should have noted image.

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Husband_beating_his_wife.jpg

[Kim]

Wow, even a Chief of Police, if she's female, is not safe! I echo your advice.

[karenza t. wall]

hey, see, everything is alright now.
he say sorry, kiss the boo-boo and that's it.

aaarrrggghhh

[Ruth Richardson]

Good advice Antonia !

[Steve C]

First off, I really liked your August post on this matter. I wish I'd seen it at the time.

I think that whatever the Chief decides to do is her business; however fearful it might make us for her safety.

From what I have seen, she has carried herself with exemplary decorum and openness. She deserves the best for herself.