Hartly man shoots wife, self-911 dispatchers hear shots ("She Did Everything Right")

Delaware Online ^ | 10/26/2002 | JAMES MERRIWEATHER AND TERRI SANGINITI

[SJackson]

With his 3-year-old daughter looking on, a Hartly man shot his estranged wife in the head Thursday night, then killed himself the same way, state police said Friday.

Julie Marie Gallegos, 36, had dialed 911 about 11:25 p.m. As dispatchers listened, they heard a gunshot. Officers found the bodies of Julie and John A. Gallegos, who had been shot once in the head with a .357-caliber pistol found at the scene.

[SJackson]

"She Did Everything Right"

Originally linked at http://www.keepandbeararms.com

Paulette Sullivan Moore, Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence, said she did everything right, obtaining the "protection" order and calling for help.

She did everything right according the touchy-feely liberal "koombaya" contingent who refuse to acknowledge that guns can actually save lives.

"We grieve every time another human being loses her life because someone fails to understand the words, 'I don't want you in my life,'" -- delusional liberal "koombaya" chanter Paulette Sullivan Moore.

[SJackson]

*bang_list

[Tired of Taxes]

It's true that protective orders don't protect anyone from anything. In fact, I remember that, at one point, domestic violence counselors on the internet began advising NOT to seek protective/restraining orders because they found that the risk of being killed was even greater. (Read: If he's mad about the break-up, now he's REALLY MAD about the protective order).

But, I have to tell you, the idea that an armed woman (or man) can save herself (or himself) from a crazed ex-wife/husband/whatever is pretty simplistic, too. UNLESS that person is armed constantly and willing to shoot to kill on sight alone. Put it this way: Did the guy burst into the home with gun blazing screaming "I'm going to kill you!" OR, did he talk his way in there, corner her, and then pull it out suddenly?

BTW, if it hasn't happened already, any moment now someone may post that the problem was the $1500/month he had to pay...

[Catspaw]

A piece of paper will not stop a bullet, knife or fist.

About a decade ago in Shawano county, a woman who's ex was about to get out of prison for almost killing her was told by the cops that "we can't be there all the time," so they helped her buy a gun and took her out to the range to teach her how to use the gun. Within a month or so of the time he was released, he cut the phone lines (pre-cell phone availability & popularity) and broke into her house. She shot him as he broke into her bedroom. He had a loaded gun in his hand when they rolled his body over. The prosecutor said it was justifiable homicide.

[Catspaw]

Put it this way: Did the guy burst into the home with gun blazing screaming "I'm going to kill you!" OR, did he talk his way in there, corner her, and then pull it out suddenly?

According to the story, it looks like it was the former, not the latter:

John Gallegos had apparently cut through a screen, then kicked in the front door.

"I don't think she had time to say anything," Cpl. Bruce Harris, a state police spokesman, said. "The dispatcher heard the shots and sent officers out to investigate."

[Texas Mom]

The deaths marked the second time in a week that a husband subject to a protective order allegedly killed his wife with a child looking on.

Those protection orders have about as much power as the paper they are written on. There has been a situation next door where the wife had a protection order against her husband. Even his mother wanted to get one but it would be easier for me to have him locked up for trespassing than it is for a family member to bring the same charges. Here, all I would have to do is ask him to leave and if he didn't they would lock him up. With immediate family he had to leave marks with witnesses, or in this case kill someone before the protection order can be inforced. I've been in contact with my State Representative to see about having the law changed. It's not the cops fault, it's the way the law is written that ties their hands.

[Mad Dawgg]

"Hartly man shoots wife, self-911 dispatchers hear shots ("She Did Everything Right")"

The only way I reach for a Phone first if it has been modified to shoot 16ga. Shells as fast and accurate as my Ithica featherweight!

Otherwise I will use the phone on my 2nd action (to call the cops for body retreval!)

[PatrioticAmerican]

"Dial 911, and die!"

A Good book.

No one has ever stopped a killer with a phone.

[Tired of Taxes]

According to the story, it looks like it was the former, not the latter

Yes, a gun might've helped her in this case. With the questions, I was really referring to the multitude of cases, most of which never even make the news. (I'm sure I'm the one who didn't make that clear).

[coloradan]

No one has ever stopped a killer with a phone.

Not true: I know someone who was shot at in Columbia. He was holding a briefcase with a phone in it. The phone stopped the bullet, and he was uninjured.

However, I agree that a phone call has never stopped a killer.

[Iscool]

BTW, if it hasn't happened already, any moment now someone may post that the problem was the $1500/month he had to pay...

Pretty cut and dried case, eh??? There's no way I would justify this fella killing his wife...But I will say the "system" aggrivated the problem, to say the least...

Maybe the guy was a total jerk...Maybe the wife was fooling around...I don't know...But I've seen cases where the wife was fooling around and the husband thrown out because he lost his temper...

So what's the system do??? It forces a guy to live in a vehicle (which is illegal in all of the places that I know of) with only enough money for a cheap bottle of booze and the only station on the truck radio is playing Your Cheatin Heart...

I'm surprised this doesn't happen more often than it does...

[Freeper 007]

If she had time to get to the phone and dial 9111, she would have had time to reach under the bed and grab a pistol.

Of course, we should note that she would not have had time to take off the trigger lock and then open the safe that was located in a seperate room to retrieve the bullets and then load the gun.

[Tired of Taxes]

we should note that she would not have had time to take off the trigger lock and then open the safe that was located in a seperate room to retrieve the bullets and then load the gun.

That is true. I know your comment was intended as sarcasm, but, whether it's law or not (and I agree that it shouldn't be), a parent probably would have the gun under lock and key if a very young child is in the house.

[RogueIsland]

a parent probably would have the gun under lock and key if a very young child is in the house.

Actually, they would have it loaded and ready to rock in a quick access handgun safe. Takes maybe two or three seconds to open one in an emergency, and is childproof.

[coloradan]

Or loaded and holstered on your person.

[Catspaw]

So what's the system do??? It forces a guy to live in a vehicle (which is illegal in all of the places that I know of) with only enough money for a cheap bottle of booze and the only station on the truck radio is playing Your Cheatin Heart...

This would also apply to John Mohammed, the Beltway sniper. He was involved in two custody battles, owed child support and his second wife had a domestic abuse restraining order against him. His lawyer, one J. Mills, has been on FoxNews, for one, explaining how the system done him wrong.

[longtermmemmory]

I will not minimize the crime by providing a bandaid solution. I will however ad my two cents. The court system automatically creates animosity for all parties. Often BOTH parties walk out with noting more that sheets of paper. Asuuming a situation like the above story, the woman has access to shelter counseling etc. The man has not access to counseling OR shelter. He is also warned to say nothing to anyone for fear of further prosectution. I observe end on end each week the feeling of lose and desperation that permiates these courts. Restraining orders are issue like candy in order to protect the courts from politically correct fallout.

I am not blaming the victim or excusing the murderer. I am only stating the courts have to accept the responsibility for their actions. Parity in orders must be SOP. That goes a long way in creating a balance restrain BOTH parties. (also if you ask for a restraining order you consent to a restraining order) Make BOTH parties go to anger managment. (physical violence may be wrong but so is verbal baiting to violence.)

There are no perfect fixes or solutions, but we can fix known problems.

[longtermmemmory]

I will not minimize the crime by providing a bandaid solution. I will however ad my two cents. The court system automatically creates animosity for all parties. Often BOTH parties walk out with noting more that sheets of paper. Asuuming a situation like the above story, the woman has access to shelter counseling etc. The man has not access to counseling OR shelter. He is also warned to say nothing to anyone for fear of further prosectution. I observe end on end each week the feeling of lose and desperation that permiates these courts. Restraining orders are issue like candy in order to protect the courts from politically correct fallout.

I am not blaming the victim or excusing the murderer. I am only stating the courts have to accept the responsibility for their actions. Parity in orders must be SOP. That goes a long way in creating a balance restrain BOTH parties. (also if you ask for a restraining order you consent to a restraining order) Make BOTH parties go to anger managment. (physical violence may be wrong but so is verbal baiting to violence.)

There are no perfect fixes or solutions, but we can fix known problems.

[<1/1,000,000th%]

policy coordinator for the Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence, said Julie Gallegos apparently did everything right - obtaining the order and calling for help - but that it was not enough to save her life.

Sounds like these protective orders are dangerous. They'll have to be banned.

[SauronOfMordor]

But, I have to tell you, the idea that an armed woman (or man) can save herself (or himself) from a crazed ex-wife/husband/whatever is pretty simplistic, too. UNLESS that person is armed constantly and willing to shoot to kill on sight alone. Put it this way: Did the guy burst into the home with gun blazing screaming "I'm going to kill you!" OR, did he talk his way in there, corner her, and then pull it out suddenly?

The advantage of light handguns, like a .38 snubby, is that you CAN stick it in your pocket in the morning and have it with you as you go about your day

If he came to the house, he was in violation of the protective order. If she drew on sight, she would have the advantage.