Personal Injury Law

Chicago Woman Murdered by Ex-Boyfriend Parolee Files Illinois Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against State Corrections Department

The father of Mersaides McCauley, a Chicago woman who was murdered by her ex-boyfriend, is suing the Illinois Corrections Department for her wrongful death. McCauley was fatally shot by Glenford Martinez in April 2008 before he committed suicide.

In November, Martinez, who was a convicted murderer choked McCauley to the point that she lost consciousness. She filed a domestic violence restraining order against the 35-year-old. While Illinois law allowed authorities to hold him without bail, he was allowed to remain free while waiting for the trial over the battery incident.

Right before the trial, Martinez shot her several times before shooting himself. The Illinois wrongful death lawsuit contends that police should have acted back when he choked McCauley.

Following that incident, the Illinois Corrections Department revised their policy. If the new rule had been in effect when Martinez assaulted McCauley, the domestic violence incident would have sent him back to jail. The new policy mandates that any parolee accused of stalking, domestic violence, violating a protection order, or committing a sexual offense, even if the offense is a misdemeanor, will automatically have violated his or her parole.

If someone you loved was a victim of a violent crime that occurred because another party was negligent or could have done more to prevent the incident from happening, there may have grounds for filing a Chicago wrongful death lawsuit against the responsible party.

For example, a premise owner may be held liable for wrongful death if he or she failed to maintain the proper security on a property. A murderer can also be held liable for wrongful death.

Slain woman's dad suing state, Chicago Tribune, February 14, 2009

Abusive parolees targeted, Courant.com, February 14, 2009

Murder exposes flaws in parole system Months after arrest for battery, parolee kills ex-girlfriend, self, April 11, 2008

Related Web Resource:
Illinois Department of Corrections

Full post as published by Chicago Injury Attorney Blog on February 14, 2009 (boomark / email).