Uireelor of Vietim Servi"es

J~HllJr1Mo
First 'Assistant Ui~lri('l AUorrH'Y
Jo.el W. Meinecke Hamil !ton Suzannp H. jam""

Investigators
Assistant Dislriet Attorneys District Attorney Donald M. Murphy
Athena E. Andaya K"n H" •••lrix
james A. Brown Kansas Third Judicial District Mkk Mpvu
Nancy S. Bnunheloe Boh Bu~k"
Edward M. Collazo
Suite 214.• Shawnee County Courlhous(' • Topeka, Kan~as 66603-3922
GWYIU.eE. Harris Telephone: (785) 233-8200 Ext. ,l:nO • fax: (785) 291-4.909
E. Bernard Hurd
ilia C. Kelly
Cynthia j. Long
IIpne j. K. Miller
KelUleth j. Morlon
Katherine K. Murray December 1, 1997
Alexandra T. Nguyen
Tony W. Rue.

Ms. Claudine Dombrowski

P.O. Box 304
Larned, Kansas 67550

Dear Ms. Dombrowski:

The purposes of this letter are to acknowledge receipt of your letter and to respond to the
issues you raised within that letter. From your general tone, it appears as if you may be
involved with some sort of support group for domestic violence victims which, if true,
could be a very constructive step.

I certainly agree with you that the criminal justice system is generally underdeveloped in
its handling and broad-based understanding of domestic violence issues and dynamics.
Shawnee County, however, has the Kansas model program in that we've accelerated the
court hearing process, provide immediate assistance and safety planning information for
victims and punishment as well as 0ppOliunities for behavior modification for
perpetrators. This model program is not perfect, however. But I must tell you- that many
of the problems related to it pertain to the parties failing to abide by no conta~t orders -
victims who take the offender back and offenders who won't stay away from victims.

After receiving your letter last week, I discussed your complaints and observations with
the two Assistant District Attorneys who handled the the array of cases involving you and
Hal, and I went through our records. Unfortunately, I found numerous inconsistencies
between the statements you made in your letter, the court records and the recollections of
the ADAs.

Let me say at the outset that I have no doubt whatsoever that you were in an abusive
relationship - that's quite clear. But in fairness to all parties - you, Ha~ and us - it isn't
nearly as clear who initiated many of the conflicts which necessitated police intervention.
We have as many police reports naming you as a suspect as we do with Hal as the
suspect. There were several instances in which we might have charged both of you but
elected to file against Hal only.

The police report re the crowbar incident you cited states that you were the party with the
crowbar when police arrived. Neither I, the attorneys nor the police have any objective
~-.
means of determining who did what to whom in the absence of corroborative evidence,
and we must be able to prove in court the truthfulness of the allegations beyond a
reasonable doubt. When there is evidence suggesting the complaintant may have acted
proactively in a violent situation as opposed to reacting defensively, it makes our job at
best difficult and at times impossible.

There was also an instance in which we were able to obtain a rare prosecution without
victim testimony because the victim - you - failed to appear as ordered to testify in court.
Many Kansas victim advocacy groups mistakenly believe Kansas law allows for domestic
violence prosecutions when victims fail to appear for court simply because it's been done
in a few other states. Unfortunately this is usually not true in Kansas, and most of the
time we have to dismiss domestic violence cases if the victims fail to appear for court
only to see that same victim again in a few days, weeks or months.

The ADAs also remembered that you initiated contact with Halon several occasions
further weakening - for court purposes - the position that you were truly frightened of
him. Victim-initiated violation of a no contact order - for whatever reason - never helps
us WIn cases.

It's been my experience that recovery from any trauma requires honest introspection and
recognition of the roles each party played. Please understand that I'm not condoning
anyone's criminal conduct here. Domestic violence is a crime(s) and perpetrators should
receive both punishment and an opportunity to change their abusive behavior. Ideally,
repeat victims should also receive counseling to gain insight into the reasons why they
remain with barterers, why they select barterers as partners and how to avoid making the
same mistakes over and over again with the goal toward assisting the victim to seek out
and develop healthy, violence-free relationships. You appear to be headed in that
direction, and all of us here wish you the very best of luck.

Please call me any time if you'd like to discuss this further.

Sincerely,

Suzanne James
 .~!e;._~e,!nber

.J:~eC~GI- ~I Vict~ifi Services

D:strict Attorney
~ansas Third Judicial DistLicL
311awn8e County CourthouS8 5~e, 214 i

66603--~3922

_-'ec:lT L'1S. J aJlles ,

~"ly =:larue LS ,e:an Dorwl, and I am wr~ ting to you l.D regaros co IO(~
UeC':!ffmer 1, L997 correspondence to Hs. Claudine DombrowskJ

clffi a long-time friend of Claudine's and her daughter RikK-i

.:L'.endship witn Claudine predates her relationstnp witt, '1r
K:lchardsoil. As her friend: 1 watched with great concern -;:;;""
J~velopment of the relationship wi th Mr. Richardson. j t: qU::L:::::K~,
:Jecame cleaLto those of us who cared about Claud:tne that tflc--
:-ela1:ionship with Mr- Richardson was not heal thy dHd in facT:: Wet',.
pl-acing her very life in grav,,:,! danger. As her frie:nd, I at:t:.empt~,;
to help her any way that I could. This assiS-COI1CE: includ~a
a.ppearing Hi court even when Claudine was nnabl~ to au 80
;:H::rsonally was present :til February 1995 wheri th8 DistIl <

,~ctorney s off ice was "" . able to obtain

> a rare prosecution wi th(.)w'-
'!lctim t.Bstimony "{ Page 2 of your letter dated Decemoer
1997/ I >'las ready and willing to testify to my knowledge of -en!;"
=ourse of events that formed the basis of 95CR836 _ ;,A. rev lew c,t
:~rns :rile shows that one of t,fie special conditions or Mr _ RlctLar.c
,-jonS Dail agreement was no contact with my person and/or home

.:; ,:"enruar_y '.Ji 1995, Claudine seemed unable to break free from tfl.-;-
cela't.ionsnip with Nr. Richardson. This inability caused me grea;
3adness, and even greater fear. Fear for Claudine and Rikki
could only st:andby and offer support and a safe haven when UH'
~-)ppurtuni ty arose - It waSH' t until February of 1996 ,chat: Claud.a'l
""dE'. finally able to escape the cycle of abuse and violence. Ukl;
!o:rmed the basis of the relationship with Mr. Richardson.. At ttidl
'lme, Claudine fled to the Battered Women's Shelter where sne anc
~iKRl resided for about two weeks. Th~l Claudine obtained a smal.
C1~an:men't ~ed only" three blocks from my residence _ On (file
".ren41h,l of ; "arc'h"73! 1996,) I received at !!lY residence 326, :.;~,
:{ando~pJ:if/Apt F, phone number (9l3)267~7S23) a phone caLlfC.;ij,
 Suzanne B James
Dec:em.be:: l b, 19<.i7
Pagi~ 2

\ •.auC1:l.ne 0 Claudine
was sObbing: nearly incoherenc:.. Snl:.: ;he, , \

saying hurt me.

"LLlje He hu:r-t me bad~" She was able CC) conv""
mE: th':H. she was calling from her residence at 231. S~J Brldl:",_"..J'..c
;<aza. Apt <:::301; phone number (913) 266-0890. I limnediate~y wen ~
laud.tne's residence where I found her bleeding profusely trJll: .;.
~!ee~d wound. Her daughter Hi kki appeared unharmed phys i ca 11y

:":L:"mdinerefused to call the p9.!.ice,,-:, ~he further l:efused tG 5. ,Jv-

:i~ ~o call the police for her. ~?~~ last.time~~in~ na~
~D~g- nle....Pol-2:-c~ fgr assistance-,d"tr:t'ing a domestic 3.1terca~ion w: 'T:
~! Rlcnardson. both parties were taken lnto custody and Klkk: ~~~
j:' a.ced .~D. '=he care of Mr. lUchardson 's f:lrst:. wlfe KaU-!y 'c_1rg:Cih .•
cem~L~_Il~_ i:::c the care of _Kat~~ntil C1,.audine _~.2'eed !1Q.1 t"(, appealK
1 '~rlcourt to testify against Mr_ Richardson.. Who placed _",
'..•...
cDndition
, ,.pon the ceturn Gf Rlkki7 r"Ir RJcl1ardsol1

iJuaLle-t.o receive Claudine' s COoperat:.l.on ..lH COrttactlnq the POi) ::'':,

::: enlti.
..
u_ed a. call to the Battered tvomen' S Task Force. ..c t. app~ale(\
.:.;me T~nat Claudine needed inunediate medical attention for her [~t'd(]

,'iuund. aut -'She wou~d-not~ to go to ~hosprEal

llnies", :m
ad70cate from the Battered Women's Task Force rSWTF) would meet nel
Cc1t l:_he n:)spJ, tal. An advocate from .the BWTF agreed "Co meet ll~i-,,_
'C:tif;' Emergency Room at Stormont Vale Hospital. I also placed c. '1

>-c d. tTj{~nd of Claudine's in WiChitar KS. I then perSonally :::1L_,~

i. dudine tc Stormont Vale Hospi tal Emergency Room where we were ;:;2-'-
~by an advocate of the Bt'JTF. At.flo time "We£e the of the C-=,J..Y
e..Q.~iC2~
9I To~}r~__ '~. 90n"tacted or prf!sent:. act.: Claudine' s _resi.s;l~ __Q!__2.31 .!i.1ti
1jr.~aI!!'pod Pl.2!.~~J --Apt" CJOl w..here_ the jnJ~ident; cook e.1a(;e OILMar-..cb:
.;/L i99~ Tt.ie City of TOpt3ka police were contacted by StormonT
. ..;,/"Le HOsplcaJ. personnel r g.Q!:: by Claudine or I __ I <:l.nd t.he dCVOCal,:,
.::.::cm the BW'I'f' were present when Claudine spake w.J..th the C'.l.ty c:
;'Op€,'-\:.apollce officer taking the report at Stormont: Vale dOSiJl. Ld ~
'-vas Ci.LSC iJreseTl'C Tne enTire: time the Ci. ::f '!.'opeka po--,->'_,,="
tographer tOok pnotos of Claudine in the Emergency Room. ..r
,,-. ,-;ras not l.n t.fle presence of C1.audine was ",t,en ;Uh1.

,- /.:~':>:"l"", Dat:..flrCiQm \..0 change her diaper and 'dhen CJ.duddlC ....ac;
'.'!":e..-, 'Jewn to X-ray. At en€. ad ..••1ce of medical personnel., CIaucJ.iie
d;:Jd "1 i~Y. st.ayed :.n my ti.ome thar. Hight:. so that C~O;j~.::; ""':1",.'
la'.ldin,,::, up every
~-.!11 ~=ons,-: J~()USrl e: ss
2' hours to ~~lSunc:: that she did ~10t Sll.;.::

In you:!: 1e"1:8::: of December ~, 1.997, you

,,\ .r19li.ce..-l:..E?EQ..:C~ whi ~h stated Claud ine was state you lldd rev J.ew","c
crOWbar when police arrived __" (Page the party wj th "':.1","
of your letter dat ..,,'
 ,~Uzanrle 1-1" Jc.unes
December 16r 1997
P,~g.e 3

A:,ce.m ..Der 1997} I rind t~_~:r:L.S.2!!fusin9_~_~

..i.. only place .~
of 'I'Qpe.s:a police
.::...'-C.Y. arrived to was the Emergency R9Q!!l of Stormont
/d~e. When 1 arriveo at Claudine's reS!Oence at 231 SW Brian'wod
P1.aza, Apt CJ01, I sa •.J no crowb~r" 'rhere was no crowbar in :I1'
.iehicle which. transported Claudine (and Rikki) to Stormont Val<"-
HOsDital There was certainly no crowbar in the examining room ot
~::he
~ Emergency Room of Stormont Vale Hospital when the pOll CI:
:::.rrlvedto take Claudine's statement. Why was there no crowbar l.n
~laudine's apartment, my vehicle, or the Emergency ROOlll at Stormont
Ja1e HospiLal? Because it was in the possession of Mr. Richard~l_
~"t n~s resid.en.ce- at 1717 Shawnee Heights Road, 1'ecumse1:'r.-T<S"-:---Th(;c
~~esldence he returned after to the incident at 231 SW Briarwouc
pi a.za, Apt - C301 in ffieci ty of Topeka.

What happened at 231 SW Briarwood Plaza. Apt C30l on March

,996'! 'I'he incident began With a series of phone contact:s inl ti.ac.t'c
oj! Mr, Ricnardson to Claudine at her residence. In the COUI-se ,)1
these phone conversations, Mr. Richardson promised to deliver SOll~
of Claudine's personal property to her residence in the ci ty L"l
Topeka. He left his residence in 'tecumseb, traveled. to Claudine f
apart:.rnentwithin the city of Topeka, engaged in a verbal alter(;o
t2.0n with Claudine, then struck her in the head and left her ly~n9
If:. the parking lot while their infant daughter lay sleeping l.B tCle
apartment upstairs. He then returned to his residence in Tecumsen
iNhere ~ Cd lIed the Shawnee County Sheriff I S Department. A..o
officer from the Shawnee County Sheriff's Department then arr~veG
-:'1t. Mr. Richardson I s residence in TecwDseh and took Mr _ Richardson ~
stat:ement, Meanwhile~ Claudine crawled up the stairs to nt:"r
apartment and called me at my home. I arrived at her apartment
placed several phone calls to the BWTF, and a phone cal] t;:) ~
friend in Wichita. I tI)en drove Claudine and Rikki to "tne
,"lospi "tal Hospital personnel
0 contacted the 'fopeka Police Depart"
ifIent. Only then was Claudine' s statement gi V"en to an off1cer ::'1
the 'I"opak.a 1".01 ice Department in the Emergency Room of StormonT Va i <-:
,. .~
i10spital.. ~There dre
l.ncident on t1arch 23, 1996:
two different
Hal's version
'police reports lor
wi r.h the Shawnee COUllt~
t:hE- I

Sheriff's Depar~menL, and Claudine's statement {with accomp~~Yl~~

,'hates) taken by the C.lty at 'I'opeka Police Department at Storman t
\/ale Hospita.2-,

(C'U':: LetTer daLed December 1., :997, fi.u:.ther states "lnJei"Crler

,~rle at.torneys nor the police have any objective means or nete.rWUl
~[.g WIlO did what t.o whom in t.D.e absence of corroborat.i,,'e e:vJ..uence.
\ <'ages .L-~ of your .letter dated December •., 1997' It."ou:;'c
gece:rnber 1. V 1997
Page 4

;"'Bern to me that Claudine's phone records, my pl".one r-ecurds, :'-L,,;:

Battered Women's Task Force Reco:r.-ds. Stormont Vale HOSPl t.cL
medi~dl records for that nignt on Claudine, and report dnC
pnoTographs taken by the City of Topeka Police Departwenc Sh00_:
~,v'2Iwhelml.ngly contradict the version of events given Dy to"
~.i.Cnanlson t:.othe Shawnee County Sheriff Department at
iesq ..a.e.nce .i..:nTeC\lllISeh. Namely" the above records should L er LC'e:'
1) Phone records of all calls tni tiated and recejved :.~Ulh
Ciaudine.'s residen.ce (913)266-0890 on the evening
f1arch 23, 1996 t should verify thal:.. ~
d Claudine never le.ft !l.erresidence CiL 231 SW J:.H'l"'-!'
wood Plaza, Apt C301 except to seek medical treaT
ment ,~
C"laudine never call~d the Topeka POl.lee Oepartme.ru
from her residencs within the ci~y Ilm~ts ot Top~
ka;: and
C'laudine called only me., the Battered Womer;'S '<1", F
Force, and a friend in Wichita;
,::. ;
I'ae records of Stormon't Vale Hospital shaul.:..'>Lef lee!:.
The time Claudine, R:i..kki and myself Brr i veG ".,
Stormont Vale Hospital;
The time Stormont Vale Hospital perso •...nel corn=a="'~~c
~he City of Topeka Police Department;
The time an officer with the Topeka Police Depar'
ment arrived a't the Emergency Room;
d
The time a photographer from the Topeka ,Po .•.v: ..:
Department arrived at the Emergency Room;
The time an advocate from the BWTF arrlvea at
Emergency Room;
t
The time Claudine was taken down to X-ray: ~ju
, Tne time Claudine left the hospital irl my cue""
.~ )
The records of the BWfF should reflect:
u ..
Thet.ime and numbe.r of phone calls .r-ecei veo
myself and Claudine;
'The time an advocate was contacted and dlsoat.cflto;
'CC! the Emergency Room; and
-' The observations of the advocate tnat eveolDg
rhe records of the Topeka Police Department snou_~
r-erlect:
~ The ~ime the jispatch receivea 2 ~a~ inec,l.
personnel at ST:o,.,r~nont~JaJ€' HOSI)j~tal;
The time the police officer arrived a~
cy Room;
._, /
The time tne police officer requested a
 Suzanne !1. James
Jecem.oer 199'7
Page ')

tJher bE dispatched 1:0 the Emergency Room;

:J '['he time the police officer took Claudine s state-
1

ment in a..Tlexamining :Loom at the Emergency ROOll;'

and
e I'rhe time the photographer arrived to take pictures
of Claudine.
...,.,' j
";:'1'lat: at the same time Mr. Richardson was maJnng ,H::>
::eport. to an officer with the Shawnee County Sher.:.tt
Department, Claudine was already in the Emergency Room at
Stormont Vale HOspital in the presence of myself~ her
infant daughter an advocate Ifrom the BWTF, medical
personnel} and an officer as well as a photographer ot
the City of Topeka Police Department.

PLeaS6, for Rikki's sake, review the records of the inCldent that
LOOK pl.ace on March 23, 1996. Place the Shawnee CounLy Sherlf:: s
Jepartment Report' beside the report from the Topeka Police
Department, the photographs taken by the Topeka Police Department.
::ne medical cecords of Stormont Vale Hospital! and finally the
phone records of Claudine. -{'hen look at the testimony Mr
Richardson and Claudine offered at the close of trial on September
'Dtri. 1997 .i.nfront of the Honorable James Buchele in 96D217 M.r:
th :::hardson 1 .siler-sian of events simply do not s-cand-up to the
r.';,'b)ect:ive, verifiable facts contained in the multiple ["ecores
~ created that night. To put it succinctly, Mr_ RiChardson lied
f; "C'
.::unmor-echan happy to once again make myself aVd1.1able. to tne
Cil,str~ct Attorney s office regarding
I my personal knOWledge of. Lhe
cOurse of events regarding the evening of' March 23, 1996. Please
J.0 no't hesitate 1:0 contact me at (316}524-4277. On the behalf of
~-c.maine and Rikki, I thank you for your attention to this matter
.'Lnce.re.ly,