Why Justice for Wendy?

 The recent murder of Wendy Thibeault has shaken the foundation of this small community. Her tragic death has  highlighted the inadequacies of the legal system in this state as it pertains to domestic violence issues. 

Just weeks after Wendy requested and was granted an order of protection against her husband Randy, Wendy's family was finally able to   lay her to rest.

Twenty days from the day of her murder, hundreds of Wendy's friends and family members met in her hometown of Towanda Pa, to say their final farwell.  A farewell that was selfishly delayed because her estranged husband Randy Thibeault attempted to convince the court that, "as Wendy's husband",  it was his right to attend to her remains.

To spite the fact that Wendy had taken steps to disolve the marriage, and clearly indicated to many friends, family, and even officers of the law, Randy attempted to fight for that last bit of control.

Due to the collective efforts of those who knew and loved Wendy, and a judge who is honest and fair, Randy was denied that control.

We put our faith in Judge Rumsey to do what was right, and he did. Thank you Judge Rumsey for taking the time to hear testimony on Wendy's behalf. Thank you for hearing her voice through those who loved her. You did not fail her.

Wendy, we will not fail you either, we will not let your death be in vain, and we certainly will never forget you.  

A very close friend of Wendy's recently said,"We are all better people for having known her. Wendy knew who her real friends were."

“To stand in silence when they should be protesting makes cowards out of men".

  .....Abraham Lincoln

Integrated Domestic Violence Courts operate with the same goals as Domestic Violence Courts, but in these Courts one judge handles criminal domestic violence cases and related family issues, such as custody, visitation, civil protection orders and matrimonial actions. By streamlining and centralizing court processes, integrated courts eliminate contradictory orders and reduce the burden on victims, who must otherwise proceed in multiple jurisdictions. They also hold offenders to a higher level of accountability by concentrating responsibility for defendant oversight in the hands of a single judge. In addition, victims gain a greater voice in their cases and are better able to address critical family issues – such as economic dependence -- that impede their ability to prosecute their abusers and, ultimately, to achieve independence .

INTEGRATED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COURT OPERATIONS IN NEW YORK

Integrated Domestic Violence Courts are currently operating in Rensselaer, Westchester, the Bronx, Rochester, Syracuse, Schenectady, Yonkers, Queens, and Cayuga, Wyoming, Nassau, Suffolk, Richmond, Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Tompkins, Erie and Suffolk Counties. In addition, courts are operating in Kings, Fulton, Hamilton, Montgomery, Oswego, Broome, Chautauqua, Niagara, Orange, and St. Lawrence Counties and will be opening in additional locations across the State.

Since their inception in 2001, Integrated Domestic Violence Courts have served over 5,000 families and seen over 22,000 cases in New York State.

 Link to IDV Courts in NY

 Notable Quote

“We need to send an unequivocal message that violence against women is unacceptable,” Schumer said “Battered women should never have to think twice about whether or not to report their abusers, and should always have a place to go."

Quote by Senator Charles Schumer in 2006 after assisting Onondaga County secure a $750,000 Grant to assist Victims of Domestic Violence.

Click below for:

Mark Suben

Cortland Counties Next  DA

Because it mattered

Wendy Thibeault  

Remember Me

 We will always remember you Wendy

What We Can Do:

We can stand in mutual support of each other, and of Wendy's family, as we begin the healing process. Thanks to the tremendous outpouring of love and support, and a truely judicious Judge, Wendy is finally home.

We can direct anyone with information that they feel may be relevent to the ongoing murder investigation to contact the Cortland County Sheriffs Department at 607-756-3490.

We can honor Wendy by making  a contribution in her name to  Aide to Vicims of Violent Crimes. Check your directory for an AVV office in your area, or donate to AVV of Cortland County care of the YWCA on Clayton Ave.

 We can lobby for the Implementation of a "Domestic Violence Court " in Cortland County. (see below)

We can join together and lobby for  legislative changes that would Allow the prosecutor to move the court to detain the accused before his/her trial, in the County Jail, for up to 90 days as a dangerous person,G.L. c. 276, §58A (hereinafter "58A")

It is my firm opinion that if New York State, more specifically Cortland County, would follow the model and policies currently being used in Boston Massachusetts,   Wendy's attacker of April 14, 2008, would still be sitting in jail pending his hearing on June 30, 2008. Had this attack happened there, the judge, as a matter of policy, and judicial responsibility,  would have looked at the following before deciding to release the accused:

• the danger, if any, posed by the accused to a person or the community at large;
• the allegations of violence, if any;
• the potential penalty following a conviction;
• the accused's history of mental illness, if any;
• the accused's reputation, particularly for violence;
• the risk, if any, that the accused will attempt to obstruct justice or intimidate witnesses;
• the accused's criminal record, if any;
• whether the allegations include "abuse" as defined by G.L. c. 209A; and,
• the accused's history, if any, of violating restraining orders.

• the testimony of the responding officers, EMT's and other witnesses

 Moving Forward

 Thank you to all who have supported this cause, and to the press for their respectful coverage of these sad events. Finally Wendy is at rest,  it's now time for the healing to begin.  We know that the process will be slow,  we also know that Wendy would want us to remember her with smiles instead of tears. It is now up to the legal system to bring her killer to justice, and bring closure to this tragedy. The Cortland County Sheriffs Dept, and the New York State Police have worked diligently to do just that, for this we are truely grateful. Now that an arrest has finally been made many questions remain unanswered, first and formost, can our DA assure a conviction in this case? There are many circumstances surrounding this case that leave a shadow of doubt in the minds of many as to his ability to do just that. We can only pray that, in the end, our judicial system does not fail Wendy again.

A Local Task Force Formed 

Our goal; to establish an independant agency that would address the inadequacies in New York State, and in our County, with regard to Domestic Violence Issues. To work in collaboration with exsisting agencies to make recommendations for policy change and program development based on an independant comprehensive needs assessment, and to lobby for legislative changes that would call for the establishment of an "adequate," Intigrated Domestic Violence Court, in Cortland County. This Agency will also assist the local office of AVV, and the county, in identifying various funding sources for program development, educational awareness, and advocacy. A priority goal of this agency will be advocating for the adoption of,

G.L. c. 276, §58A*

by this States Judicial System in every county. We are also committed to assisting victims with referals to exsisting services, and by offering services currently unavailable in this county.

*This law would allow the prosecutor to move the court to detain the accused before his/her trial, in the County Jail, for up to 90 days as a dangerous person

 We invite all interested parties to Please submit a letter of support to: DVtastforce@justiceforwendy.com

Obituary for Wendy

We will update this site as information becomes available.

Links for Local News Updates