Domestic violence often escalates outside the home, particularly in cases where a person tries to leave his or her attackers. Statistics show that for many people in abusive relationships, the most dangerous time is when they leave their abuser. The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence encourages victims of domestic abuse to find allies among not only friends and family members, but also among co-workers. For one Oklahoma woman, having her co-workers nearby may have saved her life.
Police say an employee of The Children's Hospital at OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City was stabbed in the parking garage Friday at approximately 2:00 p.m. as she left work. Two nearby co-workers intervened to stop the attack, and they held the suspect, Willie Napoleon, in custody until police arrived. A doctor put the victim in his car and drove her to the emergency room before she underwent emergency surgery.
Court records show that the victim and her children had a protective order against Napoleon, which was filed in January following an incident of domestic violence. The final orders of protection are valid through January 2019. Napoleon has a pending misdemeanor case for domestic assault and battery related to that incident.
Now, the 41-year-old man has been arrested on complaints of violating a protective order, domestic assault and battery, and assault with a deadly weapon.
In general, a first offense of domestic abuse is a misdemeanor that carries a maximum of one year in prison and a fine of up to $5,000. However, there are certain factors which can elevate the crime of domestic violence to a felony:
- Second or subsequent and repeated offenses
- Second or subsequent act of domestic violence in the presence of a child
- Domestic abuse by strangulation
- Domestic abuse of a pregnant woman
- Domestic abuse resulting in miscarriage
- Domestic assault and battery with a dangerous or deadly weapon
Initially charged with a misdemeanor offense that would put him in the Oklahoma County Jail for less than a year, Willie Napoleon now faces multiple charges that could put him in prison for life.
Violating a protective order is a misdemeanor on the first offense and a felony upon second or subsequent offense. If the defendant causes injury to the victim in violating the orders, the violation carries mandatory minimum jail time.
While a first offense of domestic assault and battery is a misdemeanor punishable by a maximum of one year in jail, a second offense is a felony. Because Napoleon has a pending domestic abuse case, this second incident is a felony punishable by a maximum of four years in prison.
Furthermore, domestic assault and battery with a deadly weapon is a felony that carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Domestic violence is a very real problem in Oklahoma. Recent reports indicate that the state ranks third nationally in the number of domestic violence deaths. If you or your loved one is the victim of domestic violence, call the Oklahoma Safeline at 1-800-522-SAFE (7233) for help.
