Domestic Violence Murder Victim’s Mom Pleads for Tougher GPS Stalker Law
13 Mar 2012There’s a growing trend in crime prevention. As many as 12 states are using GPS tracking technology to keep accusers of domestic violence away from their victims.
In these states, when an attacker receives an order of protection, a judge can require the offender to wear a GPS tracking device so that law enforcement and the victim can keep tabs on the offender’s whereabouts. The GPS tracker would send an alarm whenever the attacker strayed outside of the protection order.
But a murder victim’s mom is fighting for more widespread use of the GPS tracker in the form of a tougher GPS stalker law.
Amanda Ross and Stephen Nunn
On September 11, 2009, Diana Ross’ daughter, Amanda Ross, was shot to death in Kentucky by her ex-fiance and domestic violence offender, Stephen Nunn.
During Stephen and Amanda’s engagement, violence soon became part of their relationship. And in February of 2009, Amanda filed and received an emergency protection order against Stephen Nunn.
However, despite the protection order, Stephen continued to stalk Amanda, which ultimately ended in Amanda being killed by Stephen on her way home from work in September 2009.
Amanda’s Law
Since then, Amanda’s mother, Diana Ross has been fighting to have other domestic violence victims protected by a GPS stalker law.
Known as Amanda’s Law, the law was passed in 2010, but only 12 states have the law that allows judges on a case-by-case basis to order the attacker to wear the GPS tracker device.
However, Diana is looking for a stronger and more widespread law — and one that is actually used in the court of law. “It’s not effective right now,” said Diana Ross. “The judges are not using it yet. And it’s my fear that it’s going to take another high-profile murder to get the attention.”
Diana strongly believes that if Amanda’s killer was wearing the GPS tracker device, Amanda would still be alive today.
You can watch the high-profile story on Amanda Ross’ and her relationship with Kentucky lawmaker Stephen Nunn this Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET on the 20/20 special “Revenge for Real.”
