Most people are aware of GIS mapping techniques used by police departments for analysis and information sharing, but only a handful of prosecutors’ offices, including MCAO are now also cultivating this expertise.  Two of our crime analysts attended nearly 40 hours of crime analysis mapping training, followed by one analyst attending the Annual ESRI User Conference.  ESRI is a California-based company that produces GIS system software, web-based GIS and geodatabase management applications.  The analysts learned about and were inspired by a multitude of mapping applications, specifically those that could be applied to crime analysis here at the MCAO.  Crime mapping assists prosecutors in making data-driven decisions in support of crime reduction strategies and helps keep them informed of emerging crime trends in their geographic-based bureaus.

While the recent focus on concussions has been mainly on athletes, there is a group with a similar or even higher risk of injury… domestic violence victims.  
 
One in four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime. A 2001 Journal of Emergency Medicine survey of metropolitan emergency departments in Dallas and Los Angeles found that 67% of women seeking medical care related to a domestic violence incident had symptoms associated with concussion. These victims have an elevated risk for concussion because domestic violence often includes violent acts, such as choking, blows to the head or being forcibly shaken.
 
Starting in November, the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office is partnering in a new local study to measure the frequency of concussions inflicted during domestic violence incidents. This groundbreaking collaboration will bring together members of law enforcement, the medical community, and researchers to develop a greater understanding of and assist in identification, and treatment of concussions in the context of domestic violence.
 
The study will begin with data collection by the Mesa Police Department. Officers will be trained to use a small handheld device to measure oculomotor, or eye tracking data of domestic violence victims. The measurement taken by the officers, along with subsequent medical exams will help identify abused individuals suspected of having a concussion. This identification will allow victims the opportunity to receive better medical care through a large network of collaborators and providers.
 
While the first goal of the study is to determine the frequency of concussions in this population, the second goal is to offer an increased level of care and treatment to the victims. The data will also allow study partners the ability to develop “best practices” aimed at improving the lives of victims.
 
Through these identified “best practices,” medical providers will be able to offer better care to patients by recognizing when they show signs and symptoms of concussion. Law enforcement will better recognize and address concussion in domestic violence cases and prosecutors can develop enhanced prosecution strategies for abusers who cause these injuries.
 
Fellow study partners include; the CACTIS Foundation, HonorHealth, the Mayo Clinic, the University of Arizona-College of Medicine-Phoenix, Conquering Concussions LLC, and Barrow Neurological Institute at Phoenix Children’s Hospital.
 
Additionally, evaluation of the first year of data will help determine whether existing criminal statutes capture the criminal conduct involved in these types of injuries or if a new statute is needed.

To help raise awareness surrounding the issues of domestic violence, the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office created a social media campaign on Twitter and Facebook throughout October.  The messages offered statistics, facts, provided resources for victims and encouraged victims and their loved ones to seek help.
 
In 2015, there were 107 domestic violence-related deaths in Arizona. This is an issue that affects more than 12 million people each year. Victims are from all different races, ages, genders, ethnicities, and socioeconomic classes.
 
During the month-long campaign, the Office also partnered with the Sojourner Center, The Arizona Humane Society and Lost Our Home Pet Foundation, organizations that offer programs and provide shelter to pets fleeing a domestic violence situation. For many victims of domestic violence, fear for the safety of their pets delays them from leaving a dangerous situation.  Pets are often used by abusers as a means of control over their victims.
 
Through our partnership with these organizations, MCAO not only helped raise awareness around domestic violence issues, but also helped organize a pet supply drive to stock shelters assisting domestic violence victims. Since the campaign began, there have been new pet intakes at the Sojourner Center and many calls inquiring about the program. This campaign has provided domestic violence victims with the resources and encouragement they need to seek help.
 
To stay up to date with MCAO and to review the campaign’s efforts over the last month, please follow MCAO on Twitter and Facebook.

Twitter: @marcoattorney      Facebook: fb.com/maricopacountyattorney

Last month, the Morrison Institute hosted a roundtable discussion on the death penalty with four panelists, including Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery. Rick DeBruhl from the State Bar of Arizona moderated the two-hour event that also featured former presiding judge Colin Campbell, Susan Corey with the Maricopa County Legal Advocate’s Office and Arizona Representative Maria Syms.  After an opening statement from each panelist, DeBruhl posed four questions and encouraged dialogue among the group. 
 
In the last 20 minutes, questions were also taken from the nearly 100 attendees in the audience.  As Maricopa County Attorney, Bill Montgomery is responsible for the decision on whether to seek the death penalty in appropriate cases. The decision to seek the death penalty depends on the circumstances of the crime and aggravating factors.
 
The actual decision-making process involves a multi-phased analysis. First, is there sufficient evidence to establish the identity and degree of involvement by the defendant to cause a jury to unanimously find beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty. Second, is there sufficient evidence for a jury to unanimously fine one or more aggravating factors to render a defendant eligible for the death penalty. Third, is there sufficient evidence for a jury to unanimously conclude the defendant's mitigating evidence does not call for a sentence other than death. Finally, is the murder in question the type of murder where the death penalty is a just punishment. Very few murders ultimately satisfy all these requirements.

In Maricopa County, the death row population has been declining since 2010 and County Attorney Montgomery attributes some of that decline to decreases in the types of crimes that might lead prosecutors to seek the death penalty.  “Although recent crime rates show an increase in violent crime, it is still over 30% less than the highest historical violent crime rate almost 25 years ago,” said County Attorney Bill Montgomery.