Tragic death raises awareness
Melissa Haffner
Issue date: 10/5/09 Section: News
Samantha Peterson was a young woman with a bright future, but her future was tragically taken from her when she was killed late September 5. The man accused of her murder, David Wapp, was her former boyfriend. The two kept in touch and four days after his release from prison they got together to hang out. Wapp is charged with first-degree intentional homicide for allegedly stabbing the former UW-Waukesha graduate 36 times. The defense was granted a motion for change of judge at the preliminary hearing and the trial date has yet to be announced.
Peterson arrived at Wapp's aunt's home on September 5 for what seemed to be a normal evening at a friend's house according to a witness in the home.
The two had stepped outside to talk in her car and that's where things took a turn for the worse according to testimony given at the preliminary hearing.
Peterson was unfortunately a victim of something that occurs in this country more often than many people are aware of, domestic violence. It comes in many shapes and forms and although when some hear the words "domestic violence" they may think, "oh they just got into a fight" the reality can be much worse.
Domestic violence results in death more often than many people realize, on average more than 3 women and 1 man are murdered by their intimate partners in this country every day, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics. In Waukesha County alone thus far in 2009, 3 women have been violently murdered by husbands or boyfriends.
Domestic Violence can happen to anyone. There are no racial, sexual, religious or age limits on those affected by domestic violence. However there are often many indications that someone has the potential to harm either you or someone else. In this case Wapp, had a long criminal history of a violent nature, and had spent most of his adult life in and out of prisons. His criminal background includes child abuse, carrying a concealed weapon, battery, and sexual assaults.
While not all criminals are potential killers, many of these crimes are great indicators of a potentially violent partner.
Peterson arrived at Wapp's aunt's home on September 5 for what seemed to be a normal evening at a friend's house according to a witness in the home.
The two had stepped outside to talk in her car and that's where things took a turn for the worse according to testimony given at the preliminary hearing.
Peterson was unfortunately a victim of something that occurs in this country more often than many people are aware of, domestic violence. It comes in many shapes and forms and although when some hear the words "domestic violence" they may think, "oh they just got into a fight" the reality can be much worse.
Domestic violence results in death more often than many people realize, on average more than 3 women and 1 man are murdered by their intimate partners in this country every day, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics. In Waukesha County alone thus far in 2009, 3 women have been violently murdered by husbands or boyfriends.
Domestic Violence can happen to anyone. There are no racial, sexual, religious or age limits on those affected by domestic violence. However there are often many indications that someone has the potential to harm either you or someone else. In this case Wapp, had a long criminal history of a violent nature, and had spent most of his adult life in and out of prisons. His criminal background includes child abuse, carrying a concealed weapon, battery, and sexual assaults.
While not all criminals are potential killers, many of these crimes are great indicators of a potentially violent partner.
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