Norfolk D.A. warns about spike in domestic violence

By Andrew Ryan, Globe Staff

In just a little over three weeks, the dead in Norfolk County include two children under age 10, a teenager, a 7-month-old fetus, and a 56-year-old blind aunt who lived alone in Plainville. The victims all knew their accused killers: a brother, a mother, and a nephew.

This tally does not include three more victims who narrowly survived brutal attacks, such as a 13-year-old from Quincy whose grandfather allegedly struck her in the forehead with a meat cleaver last week while she slept. There have also been eight reported shaken baby cases in the past three months, a number more than double what Norfolk County typically sees over an entire year.

The numbers add up to a startling spike in domestic violence, according to Norfolk District Attorney William R. Keating, a trend that appears to be rising, according the state.

"In the last decade, I can't recall in a short period of time in which so much as occurred in our county," Keating said today, speaking after the most recent family killing in Quincy. "There is a deep concern among all district attorneys in the Commonwealth that there is a very real spike in domestic violence. It's not something that can be overlooked or overstated. It appears to be real."

Each fatal crime occurred in a different town in Norfolk County, and the individual circumstances are unique, but the patterns point to a systemic problem, Keating said. Authorities simply cannot afford, he said, to treat each act of violence as an isolated incident.

"It could be triggers related to the economy," Keating said. "It could be mental health concerns not being addressed. It could be a whole array of issues and we should look at it from a broad perspective."

The spree in Norfolk County began in Plainville, where Randall Carpeno, 41, is accused of stabbing to death his aunt, April Mackie, 56, who was legally blind. The next week in Milton, Kerby Revelus allegedly killed his sisters, Bianca, 5, and Samantha, 17.

The most recent family slaying occurred last night in Quincy. Fang Chi-Xue, 38, is accused of killing her 9-year-old daughter and her 7-month-old fetus.

"This Commonwealth shouldn't become a less safe place for children and infants," Keating said. "It shouldn't become a less safe place for spouses and domestic partners."

Lawmakers need to ensure there is adequate funding, Keating said, for shelters and social service agencies that work to prevent child and spousal abuse and offer services to the mentally ill. Law enforcement officials also need to be cognizant, he said, to share information.

"I'm concerned," Keating said. "And everyone should be concerned."

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