MAN ARRESTED IN RELATION TO WIFE'S DEATH
On June 15, 1999, investigators arrested SCOTT DEAN McDERMOTT-ROE for the death of his wife, GLENDA MARIE ROY McDERMOTT-ROE. On Sunday, June 13, 1999, Malheur County Sheriffs deputies were dispatched to Jamieson, Oregon to investigate her death. Based on information provided by SCOTT McDERMOTT-ROE, it was learned that his wife's death may have occurred in Baker County. Deputies from Baker County and Grant County and, later, Oregon Sate Police investigators joined in the investigation. SCOTT McDERMOTT-ROE told investigators that on Saturday his wife slipped on rocks and fell off a cliff while they were picking mushrooms in Grant County. He claimed that she lived through the fall and wanted to return to their camp outside of Unity. He said he took her back to the camp and later during the early morning she died. An autopsy was conducted on Monday, June 14th, in Ontario. Results of the autopsy showed that the death was not caused by a fall as described by SCOTT McDERMOTT-ROE, but was criminal in nature. On Tuesday evening, investigators interviewed MR. McDERMOTT-ROE and arrested him for the death of his wife. District Attorney Greg Baxter said that he would be reviewing the evidence this morning before determining what criminal charges will be filed.MAN ARRAIGNED FOR MANSLAUGHTER IN THE DEATH OF HIS WIFE BAKER COUNTY
SCOTT DEAN McDERMOTT-ROE was arraigned in the Baker County Circuit Court on charges of MANSLAUGHTER IN THE 1ST DEGREE on July 13, 1999. The grand jury indictment was obtained on July 7th and accuses him of recklessly causing, under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life, the death of his wife, GLENDA MARIE ROY McDERMOTT-ROE , by choking and hitting her. District Attorney Greg Baxter stated that the grand jury considered all the state's evidence in determining whether Mr. McDermott-Roe had intentionally committed murder or not. They determined that he had not set out to cause her death. Baxter said that it appeared that the victim and defendant had consumed a large quantity of alcohol on June 12th. Both became highly intoxicated and a fight began in the evening in which the victim was hurt. When McDermott-Roe saw how badly his wife was hurt he took steps to care for her at their campsite, but did not take her to a hospital. Early the next morning she died from her injuries. Baxter said that investigators found evidence that substantiated McDermott-Roe's claims of attempting to help his wife and as to the time of her death.You shouldn't, but do
Published: December 12, 2001
Glenda McDermott-Roe died at the hands of her husband, Scott.
He was sentenced to 10 years on a charge of first-degree manslaughter in her death, a seemingly light sentence — but the heaviest punishment prosecutors could pursue.
If Scott and Glenda had been strangers, the beating and choking could have amounted to murder. But because they were married and this is Oregon, prosecutors could only pursue charges of manslaughter.
A sad loophole in the law, and one that deserves change.
You wouldn’t think we as a people would need to make it possible for a husband to be charged with murder in his wife’s death, but we do.
Men shouldn’t beat women, either, but they do.
And women shouldn’t stand for being beaten, but they do.
That’s why we found the method of putting community activists “In Her Shoes” (Tuesday, Dec. 4) a good one.
We can quibble over the causes of abuse — social, economic, biological. It doesn’t matter: By the time abuse is taking place, the important thing — the point everyone can agree on — is getting help for the victim.
It is hard to understand the difficulties involved in calling the police, or going to a doctor or shelter home, if you haven’t been in an abusive relationship.
And if you are, it is hard to talk yourself past the barriers — the risk of arrest yourself or embarrassing personal questions.
What we heard loud and clear was this: friends and family have a responsibility to recognize abuse, and offering a caring hand to someone in need of help.
Abusers often cut off the abused from the outside world, limiting their access to other people and the means of support — in effect increasing the victim’s dependency on her own abuser.
A friend or family member can reach through that vail and offer help, not unsolicited advice.
“You ought to leave that creep” probably won’t work as well as:
“I’m concerned about your safety and the safety of your children.”
“No one deserves to be hit. It is not your fault. I can go with you to get help.”
“Let’s talk about a safety plan. I will help.”
Sure, it isn’t your problem. But if it is your sister, or friend, or mother, or daughter, it is your responsibility to help.
Still not sure how?
Call MayDay, Inc. at 523-9472. It’s a business line. Someone there can help you assess the situation and develop a strategy.