The first legislation that Sen. Patrick Leahy plans to move in the new Congress is the Violence Against Women Act, and he cites a Thetford woman as a reason why.
In a speech at Georgetown University Wednesday, Leahy highlighted the brutal attack against Carmen Tarleton. She was beat with a baseball bat and doused with industrial strength lye by her estranged husband. While her case is extreme, Leahy says most of us know a victim of domestic or sexual violence.
"Her doctors said that she had suffered 'the most horrific injury a human being could suffer.' It nearly blinded her and today she is disfigured and still in pain. Yet, she is now courageously sharing her experience to help others. Stories like Carmen's remind me of this: Every day that we do not pass the VAWA bill comes at a human cost," said Leahy, D-Vermont.
The bill passed the U.S. Senate last year with bipartisan support, but it stalled in the House over concerns about protections for same-sex couples and Native Americans.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 7:16 PM EDT2013-05-22 23:16:19 GMT
Jeremy Dodge doesn't want to leave his childhood home in East Montpelier. But his days on Foster Road are numbered. "It's my homestead," he said. "You know, I planned on dying here." That plan changedMore >>
A Vt. man about to lose his property at a tax sale sold it to Gov. Peter Shumlin, but now claims the state's leader took advantage of him. The governor says the allegations are misleading and he offered his neighbor a fair price.More >>
Wednesday, May 22 2013 2:32 PM EDT2013-05-22 18:32:34 GMT
An investigation has concluded that a Vermont state trooper was justified in the use of deadly force when he shot a man in a Danville school bus last year.More >>
An investigation has concluded that a Vermont state trooper was justified in the use of deadly force when he shot a man in a Danville school bus last year.More >>
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:21 PM EDT2013-05-22 16:21:11 GMT
The U.S. Supreme Court will not hear a Vermont case about limiting search warrants in an attempt to protect privacy. The Chittenden County prosecutor's office and the Vermont attorney general appealedMore >>
The U.S. Supreme Court will not hear a Vermont case about limiting search warrants in an attempt to protect privacy.More >>
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:02 AM EDT2013-05-22 14:02:47 GMT
Lawyers have argued before the Vermont Supreme Court over who should pay for the legal defense against any claims made in the 2009 death of a woman who was denied medication in jail.More >>
Lawyers have argued before the Vermont Supreme Court over who should pay for the legal defense against any claims made in the 2009 death of a woman who was denied medication in jail.More >>
Wednesday, May 22 2013 7:21 PM EDT2013-05-22 23:21:29 GMT
At this shop in the picturesque town of Woodstock, and for those who work in 140 pharmacies scattered throughout Vermont, the workload is about to increase. New requirements are set to take effect, mostMore >>
Lawmakers prescribed a host of changes to combat Vermont's growing problem with hard drugs. The safety measures will now mean longer wait times at the pharmacy.More >>
Wednesday, May 22 2013 9:45 AM EDT2013-05-22 13:45:46 GMT
Sheriffs say a body found floating in the waters off the Florida Keys is that of a Vermonter. The Monroe County Sheriff's office says early Sunday morning, two people fishing off a bridge reported seeingMore >>
Sheriffs say a body found floating in the waters off the Florida Keys is that of a Vermonter.More >>
Wednesday, May 22 2013 7:24 PM EDT2013-05-22 23:24:48 GMT
Vermont denied a license for a new health insurance company. The Vermont Health Co-op opened for business last fall. The nonprofit company was created to take part in the new health care exchange underMore >>
Vermont has denied a license for a new health insurance company.More >>
