Elected Officials Demand Cook County Chief Judge Timothy Evans Make Changes in Domestic Violence Court
Almost 30 Chicago-Area Elected Officials Sign Letter Demanding Changes
Dozens of elected officials have joined the call for a Cook County judge, who released a man later accused of killing his wife, to be permanently reassigned from the Domestic Violence Division.
Judge Thomas Nowinski’s Controversial Decisions
Almost 30 Chicago-area elected officials — from alderpersons to district councilors — signed a letter Thursday demanding Cook County Chief Judge Timothy Evans move quickly to permanently reassign Judge Thomas Nowinski and begin a review of all pretrial services procedures at the Domestic Violence Courthouse.
“Through these actions, you can help to restore trust among survivors in the court system, and most importantly, you can ensure that you are truly doing all you can to protect lives and prevent more tragedy,” the letter states.
Lacramioara Beldie’s Tragic Case
Thursday marks exactly one month since Lacramioara Beldie, 54, was allegedly stabbed to death by her husband Constantin Beldie, 57, in the Portage Park neighborhood, according to Chicago police and the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office.
Weeks before the murder, Constantin Beldie was charged with choking and attempting to kidnap his wife. The case marked the second time that Lacramioara Beldie filed for a protective order against her husband this year, yet Nowinski denied a petition to detain Constantin Beldie pending trial, instead ordering him released on GPS monitoring.
Advocates Call for Reassignment
Advocates for domestic violence survivors immediately called for Nowinski, who was elected to the bench two years ago, to be reassigned out of domestic violence court.
About a week after the killing, Evans announced Nowinski would not be hearing domestic violence cases because of “anonymous threats.” The chief judge’s office has not provided any updates since on the status of Nowinski’s assignment.
Judge Nowinski’s Past Decisions Raise Concerns
In their calls for permanent reassignment, advocates and elected officials have pointed to another fateful decision Nowinski made on the bench earlier this year.
In February, Nowinski denied a protective order against Crosetti Brand, a convicted felon with a history of domestic violence. Brand was later charged with stabbing the woman who sought protection and killing her 11-year-old son, Jayden Perkins.
The handling of the Crosetti Brand case raised concern from Ald. Andre Vasquez (40th), who lives just blocks from where the slaying occurred. When he learned Nowinski was also involved in Lacramioara Beldie’s case, he decided to join others in drafting a letter to Evans.
Call for Systemic Changes
Officials have suggested changes to the judicial assignment process to ensure judges with less experience are not the ones tasked with handling “sensitive and nuanced domestic violence cases.”
State Rep. Kelly Cassidy, D-Chicago, another signee of the letter, told the Sun-Times domestic violence court is often one of the first assignments judges are given.
“It’s a place where we put people who are learning, and that’s just not OK,” Cassidy said. “[These are] some of the most fraught cases that any judge is ever going to see, so this shouldn’t be someone who’s doing it for the first time.
“That area of the court needs to be given the respect it’s due, the respect that survivors are due.”
Conclusion
The demands for change come as advocates and elected officials are calling for a more comprehensive approach to addressing domestic violence in the court system. While the reassignment of Judge Nowinski is a crucial step, it is just one part of a larger effort to ensure that victims of domestic violence receive the support and protection they need.
FAQs
Q: What is the current status of Judge Nowinski’s assignment?
A: Judge Nowinski is currently not hearing domestic violence cases, but the chief judge’s office has not provided any updates on his permanent reassignment.
Q: What are the concerns about Judge Nowinski’s handling of domestic violence cases?
A: Advocates and elected officials have raised concerns about Judge Nowinski’s decisions in two high-profile domestic violence cases, including the denial of a protective order against a convicted felon with a history of domestic violence, and the release of a man accused of killing his wife on GPS monitoring.
Q: What changes are being called for in the judicial assignment process?
A: Officials are calling for changes to ensure that judges with less experience are not tasked with handling sensitive and nuanced domestic violence cases. They are also calling for a review of pretrial services procedures to ensure that victims of domestic violence receive the support and protection they need.
