Domestic violence victim shares her story at the state Capitol

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Intro:	One woman brought her story to the Missouri's Capitol Thursday to explain how the state's domestic violence laws almost cost her her life.
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Description: "Three car fires, two house fires, a written note, and attempt to kill me and himself, and there is nothing we can do."

That's the response Carol Cromer got when she pleaded with law enforcement officials to find a way to keep her abusive ex-husband behind bars.

At a rally to honor crime victims outside the Capitol building, she told the crowd that everyday she lived in fear while her ex-husband avoided jailtime.

She says law enforcement officials told her their hands were tied by outdated domestic violence laws.

Attorney General Chris Koster says he's now pushing for legislation to stregthen these laws.

Earlier in the week, the House referred to committee a bill to keep those guilty of domestic violence from owning guns.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Elizabeth Hagedorn.

Intro:	A victim of domestic violence brought her story to the state Capitol lawn to urge lawmakers to strengthen domestic violence laws.
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Wrap: For Carol Cromer, she says life with her husband was a nightmare.

Before his suicide, he stalked her every move.

He sent her threatening messages.

He even set fire to her car and to her home.

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Description: "It had been five very long years of living in constant fear. It had consumed my life so long, that I was unsure of what it would be like to live life normally again."

Earlier in the week, the Missouri House referred a bill to committee that would ban people found guilty of a domestic violence crime from possesing guns.

Attorney General Chris Koster says he is pushing for comprehensive legislation to strengthen domestic violence laws.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Elizabeth Hagedorn.

Intro:	One woman's account of domestic violence contained a message for lawmakers to strengthen domestic violence laws.
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Wrap: Carol Cromer is one of the faces of domestic violence.

She told a group gathered outside the state Capitol of her years living in constant fear of her abusive husband.

She says keeping him behind bars was nearly impossible as he would place bond everytime.

Actuality:	CAROL3.WAV
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Description: "These individuals are incapable of changing their own lives. They do not value their own lives. Therefore expecting them to value someone else's life is incomprehensible and ignores the possiblity of a potentially fatal outcome.

The Missouri House referred to committee legislation earlier in the week that would prohibit people found guilty of a domestic violence crime from possesing guns.

Attorney General Chris Koster says he is pushing for legislation that would lenghten the orders of protection granted to protect victims like Cromer.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Elizabeth Hagedorn.