Domestic Violence Cases Making Headlines

Domestic violence experts are taking notice after a series of violent domestic disputes is being investigated across the Alleghenies.

Overnight Tuesday, a Cambria Township couple was arrested after police say the two argued, before William Martic assaulted his live-in girlfriend Jennifer Belli.

Belli ended up stabbing Martin in the stomach, police said.

Monday evening in Ferguson Township, Centre County, police were dispatched to a 911 call of a mattress set on a fire and a man seen running from the scene with a gun.

Police ended up arresting Richard Earl in Scranton, more than two hours away from the scene.

Ferguson Township police say Earl illegally entered his ex-girlfriend’s residence, argued with her, caught her mattress on fire and then pointed a gun in a man’s face.

In Walker Township, a man’s car was shot into three times Dec. 26.

The man was struck by one of the bullets.

Police continue to investigate the case as an attempted homicide.

One day later in Bedford County, police sat Terri Showalter fatally stabbed her husband Gary Showalter in the chest.

All of these recent cases are believed to have stemmed from domestic violence.

Centre County Women’s Resource Director Anne Ard warns people in violent relationships to reach out for help.

“Holidays can be really stressful,” said Ard.

“Those become excuses for violence that might have occurred and probably would have occurred anyways."

"During times of economic recession, when people may be out of work, their access to their victims increase because they're not working, so they're home more often,” said Ard.

“You may see violence increase because the access to their victims has increased."

Assistance is available through the Centre County Women’s Resource Centre at 877-234-5050.