DETROIT – Mario Green had spent years tormenting his ex-wife, Latricia Brown, according to the two personal protection orders she sought against him earlier this summer.
The Wayne County Circuit Court states that while a PPO is valid as soon as it’s signed, serving it on the person filing it is the next phase, and time is of the essence.
The second of Brown’s PPOs was granted on July 21, but 31 days later, she was gunned down in the basement of Henry Ford Hospital, where she was an employee.
“Getting a PPO is like pulling a gun that’s not loaded on somebody,” said Attorney Vonda Evans.
She says the PPO is only as powerful if it is served and enforced – something that didn’t happen in this instance.
Getting a court order is only one part of a process people have to get free of a domestic violence situation, and it isn’t a guarantee that tragedies, such as Brown’s killing, can be avoided.
“The fear is, it may ignite some anger or violence, but what’s the alternative?” Evans said. “If you don’t do it, and that person doesn’t have notice, the police can’t help you.”
When a PPO is signed by a judge, it then must be served, and it is on the person who filed for the order – in this instance, Brown – to see to it that it is served
“You can pay a fee to someone (a court officer or process server) or you can have a family member or friend serve them,” Evans said. “But that service has to be done so that the person has notice.”
Local 4 obtained both of Brown’s orders on Monday (Aug. 26).
On the back of the approved PPO was a flier for First Step, a non-profit that provides services for survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
“When it comes to domestic violence, it’s often that they’re leaning into the idea that it’s just physical violence,” said Jeni Hooper, First Step’s interim executive director.
The fliers are part of a partnership the organization has with Wayne County.
“We have a crisis helpline, an emergency shelter, and we have advocacy and counseling services for children as young as three to the lifespan of a survivor,” Hooper said. “We also have support services for survivors that are navigating the criminal justice system, and that is through our Community Response Program, where we have advocates located throughout Wayne County.”
Hooper says that there are numerous layers to domestic violence that make it difficult to escape.
In the second PPO filing, Brown stated that she had dealt with Green repeatedly, who had called her and visited her at her job at Henry Ford Hospital.
On July 1, she said he broke into her car at work and destroyed her clothes and had previously threatened to attack her co-workers.
“When it comes to domestic violence, it’s often that they’re leaning into the idea that it’s just physical violence when domestic violence is also so much more,” Hooper said. “There are things such as financial abuse, stalking, intimidation, and isolation. There’s so much more in it.”
If you, or someone you know, is in the process of serving a PPO in a domestic violence situation, you can call First Step on their 24-hour help line at 734-722-6800.