Stepfather says domestic violence to blame for Hornbuckle shooting death

By Rose Hooper

Nobody knows what goes on behind closed doors or behind bed sheets over the windows.

"I'm sure investigators were wondering why there were bed sheets over the windows," Bill Henderson said of the Cullowhee Mountain Road home where Ronnie Hornbuckle was found shot to death in the early morning hours of June 17.

Henderson's stepdaughter, 30-year-old Stephanie Lynn Hornbuckle, has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of her 32-year-old husband.

Claims of abuse
"The sheets were there to keep people from seeing in," according to Henderson, who said his stepdaughter was a victim of domestic violence at the hands of her husband, a paralegal in the domestic violence program at the Cherokee Tribal Prosecutor's Office.

During a 911 call shortly after 1 a.m. that morning, Stephanie Hornbuckle's mother, Corky Swayney, told the dispatcher that the shooting happened because of domestic violence.

When Stephanie Horn-buckle was arrested the day after the shooting, Jackson County Sheriff Jimmy Ashe declined to comment on whether this case involved domestic violence.

However, her attorney, Zeyland McKinney of Robbinsville, called it "the worst case of control and abuse I've ever seen."

July 8 hearing
Stephanie Hornbuckle has been released from Jackson County Jail on a $50,000 bond and awaits a July 8 probable cause hearing.

According to Assistant District Attorney Monica Leslie, second degree murder is a standard charge.

"In order to prove first degree, you have to show motivation," Leslie said, adding that charges could change once the investigation is complete.

Following the hearing, a bill of indictment could be sent to the Grand Jury.

"I just hope all the evidence is presented to them," said McKinney.

No charges filed
During her 12 years of marriage, Stephanie Hornbuckle never filed abuse charges in Jackson County.

Sybil Mann, director of the 30th Judicial Alliance, said a victim may feel nobody will believe her, especially if her abuser is a successful or prominent member of the community.

"A victim may blame herself or feel ashamed and not seek help," said Mann.

REACH of Jackson County Executive Director Jean Bockstahler said many battered women are often too afraid to file charges.

"The husband may threaten to kill her, or their children, if she tells," Bockstahler said. "A victim may also have been repeatedly verbally abused as well, so much so that she loses her self-worth."

When battered women kill
Research has shown that battered women who kill their abusers may have experienced some change in the pattern of abuse that now leads them to believe they or their childrenİare about to be killed.

"Although a victim may have endured repeated brutality, what can push her over the edge is when the abuser threatens or commits some act that goes beyond the range she believes she can survive," said Bockstahler.

Citing a study that examined the life histories of battered women who killed their abusers, Bockstahler said battered women who kill were significantly more likely to have been batteredİevery week, threatened with death, threatened with weapons, forced to watch children be physically and sexually abused, forced into violent and unwanted sexual activity, threatened with retaliation if they left, and who have been socially isolated.

No where to turn
In many cases, Bockstahler said, victims become isolated from friends and families, either by the jealous and possessive abuser, or to hide the signs of their abuse from the outside world. The isolation contributes to a growing sense that there is nowhere to turn.

Henderson, who lives in Sylva, said that described his stepdaughter's situation.

"Ronnie was very possessive and didn't allow Stephanie to freely visit with friends and neighbors; he kept her like a prisoner in her own home," said Henderson, who would often meet his stepdaughter at Speedwell General Store, rather that at home.

Why not leave?
A victim may feel trapped in a vicious cycle and lose her ability to stop the abuse. Many women do not believe divorce is a viable alternative; other women believe that a single-parent family is unacceptable, that even a violent father is better than no father at all.

"Many women are socialized to believe that they are responsible for making their marriage work. Failure to maintain the marriage equals failure as a woman. Then there are women who are taught that their identity and life-worth hinge on getting, and keeping, a man," said Bockstahler.

Document abuse "It's important to document the abuse," said Bockstahler. "Sometimes the victim doesn't feel comfortable reporting it to law enforcement, but they may feel OK about going to the doctor. Having documentation of the abuse will help a victim in legal proceedings ‚ and it could determine their long-term safety."

But, cautions Mann, just because a woman does not report the abuse certainly does not mean that she is not a victim.

Help in Jackson County
In Jackson County, REACH provides services for abused women seeking help, including a 24-hour crisis hotline at 586-1911, emergency shelter and a safe village with security where families can live up to two years. REACH also provides legal advocacy, counseling, classes and support groups. For details, call 631-4488.

"Unfortunately," Bock-stahler said, "many women still hesitate to call or reach out to anyone for help."

Back to Archive: 07/03/03.