Tuesday, October 26, 1999
Attorney Bryan Fox, who represents Girly Hossencofft
"She, she really tried to stay focused
on the future, about getting this (annulment/divorce) and putting
it behind her and starting her life again."-Bryan Fox
Bryan Fox had not spoken to the media about his client Girly
Hossencofft until Monday, October 25, 1999. He agreed to speak
with me on the condition that we wouldn't talk about specifics
of the criminal investigation or particulars in the annulment/divorce
proceedings. He did give new insight into the personality and
character of Girly. It was all positive. Mr. Fox also agreed
to speak because I explained the story would address the issue
of domestic violence and would, hopefully, help other women.
Domestic violence activist Elizabeth Monteith of the
Women's Community Association (Monteith is closely following
the Hossencofft case)
"It's very sad that she did follow all of
the right steps to protect herself and she's still missing."
And, "I believe that, as either a neighbor or a friend or
a relative, just providing the resource information (for help
regarding domestic violence) isn't enough. We should actually
do a follow-up."-Elizabeth Monteith
New Details: 1998 Domestic Violence Incident
Girly Hossencofft's own handwriting in a "Domestic
Violence Victim's Statement" details the following incident:
"My husband was cheating on our marriage for 1 1/2 years.
He was very upset when I confronted the woman and she decided
not to see him anymore. My husband wanted a divorce. He hit me,
choked me and threatened to kill me. He pushed me to the floor
at home on 1/17/98, 5:30pm. I yelled for help. Our tenant, Shelly
Abrams, witnessed the incident, called my neighbor Pedro Tirado,
he came, I ran out from the house and called the police at my
neighbor's."
The police report, filled out by Officer T. Hoffman,
states the following:
"Diazien Hossencofft was booked into BCDC. The arrest was
made, in whole or part, based on probable cause to believe that
the offender committed domestic abuse on his wife. Officers were
dispatched to 8905 Delamar reference a domestic dispute. Upon
arrival, Girly Hossencofft told us her husband beat her up. Girly
told us her husband Diazien choked her to where she almost passed
out (red mark on her neck) and punched her several times in the
face (left eye swollen/red). Girly also said she was pushed down
on the ground (leg had scrape on it). A dresser fell on Girly
during incident. Girly said she is in fear for her life. Roommate
witnessed incident (statement given). Diazien was arrested and
booked into BCDC."
The roommate, then 53-year-old Shelly Abrams, wrote
down the following in a statement to police:
"I came out of my room to bring something into the kitchen
when Diazien had Girly in a bear hold in the kitchen and she
was crying and screaming. He was pulling her hair and was dragging
her into the bedroom and it appeared a chest fell on her--not
sure--he was on top of her. I called Pedro Tirado and told him
to come right over, thinking he would be able to reason with
him. Police arrived."
*At this time, I'd like to provide a phone number
for a domestic violence hotline. If you, or someone you know
needs help, this is a great number to call. It's a toll free
number and works statewide.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE
1-800-773-3645
copyright M. Horner 1999
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