Ric Hertel was among the speakers at a conference in Dallas
(VERSAILLES, Ind.) -- The Ripley County Prosecutor's Office had the opportunity to explain the dangers of domestic violence during a conference in Dallas.
Prosecutor Ric Hertel, along with Ripley County victim's coordinator Allen Beneker, were speakers at the Crimes Against Women conference.
They talked about 36-year-old Kristina Jones who was murdered by her ex-boyfriend in Holton in January 2021.
Jones had two kids and previously filed a restraining order against Jordan Knudson.
Knudson was convicted of her murder and sentenced to 65 years in prison last year.
Hertel and Beneker focused on the traditional power and control hallmarks of domestic violence that were exhibited in Kristina's case.
They also spoke about the issues that happened during the trial, including the admissibility of multiple prior acts by the defendant, Kristina's medical records from prior abuse, and the protective order she filed.
Hertel said expert testimony helped counteract some of the significant witness credibility issues involved in the case.
"The workshop underscored the volatility and escalation in domestic violence relationships with an underlying goal of urging law enforcement and prosecutors to charge and try these difficult cases even when they are based solely on circumstantial evidence," Hertel said.
The Conference on Crimes Against Women brings together police, prosecutors, medical personnel, dispatchers, and probation officers from across the country to focus on best strategies to mitigate violence toward women.
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