RICADV Issues Statement on Murder of Pawtucket's Cheryl Smith
GoLocalProv News Team
RICADV Issues Statement on Murder of Pawtucket's Cheryl Smith
Jack Doherty, 23, and Shaylyn Moran, have been charged with murder by Pawtucket police.
According to police, Moran is the ex-girlfriend of Smith’s 21-year-old son.
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On the first day of the new year, Cheryl Smith’s life was stolen from her, marking the first Rhode Island domestic violence homicide of 2020.
Smith, a mother, and local YMCA teacher’s assistant, was shot and killed at her home on New Year’s Day - a tragedy that affects her loved ones, her fellow educators, the children she taught and the community at large. Because of this tragedy, a family is left without a loved one. A woman’s life was cut short. Whenever there is a murder, the entire community suffers.
Reports show Smith was killed by Jack Doherty and Shaylyn Moran. Moran had previously dated Smith’s son, Leonard Troufield. While Rhode Island law only recognizes domestic violence in crimes that occur between those directly involved in an abusive relationship, the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence considers any domestic abuse-related murder a domestic violence homicide.
Domestic abuse does not affect victims alone. Bystanders, including family members, new dating partners, or pets are often harmed in domestic violence incidents.
We know the risk of a domestic violence homicide is five times greater when a firearm is present, and in this case, a 3D-printed gun was the lethal weapon used. We support the efforts of Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha, the Rhode Island chapter of Moms Demand Action and the Rhode Island Coalition Against Gun Violence to pass legislation banning these “ghost guns,” high capacity magazines and assault weapons.
We recognize domestic violence affects us all, and limiting access to dangerous firearms will save lives.