Despite protective order, Dad breaks in and stabs mom in front of their 10-year-old son (Manassas, Virginia)

Dad DAVID MARCELLUS FRYE apparently broke into his ex-girlfriend's house and stabbed her in front of their 10-year-old son as the mother and son tried to get away. Mom had obtained a protection order last February.

http://www2.insidenova.com/isn/news/local/article/stab_victim_had_protective_order/49761/

Stab victim had protective order
By Uriah A. Kiser
Published: January 4, 2010
Updated: January 4, 2010

A Manassas area woman continued fighting for her life Monday after she was stabbed New Year's Day, despite doing almost everything she legally could do to protect herself.

The 33-year-old woman and her 10-year-old son were in their home in the 9600 block of Lafayette Avenue near Manassas about 5:30 p.m. Friday, when—police say—her ex-boyfriend kicked down the door.

The woman and child tried to get away, but the attacker searched the house and found the woman, and then stabbed her in the upper torso, police said.

Shortly after the attack, police obtained warrants charging 37-year-old David Marcelis Frye with aggravated macious wounding, burglary with intent to commit assault, making threatening phone calls and violating a protective order.

The victim got a protective order against Frye in February, police said.

Investigators said Frye is the father of the 10-year-old boy.

When police arrived at the victim's home Friday, they found the woman outside on a sidewalk between her home and a neighbor's house, said Prince William police spokeswoman Erika Hernandez.

It is not clear if the victim was going for help, but detectives do know the attack happened in front of the couple's child. A trail of the woman's blood was found in the living room of the home, leading to the door.

The victim was flown to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. Her son is with a family member, said Hernandez.

A family spokesman did not return a request for comment about this story.

During the same month the protective order was issued, Frye was also charged with stealing a car in Prince William County. He is still due in court Jan. 26 on charges of driving on a revoked license, according to court records.

Frye also has convictions dating back to 1994 for dealing cocaine, destruction of property, petit larceny and grand larceny, according to court records.

Police say the New Year's Day case should not deter domestic violence victims from seeking protective orders. Police can charge someone with violating a protective order even if the person is gone when officers arrive, said Prince William police Detective Elba L. Roldan-Gill.

She called Friday's case extremely unfortunate.

"She did everything that she was supposed to do. How do you prevent him from doing this to her? You can't. He was determined and there wasn't anything else to it," said Roldan-Gill.

Abused women can also seek safety at domestic violence shelters in Prince William and other area jurisdictions.

ACTS Turning Points, an agency Prince William police often work with in domestic abuse cases, helped nearly 5,000 people in 2009, according to their annual report. ACTS operates two domestic violence shelters in Prince William County.

Police say it is important for those in fear to get help, and get out if necessary.

"The line that I use when I am trying to convince someone to seek help from their abuser is 'I don't want to have to come out to your home with a body bag,'" said Roldan-Gill.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Frye is asked to call Crime Solvers at 703-670-3700.