The brutal murder of Amanda Ross by Steve Nunn will never be easy for Kentucky to swallow. Never.

But we’re glad LEO ran this feature about the history of domestic violence.

While en route to a Bowling Green hospital, Nunn made a number of incriminating statements, according to a subsequent arrest warrant filed in Lexington. Detective Todd Iddings wrote in an affidavit that the suspect spoke of getting even and going to the penitentiary; he suggested that the domestic violence order caused him to lose his job and made him a burden on his family; he said he was “at the end of his rope.”

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A search of Nunn’s vehicle uncovered a seven-page letter that further discussed his legal troubles and how the domestic violence case had affected his life. The hand-written diatribe reiterated his desire for revenge and referred to Ross in derogatory terms.

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It’s a sentiment shared by local victims’ advocates who, although cautiously optimistic about any promising new legislation, are equally concerned with shedding light on an under-reported and misunderstood epidemic — a form of violence that often results in victims unfairly shouldering much of the blame.

That skewed perception surfaced early on in this case when Astrida Lemkins — Nunn’s former attorney — shared this point of view with the Lexington Herald-Leader: “(The domestic violence order) caused Steve Nunn to lose his job, reputation and drove him to slit his wrists… If there does turn out to be a relationship between the death of Amanda Ross and Steve Nunn, it is not because the DVO failed, but rather because the DVO was issued.”

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There are other initiatives aimed at curbing domestic violence that Troutman believes are more pressing, including a bill sponsored by Rep. Joni Jenkins, D-Louisville, that would allow dating partners to seek protective orders. Such orders currently are limited to victims who were in longer-term romantic relationships with their abusers.

“That’s the kind of legislation we need to take on, in conjunction with prevention efforts,” says Troutman, adding that it’s also necessary for society to change the way it views domestic violence victims.

You’ll want to read the rest to see Amanda’s troubling email responses. Heartbreaking.

Related note: Is Ruth Ann Palumbo still trashing Amanda and telling everyone within earshot that she was no saint? Or is she still whining about how her gross comments – made in public – ended up in the public discussion?