Vicious Cycle Often Ends In Death

Those who work in the justice system say domestic violence is a cycle - one that often doesn’t end until someone dies.

In 1993, 42 percent of Idaho’s homicides were related to domestic violence.

A look at some of North Idaho’s most recent cases shows the toll domestic violence has taken.

A jury acquitted Debbie Lu Bowser of involuntary manslaughter on Dec. 23, 1994. Bowser was accused of killing her live-in boyfriend, Brad Vollertsen. Bowser told the jury that Vollertsen often beat her when he drank and that he attacked her the night of the shooting.

Kootenai County sheriff’s officials say Darlene Caba shot and killed her husband on Dec. 16, 1994, at their home east of Coeur d’Alene. Darlene Caba told investigators that she shot John Caba in the chest because he was coming after her with a knife. The Kootenai County prosecutor has yet to decide if charges will be filed against her.

Kevin Fitzpatrick shot and killed his ex-wife and a 16-year-old neighbor boy on Oct. 29, 1994. The probation and parole officer then put the gun to his head and killed himself. Family members believe Fitzpatrick was distraught over the breakup of his marriage.

In late October, the Kootenai County prosecutor charged Mark A. Bergenske with nine crimes ranging from rape to aggravated assault. Post Falls police say Bergenske held a gun to his new wife’s head, choked her to unconsciousness and repeatedly threatened to kill her. But in December, Susan Bergenske decided to return to her husband and several of those charges were dropped.

Patrick Olson shot his ex-girlfriend twice and then killed himself March 26, 1994. Peggy J. Smith ran from her attacker as a crowd of people watched the shooting on Appleway in Coeur d’Alene. Smith survived the bullets, just as she had survived previous attacks from Olsen when they were dating.

Nancy Pherigo stabbed her husband to death at their Kellogg home on Feb. 5, 1994. Pherigo, who pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter, had been arrested twice in 1992 on charges she battered her husband, Jon Pherigo, during drinking binges. Both earlier charges were dropped.

First District Judge James Judd sentenced Danny Ray Aeschliman to life in prison in April 1994 for punching, kicking and bludgeoning his 25-year-old wife to death. Judd called the August 1993 murder of Mary Ann Aeschliman “outrageously wicked and cruel.”