Pedro Lora-Pena recently admitted that he killed his girlfriend of one year because she would not stop texting another man.
According to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, Lora-Pena and Diana Boggio were driving home together after a haircut and Lora-Pena tried to take Boggio’s phone away from her because she was texting another man. As a result, Lora-Pena allegedly shot Boggio three times and then stuffed her body in the trunk of the car. The motor vehicle was discovered on Verona Avenue in Newark NJ on January 31, 2017. Lora-Pena was subsequently charged with , moving or concealing human remains, and multiple weapons offenses and is currently incarcerated in Essex County.
This tragic case is an unfortunate example of the fact that domestic violence can often lead to a fatal situation. Pursuant to the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act (“PDVA”), a certain relationship is required between the parties to deem an incident one of “domestic violence.” That is, according to N.J.S.A. 2C:25-19(d), a victim of domestic violence includes any person who is 18 years of age or older or who is an emancipated minor and who has been subjected to domestic violence by a spouse, former spouse, or any other person who is a present or former household member; any person, regardless of age, who has been subjected to domestic violence by a person with whom the victim has a child in common, or with whom the victim anticipates having a child in common if one of the parties is pregnant; and any person who has been subjected to domestic violence by a person with whom the victim has had a dating relationship.
In addition to requiring a particular kind of relationship between the alleged domestic abuser and the domestic violence victim, the PDVA also defines specific actions that constitute domestic violence. According to N.J.S.A. 2C:25-19 (1) through (19), there are 19 acts that can constitute domestic violence: homicide, assault, terroristic threats, kidnapping, criminal restraint, false imprisonment, sexual assault, criminal sexual contact, lewdness, criminal mischief, burglary, criminal trespass, harassment, cyber-harassment, stalking, criminal coercion, robbery, contempt of a domestic violence order, and any other crime involving risk of death or serious bodily injury. If any of these acts are alleged to occur between parties that have the requisite type of relationship, then the victim can obtain a temporary restraining order (TRO) and potentially a final restraining order (FRO) against the aggressor in an effort to prevent future acts of domestic violence.
Newark Murder Charges and Weapons Offenses NJ
If you are involved in a domestic violence situation or are accused of perpetrating domestic violence, contact the experienced restraining order attorneys at the Tormey Law Firm to learn more about what constitutes domestic violence in New Jersey, how a victim can obtain a temporary restraining order, and what is needed for the court to enter a final restraining order.
