The killing of Amber Wesley: Details emerge
Records show pattern of domestic violenceBy Brad Bauer, bbauer@mariettatimes.com
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Do you think people in Washington County take domestic violence seriously enough?Just two months ago, Amber Wesley sat at a witness stand in a domestic violence case against the man now charged with her death.
But between the April 27 incident and the May 28 preliminary hearing, Wesley's account of the abuse had changed substantially. The new account led to charges being dismissed against Noal D. Quattlebaum.
Prosecutors say it wasn't the first time Wesley, 21, of 85 Lang Farm Road, Marietta, had recanted a statement to police concerning altercations with Quattlebaum.
On Tuesday, Quattlebaum, 22, was charged with strangling Wesley after an argument at their Lang Farm Road mobile home. He is being held on $250,000 bond in the Washington County Jail. A Friday arraignment is scheduled in Marietta Municipal Court.
"A lot of people think the judges and the system let this guy out, let him continue," said Assistant County Prosecutor Kevin Rings. "But Amber Wesley really tied our hands and kept us from going after Noal Quattlebaum."
Quattlebaum appeared in court via teleconference on Wednesday for an arraignment. He indicated he did not have an attorney, but that his parents were making those arrangements.
Judge Janet Dyar-Welch continued the hearing to 1 p.m. Friday.
Washington County Sheriff Larry Mincks said a preliminary autopsy report "did not reveal any surprises."
"What we do is take the crime scene, the statements and the autopsy and try to reconstruct everything to make it match what we believe really happened," Mincks said. "So far we're not finding any major inconsistencies."
The sheriff declined to elaborate on a possible motive or what caused the fight that ended in Wesley's death.
Quattlebaum left the Lang Farm Road residence Tuesday afternoon and went to his parents' residence in Waterford. Deputies said he told his parents he had killed Wesley and they contacted police.
According to investigators, Quattlebaum admitted strangling Wesley with his arm and belt, killing her after she had hit him in the face with a coffee cup.
The Times on Wednesday reviewed records of Wesley's domestic violence report from earlier this year and a recording of the May hearing.
In a written statement, Wesley told police Quattlebaum "drew back his fist and hit (her) in the middle of the forehead, causing (her) nose to be swollen and red."
On the witness stand, Wesley told Welch she was the primary aggressor. Wesley said she was accidentally struck in the face by a door as she attempted to keep Quattlebaum from leaving.
"When I got hit in the face, it was by the door, and at first I assumed he hit me," she said.
Welch put the hearing on hold for several minutes, cautioning Wesley at length about the change to her story. Welch told the young woman she could be subject to criminal charges, including perjury. Welch also seemed concerned about possible abuse in the future.
"Maybe you wish things could have been different or handled differently," Welch said. "Maybe you think things can be smoothed over and this will go away.... But you are creating trouble for yourself."
Wesley maintained her earlier account to police might have been inflated by her anger with Quattlebaum. At the time, she thought he had taken money out of her checking account. She testified there was a banking error and that he didn't take her money.
Rings continued the hearing in hopes of the case being bound over to a grand jury for possible indictment.
Under further questioning, Wesley said she was not aware until after Quattlebaum was arrested that a second domestic violence charge is elevated to a felony-level offense, punishable by up to 18 months in prison.
In the end, without a victim or another witness, Welch determined there was not enough probable cause, dismissed the case and ordered Quattlebaum be released from jail.
"The judge went over and above the call to make sure this young woman knew she had the right to speak to someone about this," Rings said. "There was nothing else the judge could do."
Two years earlier, Rings said, Wesley came into his office and pleaded for leniency on behalf of Quattlebaum, who was charged with a host of offenses surrounding another domestic incident.
On Jan. 7, 2006, Wesley reported Quattlebaum had threatened her and that he had punched several doors and walls at their apartment. Based on the threats, Quattlebaum was arrested for domestic violence and Wesley was granted a protection order, according to court records.
A week later, Wesley had moved to a new residence and came home to find Quattlebaum had broken into her home and was waiting for her.
Wesley reported she was thrown to the ground and Quattlebaum broke her telephone. Quattlebaum was charged with domestic violence, aggravated burglary and violating a protection order.
Rings said Wesley came to him saying she had exaggerated her account of the incidents and that she needed Quattlebaum because she was pregnant with his child.
Rings agreed to dismiss the felony-level offenses in exchange for a guilty plea to at least one of the domestic violence cases.
"It wasn't just at her request," Rings said. "She is the victim in the case and she is backpedaling. She would make a great initial statement to police but then she would come back and say she was just angry and that she made it sound worse than it really was."
Rings said Wesley isn't the first domestic violence victim to change her story.
"It is depressingly common," he said.
Robin Bozian, Marietta attorney and member of the EVE Inc. board of directors, said there are many reasons a domestic violence victim may be reluctant to testify against an abuser.
"A lot of times you have fear of reprisals, not only against you but against your children or your family," she said.
Often, the abuser is the woman's main - or only - source of economic or emotional support, Bozian said. The woman may also be concerned about her children losing their father.
"And then you're always hopeful. This is somebody that you love," Bozian said. "They're always looking for that, that little spark, 'Oh, he really loves me.'
"It doesn't always make sense to many of us, but to them it does," she said.
Such situations are why the emphasis in domestic violence cases has become to collect as much evidence as possible up front, Bozian said, so prosecutors don't have to rely solely on the testimony of a witness who may be having second thoughts.
Evan Bevins contributed.
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Johanna
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07-27-08 9:38 PM
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Sorry, "Wake Up World", I still don't buy it. With the media attention towards abuse, the trouble that some get into for the abuse..they know that it is wrong but they continue it with an excuse.... There is no excuse for it...just the responsibilty that they need to accept when they choose to commit the act. Wake up..criminals and accept the responsibility for what you do! Wake up and quit excusing horrendous behavior. This isn't abuse anyway, it's murder! He confessed.
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KLC2006
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07-27-08 8:26 PM
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after reading all these articles..i'm a lil behind cuz of work and all..but i agree with wildcar and doublej..it does sound like they are makin it out 2 b amber's fault she is dead..and thats not right..i've only met her i think twice and it was about 4yrs back..and she seemed really nice...its just hard to think that she's my age..and its such a young age..and yes i do hope that noal gets what he deserves..cuz how do you accidently kill your girlfriend..cuz if your using your arm and your belf evidently you kno what ur doin when your in the process...and its just such a shame to kno that her 2 little girls have to grow up now without there mother..rip Amber L. Wesley kayla marie
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wakeupworld1
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07-25-08 2:13 PM
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Try studying sociology and deviant behavior. you will learn about the cycle of violence and have a better understanding. our children continue the cycle we start..... its not that they learn that something is wrong, they learn that it is the way of life and their is nothing wrong with their actions.. THATS WHATS WRONG WITH OUT WORLD TODAY... everyone turns their head like nothing is wrong.. like its not that bad.. but the sad thing is ITS NOT RIGHT
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Johanna
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07-24-08 11:59 PM
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I'm so confused by people thinking that you learn what you live?? If you lived through abuse and with the media, etc.. know that it is wrong????Why is it still the No#1 excuse? I know what the stats show but after 20+ Years of Nursing and a lot of Mental Health Work and Research...no....
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Wildcat
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07-24-08 11:29 PM
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Everyone should take a break from this and go read what mariettaisbetter posted on the drug charges story. My side still hurts from the much-needed comic relief from societal woes.
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Wildcat
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07-24-08 11:24 PM
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"All though, I couldn't do any worse than some reporters." That's a fact!
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doublej986
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07-24-08 11:22 PM
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No thanks, Wildcat. I have a job. All though, I couldn't do any worse than some reporters. But thanks for the suggestion.
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Wildcat
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07-24-08 11:19 PM
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doublej, you should work for the paper itself so we can get ALL the facts. It takes real investigation at the courthouse and poking around town to do that.
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Wildcat
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07-24-08 11:16 PM
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Still, kudos to Graceanne. Don't deny that.
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D8zeyJ
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07-24-08 11:16 PM
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What is wrong with society??? It is disgusting that society has succumbed to blaming the victim for her tragic death. Anyone who had acknowledge of the abuse that Amber was enduring has played a role in her death. Society has failed in serving and protecting one of their own. Speaking ill of the deceased is disrespectful. It does not matter how many times Amber recanted her story—society had a moral obligation to step up to the plate and be the voice that spoke out when Amber was unable to speak for herself. Mr. Kevin Rings—you and the honorable Judge Welch did not do everything you could to protect Amber—you failed! Now, you have the audacity to blame her for her own death—you are despicable!! This news article was nothing, but a ploy to back peddle to clear your liability in her tragic death. Let’s pray that society does not continue down the same path and fail Amber’s children and their future. May God bless and watch over Amber’s children and may she rest in peace.
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mustang
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07-24-08 11:15 PM
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I’ve looked the wide world over In my search for teachers true, and from the throngs that crown life’s lanes, I have selected YOU. Now will you give her all your love -not think the labor vain nor hate me when I come to call to take her back again.” I fancied that I heard them say “Dear Lord, Thy will be done. For all the joys thy child will bring The risk of grief we’ll run. We will shelter her with tenderness, We’ll love her while we may--- And for the happiness we’ve known Forever grateful stay. But should the angels call for her Much sooner than we’ve planned, We’ll brave the bitter grief that comes And try to understand.”
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doublej986
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07-24-08 11:14 PM
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I realize that Wildcat. You don't see me talking about the families' personal business or arguing about what someone said to another poster, do you? Too many times I have read these posts to see nothing but conversations that get off the topic...much like this article. I want people to stick to the facts and not gossip.
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mustang
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07-24-08 11:13 PM
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acerace...perhaps your right and I went into to much detail, the first day I said nothing but sat in awe at other blogs that seem to be negative toward Amber ..sometimes when you loose someone so suddenly and horrific you dont think clearly. I know the family and loved Amber and am still a little numb... but to anyone who has ever lost a loved one my heart and prayers go out, I've never done this kind of thing before. But to anyone who has lost a loved one I would like to send this: “I’ll lend you, for a little while, a child of mine,” he said “For you to love while she lives and mourn when she is dead. It may be six or seven years, Or twenty-two or three, but will you till I call her back, take care of her for me? She’ll bring her charms to gladden you and shall her stay be brief, you’ll have her lovely memories as solace for your grief. I cannot promise she will stay, as all from earth return but there are lessons taught down there that I want this child to learn
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Wildcat
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07-24-08 11:05 PM
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Okay doublej, but you're on here too..........
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doublej986
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07-24-08 11:03 PM
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After reading all of these comments, I have a headache. I can not believe that after all that has happened this week, the only thing people are truly outraged with is grammar, spelling and people's feelings being hurt. All of you need to grow up, get off the computer and do something else other than complain. I mean really. You should all be ashamed. I have no problem with people posting comments but to have an argument over it? Remember, a woman was murdered this week by her boyfriend. They had two children that will never see either parent ever again. That is it. Time to move on. GEEZ!!
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Wildcat
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07-24-08 9:49 PM
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Awesome Graceanne! Kudos to you!!
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acerace
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07-24-08 9:43 PM
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Harley, she didn't say it was a fact. Graceann simply said "I do not believe . . ." People do have a right to actually DISAGREE with you. Good grief! Is that the best you can come up with to counter her statement about your uncalled for rudeness?
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Harleyrider
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07-24-08 9:12 PM
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Graceanne, just because you do not believe something to be true, does not in fact make it a fact. What I posted to you was a fact.
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frostedflake1971
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07-24-08 8:52 PM
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Amber is a distant family member to my fiance and I first want to start out and say my prayers are with her and her family... I had seen the poll asking if domestic abuse is taken seriously in our area and I don't feel that it's taken serious enough in not only our area, but in many other areas.. not only domestic violence but also protecting children.. women and children are not very well protected in our system, especially the children.. its easier to sit back and pretend nothing is wrong until something bad actually happens and than it's too late.. The way I see it, he already admitted of killing the poor girl and taking away those poor childrens mother, now what's going to happen with them?.. they will have a life without mommy.. I feel that he needs life in prison without paroll.. He definately needs the death penalty but of course our laws would rather use peoples tax money to take care of the trash.
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hockeypuck
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07-24-08 8:13 PM
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Too bad we don't execute people the same way they kill their victims. Oh wait, Parrothead would just have a cow! Instead, let's pay his bills for the rest of his life. That should satisfy him.
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acerace
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07-24-08 7:15 PM
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a sad situation indeed. btdt. i packed my children and left. and thankfully had the money to go 3 states away from the lunatic.
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acerace
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07-24-08 7:09 PM
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cousin & mustang, i agree with nickzimm. what you are discussing here should not be for public consumption. take your personal conversation to the phone.
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Finallap
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07-24-08 6:31 PM
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So sad and even yet it looks like we may have yet another murder...WTAP is reporting the washington county sheriff is investigating the suspicious death of a man shot in the chest
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Graceanne
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07-24-08 6:00 PM
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I agree nascar. no matter what we do they eventually make their own choices. we can only hope that if we instill good morals that some of that will go with them into adulthood. I'm an example children living what they learn but it doesn't have to stay that way. we do have choices. I had a very abusive childhood and I gravitated to someone who abused me terribly simply because it was instilled in me that I could do no better. after 6 years of threats, beatings and fear of my life and my childs if I told i got help from eve. my life turned around and I've never been better. that was 20 years ago.
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NasCarNut
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07-24-08 5:52 PM
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Graceanne: i was just stating maybe she wouldn't have chosen some one like Noal if she had not been in a violent home...i agree we can only try and instill good morals and behavior in our children, none of us knows if they will live by this when on their own...but if they are not living it while children maybe they won't put up with it as adults??
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