Domestic Violence Fatality Review Commission
The Fatality Review Commission, authorized by MCA 2-15-2017, seeks to reduce homicides caused by family violence. The Commission meets twice yearly to review closed domestic homicide cases.
The review seeks to:
- identify gaps in Montana’s system for protecting battered women
- better coordinate multi-agency efforts to protect those most at risk of domestic homicide
After consulting with the Attorney General, the Commission determines which cases it will review. The Office of Victim Services coordinates the Commission’s work.
The Attorney General appoints Commission members from representatives of involved state and private agencies, the medical and mental health community, law enforcement and the courts, Native Americans, the legislature and concerned citizens.
| Name | Position | Organization | City |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beki Brandborg | Team Facilitator | Mediator | Helena |
| Dan Murphy |
Detective | Butte-Silver Bow Law Enforcement | Butte |
| Caroline Fleming | Executive Director | Custer Network Against Domestic Assault | Miles City |
| Diana Garrett | Attorney | Montana Legal Services | Missoula |
| Jenny Eck | Legislator | House of Representatives | Helena |
| Connie Harvey | Therapist | Self-Employed | Lewistown |
| Sarah Corbally | Administrator | Child & Family Services Division | Billings |
| Dan Doyle | Professor | University of Montana | Missoula |
| Joan McCracken |
Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner | Retired | Billings |
| Chuck Munson | Assistant Attorney General | MT Department of Justice | Helena |
| John Buttram | Licensed Professional Counselor | Batterers’ Treatment Program | Kalispell |
| Lee Johnson |
Supervisor | Division of Criminal Investigation | Bozeman |
| Matthew Dale | Team Coordinator | Office of Victim Services | Helena |
| Martha Rhoades | Psychiatrist | Billings Clinic | Billings |
| Dennis Loveless |
Judge | City of East Helena | East Helena |
| Phoebe Blount | Victim Specialist | FBI | Glasgow |
| Roxanne Ross | Intelligence Analyst | Division of Criminal Investigation | Helena |
| John C. Brown | District Judge | State of Montana | Bozeman |
| Suzy Boylan | Prosecutor | Missoula County | Missoula |
| Warren Hiebert | Chaplain | Gallatin County Sheriff’s Department | Bozeman |
Biennial Report – While the Commission’s meetings and records are confidential, state law requires it to publish a report detailing its findings and recommendations.
The National Domestic Violence Fatality Review Initiative, housed at the Northern Arizona University, acts as a clearinghouse and resource center dedicated to domestic violence fatality review.
The Alliance of Local Service Organizations (ALSO), based in Chicago, profiled the work of the commission in a 20-minute movie. The film explores and explains the process the commission follows when it conducts a review. The film is available here on the group’s website.
Contact
For further information about the Fatality Review Commission, contact:
Matthew Dale, Executive Director
Office of Victim Services
Department of Justice
P.O. Box 201410
Helena, MT 59620-1410
Phone: (406) 444-1907
Fax: (406) 442-2174
E-mail: madale@mt.gov
