Stabbing victim's cousin will advocate against domestic violence on her behalf
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) – The suspect in the shocking stabbing death of an East Bakersfield woman on May 28 was to have made his first court appearance the afternoon of May 30, but it was delayed.
That did not dissuade members of the victim's family, who are determined to see some good come out of the alleged domestic violence tragedy.
Rafael Estrada, estranged husband of Taylor Danay Dominguez Estrada, was expected to answer charges Friday that he fatally slashed her in front of family members Wednesday night at her mother's house. The family had just returned from a middle school graduation pizza party.
Estrada, for reasons not disclosed, was a no-show in court. He remains in custody and has been re-scheduled to appear June 2.
But family members were waiting for him in court Friday. So were two representatives of the Open Door Network, an anti-domestic violence organization. They met Taylor Estrada's cousin Nichoal Swenson in front of the courthouse prior to the scheduled hearing.
'The tragedy has happened but I'm not gonna let her story die,' Swenson said. 'This is a domestic violence case. This was her estranged husband. She was getting her life back. I would like anybody who's going through this to realize that this can happen to you.'
Laney Fernandez of the Open Door Network said the organization can offer a couple of important services to the grieving family.
'I would hope that if the family would want us to, we'll provide therapy services for the children,' she said. '(We can also) hopefully provide some financial support if we can for grandma. I know she's going to have to take on new responsibilities.'
Rafael Estrada, who goes by Ralph, has one child with Taylor Estrada, the youngest of her four. He is represented by a public defender.
The defendant is accused of entering his mother-in-law's house after most family members had departed, and cutting his 32-year-old wife's throat in front of witnesses. Taylor Estrada died right there where she fell.
A Sheriff's helicopter was in the area and saw 44-year-old Rafael Estrada take off in a white truck. The copter tracked Estrada, and he was stopped after a vehicle pursuit that at one point allegedly had him driving against traffic. He was apprehended in south Bakersfield with the help of a K-9.
Estrada is charged with first degree murder, one count of causing injury to an elder adult, and four counts of willful cruelty to a child.
'I will advocate her story,' Swenson said. 'And I hope this helps someone. Because I'm not going to stop. I will be here every day until he goes to prison.'
He was convicted in Kern County on domestic abuse charges in 2000 and 2005, and battery on a police officer in 2002. He also previously had DUI and second degree robbery charges dismissed.
Between 960,000 and 3 million incidents of domestic violence are reported each year, and those are just the reported cases. It's been estimated that more than ten million people experience domestic violence in the U.S. each year. About 90 percent are women.
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