Analysis of Recent Domestic Violence Increases and Legal Actions

May 3, 2026, 22:41

Introduction

Recent crimes in Washington and New York show a worrying pattern where domestic violence becomes deadly after a relationship ends.

Main Body

In Washington State, the murder of Gloria Choi followed a period of instability. During the trial of Billy Rickman, evidence showed that he moved from emotional manipulation and financial abuse to physical violence and illegal electronic tracking. Although there was a court order for Rickman to stay away and multiple reports of harassment, the police did not arrest him before he killed Choi on January 2, 2022. The prosecution proved that Rickman used a rented car to find Choi and shot her fourteen times. Consequently, Rickman was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. Furthermore, a lawsuit has been filed against the City of Lakewood, asserting that the death could have been prevented if the police had acted sooner. Similar patterns of violence have appeared in New York. Robert Schreiber was arrested after breaking into a home in Patchogue, where he allegedly stabbed the 22-year-old son of an ex-partner seven times. This attack happened shortly after Schreiber's relationship ended on April 17. He now faces charges of attempted murder and burglary, which could lead to 25 years in prison. Additionally, authorities in Long Island arrested Rony Yahir Alvarenga Rivera, who surrendered after stabbing a coworker and a roommate, showing a wider trend of violent conflicts in the area.

Conclusion

While Billy Rickman has received his final sentence and the city faces a lawsuit, the cases against Schreiber and Rivera are still moving through the legal system.

Learning

🚀 The 'Logic Jump': From Simple to Sophisticated

At the A2 level, you usually connect ideas with and, but, or because. To reach B2, you need Connectors of Consequence and Addition. These are the 'glue' that make your writing sound professional and academic.

🔍 Spotting the B2 Logic

Look at how the article moves from a fact to a result. Instead of saying "He killed her, so he went to prison," the text uses:

*"Consequently, Rickman was convicted..."

What is 'Consequently'? It is a formal way of saying "as a result." It tells the reader that the second event happened specifically because of the first one.

🛠️ Expanding Your Toolbelt

To stop sounding like a beginner, replace your basic words with these B2 alternatives found in the text:

A2 Word (Basic)	B2 Word (Advanced)	Example from Text
Also	Furthermore	Furthermore, a lawsuit has been filed...
Also / Too	Additionally	Additionally, authorities in Long Island arrested...
So	Consequently	Consequently, Rickman was convicted...

💡 Pro-Tip: The Comma Rule

Notice that Consequently, Furthermore, and Additionally are all followed by a comma.

The Pattern: $ext{Connector} ightarrow ext{Comma} ightarrow ext{Full Sentence}$ .

Example:

❌ Furthermore he was late. (Too simple/incorrect)
✅ Furthermore, he was late. (B2 Standard)

🎯 The 'Legal' Vocabulary Shift

B2 students don't just say "the police caught him." They use precise verbs. Note these shifts from the article:

Asserting $\rightarrow$ Instead of "saying" (used when claiming something is true in a legal way).
Convicted $\rightarrow$ Instead of "found guilty" (the official legal term).
Surrendered $\rightarrow$ Instead of "gave up" (specifically used for criminals giving themselves to police).

Vocabulary Learning

instability (n.)

the lack of stability or consistency

Example:The couple's relationship suffered from instability, making it hard to trust each other.

manipulation (n.)

the action of controlling someone or something in a clever way

Example:He used manipulation to get his friends to do what he wanted.

abuse (n.)

the mistreatment of someone or something

Example:She reported the abuse she had suffered for years.

violence (n.)

the use of physical force to harm someone

Example:The movie showed scenes of violence that shocked the audience.

illegal (adj.)

not permitted by law

Example:He was arrested for illegal possession of a weapon.

tracking (n.)

the act of following or monitoring someone

Example:The police used tracking devices to locate the suspect.

prosecution (n.)

the act of bringing a case against someone in court

Example:The prosecution presented strong evidence during the trial.

convicted (v.)

found guilty of a crime by a court

Example:He was convicted of fraud after the trial.

sentence (n.)

the punishment decided by a court

Example:The judge gave her a sentence of ten years in prison.

lawsuit (n.)

a legal case brought by one party against another

Example:The company filed a lawsuit against the former employee.

asserting (v.)

to state or claim something confidently

Example:She was asserting her rights during the meeting.

prevented (v.)

to stop something from happening

Example:The early warning system prevented the disaster.

attempted (adj.)

made an effort to do something but not successful

Example:He was charged with attempted robbery.

burglary (n.)

the illegal entry into a building to steal

Example:The police investigated a burglary at the museum.

conflict (n.)

a serious disagreement or argument

Example:The conflict between the two teams lasted for months.