Interview with Debbie Riddle, January 6, 2010

Partial Transcript: And it was back in [19]89, long before there was this any of this great technology that stalkers have that I was stalked by, um, a college boyfriend...

Segment Synopsis: Riddle talks about her experience being stalked by an ex-boyfriend after she rejected his marriage proposal. She talks about the behavior he exhibited that constituted stalking, such as following her, leaving flowers on her doorstep, and leaving her voicemail full of messages. She discusses how she was able to get her ex-boyfriend to stop stalking her by getting a protection order from law enforcement.

Keywords: Dating partners; Domestic violence; Emotional abuse; Protective orders; Stalking behaviors

Subjects: Abused women; Family violence; Psychological abuse; Restraining orders; Stalkers; Stalking; Stalking victims

Partial Transcript: So, then, um, with your sister, do you want to transition into that?

Segment Synopsis: Riddle then recalls how her sister Peggy Klinke was stalked by an abusive partner, Patrick Kennedy. She talks about the behaviors in a relationship which make the relationship abusive, using her sister’s relationship to draw examples from. She discusses the mindset of her sister and why she stayed in the relationship for years, even though it was an abusive relationship. Riddle recalls the stalking behaviors Kennedy exhibited after her sister left him, including obsessive phone calls and distributing flyers with her full name and cell phone number printed on them.

Keywords: Abusive partners; Domestic violence; Emotional abuse; Relationships; Stalking behaviors

Subjects: Abused women; Family violence; Intimate partner violence; Partners; Stalkers; Stalking; Stalking victims

Partial Transcript: So, Peggy moved out of the city of Albuquerque to Turlock, California and took a job in pharmaceutical sales.

Segment Synopsis: Riddle discusses how her sister was served a protection order from her stalker, Patrick Kennedy, and filing a protection order against him. She talks about how her sister moved from New Mexico to California to avoid her ex-boyfriend. Riddle recalls the various charges and arrests against Patrick Kennedy, including a charge of molesting his daughter, among other offenses.

Keywords: Emergency protective orders; Stalking behaviors; Victims of stalking; Violent stalkers

Subjects: Crime; Criminals; Sex offenders; Stalkers; Stalking; Stalking--Law and legislation; Violent offenders

Partial Transcript: Let’s go back to the wedding, then.

Segment Synopsis: Riddle describes how her sister’s stalker, Patrick Kennedy, spray painted their mother’s house in Ohio and set fire to her brother’s house while he was getting married in Florida. She discusses how Kennedy posed as a police officer to get Klinke’s new California address and attempted to get her new address from Klinke’s attorney. She recalls how Kennedy hired a private investigator to get Klinke’s address, which was ultimately unsuccessful. Riddle describes how Kennedy harassed their mother in order to get information about Klinke.

Keywords: Domestic violence; Stalking charges; Victim impact; Victims of domestic violence; Victims of stalking

Subjects: Abused women; Family violence; Impersonating an officer; Intimate partner violence; Partners; Stalkers; Stalking; Stalking victims

Partial Transcript: So, after that death threat phone call, things become quiet again.

Segment Synopsis: Riddle describes her sister’s mental state during Christmas of 2002. She discusses the emotional toll the stalking behavior of Patrick Kennedy had taken on her. Riddle talks about looking for Kennedy in Ohio during Christmas, as his sister had contacted the family and warned them Kennedy may be in Ohio.

Keywords: Escalating behaviors; Families of stalkers; Stalking behaviors

Subjects: Abused women; Family violence; Intimate partner violence; Stalkers; Stalking; Stalking victims

Partial Transcript: So, now we’re at January 18th, a week--few days before the stalking trial is to happen.

Segment Synopsis: Riddle talks about how Kennedy found her sister, Peggy Klinke, through hiring a private investigator to find her address. She discusses how a United Postal Service delivery man gave Kennedy Klinke’s address. She then recalls the events of Kennedy attacking and eventually murdering her sister.

Keywords: Domestic murders; Domestic violence; Domestic violence victims; Murder-suicide; Murdered women

Subjects: Abused women; Abusive men; Family violence; Intimate partner violence; Murder; Murder victims; Stalkers; Stalking; Uxoricide

Partial Transcript: We had no idea that any of this was happening.

Segment Synopsis: Riddle recalls learning about the murder of her sister on the evening of January 18, 2003. She talks about her reaction to Peggy’s murder and her anger towards the lack of help Peggy was given to protect herself from Patrick Kennedy. She discusses the work her family decided to do in order to protect other women from becoming victims of domestic violence.

Keywords: Domestic murders; Domestic violence; Families of murder victims; Murdered women; Stalking-related deaths; Victims of domestic violence

Subjects: Abused women; Family violence; Intimate partner violence; Murder; Murder victims; Stalkers; Stalking

Partial Transcript: Okay, so, what I’m asking is--what I, I thought I heard you say, and I may be wrong, is that, during some of the harassment, but between the times where she filed the charges and she had a protective order…

Segment Synopsis: Riddle discusses how her sister was left to deal with harassment and her stalker violating her protective order without any protection from law enforcement. She talks about how law enforcement did not properly respond to harassment accusations from Peggy. Riddle also recalls the poor communication among law enforcement which contributed to Peggy’s death.

Keywords: Domestic murders; Families of murder victims; Intimate partner murders; Law enforcement responses; Stalking-related deaths

Subjects: Abused women; Abusive men; Family violence; Intimate partner violence; Murder; Stalkers; Stalking; Stalking--Law and legislation

Partial Transcript: Can you talk a little more about, number one, just, a little bit more about how you feel the criminal justice system failed her, but also how that made her feel, how that made you all feel.

Segment Synopsis: Riddle describes the lengths her sister went to protect herself from her stalker and the difficulties she faced dealing with the criminal justice system. She talks about the complicated aspects of the criminal justice system which discouraged Peggy from pursuing protective orders. She also discusses how the criminal justice system failed to provide Peggy and her family with an advocate to provide victim support until the trial.

Keywords: Criminal justice system failings; Domestic violence; Murder victims; Stalking-related murders

Subjects: Abused women; Abusive men; Family violence; Intimate partner violence; Murder; Stalkers; Stalking

Partial Transcript: Let's, let's change topics a little bit.

Segment Synopsis: Riddle talks about what further changes need to be made to deal with stalking. She discusses how family centers, crisis centers, churches, victim advocates, and law enforcement should collaborate with each other to respond to stalking behaviors. Riddle details how young women and men should be educated on the markers of a healthy relationships.

Keywords: Domestic abuse; Domestic violence; Healthy relationships; Stalking advocacy; Unhealthy relationships; Youth advocacy

Subjects: Abusive men; Abusive women; Awareness; Family violence; Intimate partner violence; Stalkers; Stalking; Stalking--Law and legislation

Partial Transcript: What would you say to the criminal justice system?

Segment Synopsis: Riddle urges the criminal justice system to take stalking seriously and to not minimize stalking behaviors, as that assists the stalker in harassing the victim. She discusses looking at a stalking case as repeated behavior over time. She also urges victims to keep a stalking log to record behavior and build a case against the stalker, particularly with photos and videos. She talks about tools available to the victim, both nationwide and statewide.

Keywords: Assisting victims; Criminal justice system; Law enforcement--Stalking; Minimizing stalking behaviors; Victim advocates

Subjects: Abused women; Abusive men; Awareness; Criminal justice; Intimate partner violence; Stalkers; Stalking; Stalking--Law and legislation; Victims

Partial Transcript: Excellent. Anyone else have questions?

Segment Synopsis: Riddle discusses how she felt unsafe around Patrick Kennedy and was concerned for her children. She talks about keeping them safe, not letting them play outside and warning them to stay away from him. She discusses how the family responded to Kennedy’s escalating behavior over time. Riddle then talks about the similarities and differences between her stalking case and her sister’s stalking case.

Keywords: Domestic violence victims; Families of victims; Siblings of victims; Violent stalkers

Subjects: Abused women; Abusive men; Caller ID telephone service; Family violence; Intimate partner violence; Stalkers; Stalking; Victims

Partial Transcript: I know we're just about out of time but one thing that I just realized thanks to Walter's question...

Segment Synopsis: Riddle talks about her sister before being stalked. She describes her as athletic, social, and a hard worker. She discusses her sister’s bright personality and how it changed over time when she met Patrick Kennedy.

Keywords: Klinke, Peggy; Remembering victims; Sister personalities

Subjects: Families; Sisters; Stalking; Stalking victims; Victims