Tale of Two Cities: Toledo woman's neck broken, Angleton woman shoots back
Thomas D. White, 41, of 2548 Parkview Ave., Toledo, was arraigned yesterday after he was accused of severely beating a central-city woman in an assault during which he allegedly bound her hands and feet with duct tape and a coat hanger before dropping her off three miles from where the incident occurred.
The 44-year-old victim suffered two broken hands, a broken jaw, several broken fingers, a broken bone in her neck, and numerous cuts and scratches. She was treated at St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center and is recovering in a convalescent home.
The woman was walking home from a bar about 2 a.m. Jan. 8 when a man offered to give her a ride in the area of Detroit and Belmont avenues. He then asked if she wanted to get a drink. When she agreed, he took her to his apartment.
After the two had a drink, the suspect "just snapped." The man beat the victim with his hands and an unknown heavy object. He also sexually assaulted her.
Police said the suspect then bound and gagged the victim, carried her to his sport utility vehicle, and drove her to Manhattan Boulevard, where he took her earrings and necklace and pushed her out of the SUV. She crawled to a nearby residence and broke a window to seek shelter. The residents untied her, gave her a blanket, and called 911, the sergeant said.
"This was a vicious, brutal attack," Lt. Rick Reed said.
Meanwhile, in a state that allows its law-abiding citizens to carry a handgun for self-defense, this rape victim fought back:
The Chonicle, Houston, TX
After beating and raping an Angleton, Tex., woman, the rapist turned away from his victim, thinking she was unconscious. The woman seized the opportunity to get her handgun and shoot her assailant in the side. He fled, but a suspect was later arrested and charged with aggravated sexual assault.
Commentary by Chad D. Baus:
• Could the lifting of Ohio's unconstitutional ban on carrying a concealed weapon for self-defense have spared this Toledo woman her injuries?
• Did Toledo's ban on the legal purchase or ownership of affordable handguns further prevent this woman from protecting herself?
Contact information for the area's elected officials is provided below:
State House of Representatives
• Rep. Edna Brown (D-48) - consistent anti-CCW voter
Phone: (614) 466-1401
Fax: (614) 644-9494
State Senate
• Sen. Teresa Fedor (D-11) - voted "no" on amended HB274
Phone: (614) 466-5204
Toledo City Council:
• Clerk of Council Michael Beazley
Phone: (419) 245-1060
Fax: (419) 245-1072
Council tied 6-6 on the vote to renew the ban on affordable handgun purchases in Lucas County.
Toledo Mayor's Office:
• Mayor Jack Ford
Phone: (419) 245-1001
Fax: (419) 245-1001
Mayor Ford has announced his opposition to concealed carry reform in Ohio, and broke the tie in city council to uphold the ban on affordable handguns for Toledoans.
- 1614 reads
