was an LDS church member in Santa Rosa, California; accused of sexually and physically abusing his wife; in 1975 was murdered by his wife when she said needed the abuse to stop

Case report

Richard Cole was a mormon in Santa Rosa, California.  Joan Cole, Richards wife, claimed that Richard Cole beat her several times a week and raped her.    His victim grew tired of his abuse and threats against taking her children and never allowing her to see them again and she shot and killed Richard.  The judge called Richard’s behavior “bizarre”.  Joan was sentenced to 1 year prison and 5 years probation.

 

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Case information sources

  1. Joan Cole Draws Prison Sentence
    view source details | 8 Jun 1976 | Petaluma Argus-Courier
  2. Joan Cole is Sentenced to Term in State Prison
    view source details | 8 Jun 1976 | Petaluma Argus-Courier

Case information source details

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FLOODLIT.org has a free public database of hundreds of reports about people who committed or allegedly committed sex crimes, including sexual abuse, while they were active Mormon church members. You can browse the entire database in all sorts of ways, including by LDS church position, number of victims, places where crimes took place, or criminal/civil case result.

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International map of locations where active members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints perpetrated or allegedly perpetrated sexual abuse or other sex crimes, or where LDS leaders failed or allegedly failed to help abuse survivors.

 

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