Mother of slain Clovis woman makes plea against domestic violence. DA has message, too

In the month of October, both Fresno and Clovis experienced incidences of domestic violence that resulted in death; a statistic that local law enforcement agencies said shows the severity of domestic violence in the region.

In Fresno, the body of 36-year old Crystal Nelson was found just before midnight in a motel on Blackstone Avenue. Police believe she was shot to death by a man with whom she had a brief romantic relationship.

In the Clovis incident, Anna Richards-Anderson, a 38-year old preschool teacher, was allegedly shot by her estranged husband who later killed himself.

During a news conference on Tuesday, Clovis Police Chief Curt Fleming joined Fresno Police Chief Paco Balderrama, Fresno County District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office and Marjaree Mason Center executive director Nicole Linder to talk about the issue of domestic violence in the community and remind the public of the resources available to those in need.

Richards-Anderson’s mother, Eleanor Richards, also spoke at the event.

She recalled hearing a loud knock on the door the night of her daughter’s death, thinking it was her daughter and wondering why she didn’t use her key. She remembered her 8-year-old grandson telling her his mother had been shot and was dead. One of the first things he asked was, “Can you be my mom now?”

Richards is now raising the boy.

“I am out here today to bring awareness to others that are victims of domestic violence, and to encourage them, as Anna did, to come to the Marjaree Mason (Center), to get help through the court system, through the local police. They are your friends. They are going to help you,” she says.

“And I want to honor my daughter’s memory in that way.”

District Attorney Smittcamp said Richards-Anderson’s story is not uncommon in Fresno County.

“Domestic violence is a cancer that is plaguing our community and it has been worsened by the pandemic.”

During the new conference, she made a plea directly to the offenders, something she said she’s never done in her 25-year career.

“If you know you are a person with unhealthy tendencies, get yourself help, because there is a tremendous amount of resources available. Free mental health counseling through the county, many non-profit agencies, doctors, any type of mental health therapy, any kind of assistance you can get, because you know who you are. There is no good end to the cycle of violence,” Smittcamp said.

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.