Macon DA addresses domestic violence after recent murder

Macon Judicial Circuit District Attorney Anita Howard is calling for more to done about domestic violence after a husband shot and killed his wife last Friday.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Macon Judicial Circuit District Attorney Anita Howard is calling for more to done about domestic violence after a husband shot and killed his wife last Friday.

Howard said during a news conference Monday her office was indicting the case, but the suspect, Wayne Fuller Jr., was let out on bond last month. She said the victim, Cotina Fuller, was married to Wayne.

On April 18, Cotina filed a temporary protective order, but Howard said Wayne violated that order on May 6 by going to their home. On May 8, a judge extended the protective order to 12 months. Howard said Cotina requested the protective order be dismissed on June 13, and the judge granted it be dismissed.

A day later, Howard said her office took up the case against Wayne for violating the order and for aggravated stalking. She explained that her office has a 90-day window to indict Wayne before he can be granted bond. On June 20, there was a bond hearing where the judge ultimately granted him bond. According to Howard, there were multiple opportunities for intervention, and Cotina might still be alive if those had been acted upon.

“That’s social workers. That’s attorneys. That’s judges,” Howard said. “That’s anyone that comes in contact with victims of domestic violence with mandatory education hours about domestic violence and the cycle.”

Howard said she’s planning to ask lawmakers to help push through new laws for domestic violence during the legislative session. She’s also encouraging anyone in a domestic violence situation to reach out to the Crisis Line and Safe House of Central Georgia.