Bush Deputy Counsel Charged with Attempted Murder

[SOS]

From the NYT, January 9, 2009:

"By all appearances, John Michael Farren and his wife, Mary Margaret Farren, had the life many can only dream about: a $4 million house in an affluent Connecticut suburb; two daughters; and high-powered legal careers, hers in the energy practice of Skadden, Arps, and his as a top aide in three Republican administrations along with a stint as general counsel of Xerox.

But that facade shattered this week, shortly after Mrs. Farren had her husband served with divorce papers on Monday. By Thursday, their stately house in New Canaan had become a bloody crime scene, Mrs. Farren was hospitalized with a broken jaw, nose and other injuries, and Mr. Farren had been charged in Norwalk Superior Court with attempted murder.
In affidavits, the New Canaan police said the episode unfolded in the couple’s bedroom on Wednesday night. Mr. Farren, who had last served as the deputy counsel in the White House under President George W. Bush, exploded in rage after Mrs. Farren would not rethink the divorce, the police said.

According to the affidavits, Mrs. Farren told the police that her husband pulled out “gobs” of her hair, threw her to the floor and hit her repeatedly with a metal flashlight, until she passed out. She said he also choked her with his hands and threatened to hurt himself.
Shouting, “Daddy’s trying to kill me,” she said, she fled the house with their daughters, a 7-year-old and a 4-month-old."

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/09/nyregion/09bush.html

[zanana1]

1. That's really horrible.

I read somewhere that American women are safer on the streets than in their own homes. (Sorry I don't have the source of this info. I read it a few years back).

[AndyA]

2. Republican family values.

Poor woman and kids. The guy sounds like he has some serious anger management issues, and needs help. The 4 month old won't remember this, but the 7 year old will.

How fitting this idiot was in Bush's Administration. Lots of issues with the people in that group.

[progressivebydesign]

3. This is horrific.

The comment from the neighbors that they "kept to themselves" really sets off an alarm that there was something wrong there. Apparently he'd hit her before, but was heavy into emotional abuse. Glad that she got out in time before he killed her. But her life will forever be changed, because a person like that does not go away quietly. And the poor children that witnessed it... what is it with the angry and violent spouses lately? No doubt it was about control, but usually with guys like that it's about money and reputation. Too bad he didn't off himself before the police got there, then his family could start over without wondering if he's coming after them.

[jaysunb]

4. 4 month old ????

Wow ! things have gone downhill rather fast. :shrug:


Published: May 4, 1997

Margaret Scharf, an associate at Steptoe & Johnson, the Washington law firm, was married yesterday to J. Michael Farren, the Xerox Corporation's corporate vice president in charge of government relations, also in Washington. The Rev. Michael J. O'Sullivan, a Roman Catholic priest, performed the ceremony at St. Peter's Church in Washington.

Mrs. Farren, 31, graduated from Lehigh University and received a law degree from the University of Connecticut. She is the daughter of Rosemary and William Scharf of Schnecksville, Pa. The bride's father is the president of Greenfield Associates, a management consulting firm in Allentown, Pa. Her mother is a nurse for the Allentown School District.

Mr. Farren, 44, was from 1989 to 1992 the Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade. He graduated from Fairfield University and received a master's degree in public policy analysis from Trinity College in Hartford and a law degree from the University of Connecticut. He is a son of Elizabeth Farren of West Hartford, Conn., and the late Joseph Farren. The bridegroom's father was the captain of the Naugatuck (Conn.) police force.