One year after Milford mother’s death at hands of ex-boyfriend, CT makes changes to domestic violence system

MILFORD, CT (WFSB) - Gerald Minogue said the night of his daughter Julie’s death will always be front and center in his mind.

He hopes it also stays in the minds of those who can continue to improve the way domestic violence cases are handled.

“Clearly she was taken away from us way too young. Way too young, she had a lot more life to live,” says Minogue.

Minogue wishes he could have watched his 40-year-old daughter continue to live her life the way she always had.

A devoted mother of three, “everything she did, she did for her kids.”

Minogue says his daughter was kind and generous, and never deserved what happened to her last December 6th.

“My daughter, I should say, encountered evil. Okay. A monster as I’ll call him,” says Minogue.

Police say Minogue’s ex-boyfriend Ewen Dewitt murdered her with an ax.

The couple’s 3 year old child was in the home, along with Minogue’s 17 year old son.

At the time of her murder, Minogue had a protective order (since 2021) and restraining order against Dewitt.

“It appears to me she did the types of things that you would expect someone to do in the same situation,” says Minogue.

Just weeks before her death, on November 14, Dewitt violated that order when he harassed her, sending her more than 200 text messages.

On November 18, four days later, Officer Scott Knablin finished an arrest warrant application for Dewitt.

Three days later, on November 21, the state’s attorney sent it back to the officer saying there was not enough information.

The arrest warrant was completed on December 14, eight days after Minogue was murdered.

An internal investigation into Officer Knablin’s actions was initiated. Knalbin resigned earlier this year.

Minogue’s family previously announced an intent to sue the city and police for not preventing her death.

“No tragedy should ever come close to what we’ve encountered with my daughter,” says Minogue.

Despite the tragedy, Minogue says Julie’s death has brought change to Connecticut.

In this year’s legislative session, lawmakers voted to expand the state’s GPS alert system where high-risk offenders accused of violating a protective or restraining order are assigned to wear a GPS monitor if they meet pre-trial criteria.

“It helps keep track of where the offender is, so that both the victim can know that and the judicial and law enforcement can know where the offender is, so that if they are coming close to violating the protective orders that’s in place, action can be taken quickly,” says State Senator Mae Flexer.

A victim can choose whether to get alerts as well, but law enforcement will always be notified immediately if an offender enters a perimeter the judge says they are not allowed to be in.

State Senator Mae Flexer is co-chair of the state’s Family Domestic Violence Criminal Justice Response and Enhancement Advisory Council.

She says that while the expansion is long overdue, more can be done.

“How can we work together to make sure there isn’t a gap in the system?,” says Flexer. “Whatever gaps exist, don’t make it so a person walks away from getting help.”

Minogue just hopes his daughter’s story can save someone else’s life.

“It’s beyond comprehension when I stop and think of what she went through those last 5 minutes of her life,” says Minogue. “That should never happen to another person again, anything close to resembling that.”

We recently requested the Milford Police’s Department investigation into the officer accused of failing to properly handle Dewitt’s warrant.

We’re told it is not complete yet.

Dewitt is due back in court in January.

Connecticut has a 24/7 domestic violence hotline at 860-838-8467 and Safe Connect is available 24/7.

They provide help with crisis intervention, counseling, housing and navigating the court system.

For more information about Safe Connect, CLICK HERE.