On the morning of August 15, 2002, 32-year-old Keymhare Germain was shot and killed in her South King County, Washington apartment. Her ex-boyfriend, Richard Saintcalle, forced his way into the home after hours of lurking outside and repeatedly calling. Armed with a shotgun, he shot Germain and also shot their 13-year-old daughter, Elizabeth Germain, who was critically injured and left with permanent disabilities.

Court records describe a long history of domestic violence, including about 30 prior occasions when the daughter witnessed her father assaulting her mother. Saintcalle fled after the shooting, was pursued by police and captured after a crash. He was charged with first-degree murder and attempted murder under a law allowing capital-murder charges for repeat domestic-violence offenders. At trial a brain abnormality defense was presented and rejected by the jury; prosecutors did not seek death. Saintcalle was convicted of aggravated first-degree murder and attempted murder and received life in prison without parole.

Does anyone have information about the period of escalating abuse or the daughter’s long-term care after the attack?