Woman found in car had been violence victim

Aug. 3, 2007

By Hannah Guillaume/Frontiersman

PALMER - A history of domestic violence surrounds a Wasilla man and the woman found dead in a car following a police persuit, court records show.

Frank Adams, 45, was reportedly driving drunk a red Suzuki hatchback July 28 and fled Palmer Police to the North Birchwood Exit on the Glenn Highway, said Megan Peters, Alaska State Troopers spokeswoman. Neither Adams nor anyone else have yet been charged with killing the woman.

&#8220If we give away our hand, a potential killer could walk,” Peters said. &#8220There is always the possibility that it could be someone else.”

Lt. Remaley of the Palmer Police Department said the pursuit was at relatively normal speeds until it reached the Palmer Hay Flats where speeds increased to about 90 miles per hour. Troopers and Anchorage Police flattened Adams' tires, causing him to drive into a median and stop. During the arrest on July 28, the body of Stacey Johnston, 42, was discovered in the main area of the car.

Court records show Johnston filed a protective order against Adams on May 12 and filed for a protective order against another man in December. Johnston also had multiple domestic violence charges filed against her by other men in 2002 and 2003. Men who have filed domestic violence charges against Johnston did not return phone calls and live throughout the state and possibly Lower 48.

Adams also filed for a protective order against another woman in 1994, who did not return phone calls.

Peters said a suspect's, or suspects', names are not being released, nor the identity of the car's registered owner. Anita Shell, spokeswoman for Anchorage Police, said the car Adams was driving isn't registered in his name.

&#8220We want to have our ducks in a row before we charge someone,” Peters added.

Troopers are holding off on charging anyone with the cause of death, which hasn't been released, in order to gather evidence. The condition of Johnston's body is also being withheld.

&#8220We know the cause of death, but we feel it is critical knowledge to the case,” Peters said, adding information on Johnston's hometown remains unknown. &#8220She hadn't claimed anything as her town of residence.”

If Adams is a suspect, troopers do not need to charge him to help prevent him from fleeing Anchorage. Adams is in jail and requires a $25,000 cash bail for release.

He faces charges for failing to stop at the direction of an officer, resisting or interfering with an arrest - by force - reckless driving and DUI.

Although Adams and Johnston have a history of domestic violence, investigators haven't said whether domestic violence is believed to have played a role in Johnston's death.

Donn Bennis, chief executive officer of Alaska Family Services Center in Palmer, said women and children experiencing domestic violence often experience it with multiple partners and during multiple episodes.

&#8220Many times it's a gradual thing. It's something that starts very slowly and builds overtime,” he said. &#8220It's not just about domestic violence.”

Bennis said finances, physical and mental health often have an effect on a woman's ability to leave, adding that leaving is the most dangerous time for anyone experiencing domestic violence. The family center provides a safe environment for women, including trooper transport to respite homes, counseling and guidance through the legal process.

The family center offers several programs, including several on parenting and nutrition throughout the year, Bennis said. Anyone trying to get to safety should call the crisis hotline at 746-4080, at any time, day or night.

Spotting domestic violence can be tricky, Bennis said.

In the beginning of a relationship, people find it flattering that their new partner calls all the time and wants to be near them constantly, he said. When this continues for an extended period of time and the controlling partner constantly needs to know where their significant other is and what they're doing, it's a sign of an unhealthy relationship.

To stay safe with an order of protection, he said women and children in the Valley can come back to the center at anytime. Anyone experiencing domestic violence needs to find a support system of family and friends. Staying in touch with law enforcement also helps.

According to court records, Adams broke Johnston's order of protection about a month before her body turned up in the car he was driving.

Bennis noted that the family center only serves women and children. There are no protective services for men experiencing domestic violence in the Valley.

Katie TePas, a program coordinator for troopers, said Alaska courts issue protective orders to victims regardless of gender and mandatory arrest statutes don't differ based on gender.

Spotting domestic violence can be tricky at first, because it's about power and control. TePas said people experiencing domestic violence are not alone.

&#8220It's sadly and tragically a common criminal justice problem,” she said. &#8220There are resources out there for them.”

At about 2 a.m. Monday morning in Wasilla, Matthew Robinette, 21, of Wasilla was arrested for violating a protective order along with multiple other charges after he entered a home of a person who filed for a restraining order against him, according to trooper reports.

Robinette caused $45 in damage to the residence and took the telephone from the person who filed the order when that person tried to call police, according to reports. He was arrested and transported to Mat-Su Pre Trial facility where he was jailed without bail.

Contact Hannah Guillaume at 352-2284 or hannahguillaume@yahoo.com.