A judge gave a Macon man bond despite signs of domestic violence. Then he killed his wife

The man who allegedly killed his wife last week in Macon had repeatedly been accused of domestic violence before the fatal shooting, according to the Bibb County district attorney's office.

Cotina Louise Fuller, 51, was allegedly shot and killed by her 44-year-old husband, Wayne Anthony Fuller Jr. Friday. But statements from District Attorney Anita Howard and court documents show Cotina Fuller's death was preceded by a restraining order, stalking charges, violence and threats. Despite that, Wayne Fuller was granted bond in the months leading up to the shooting despite opposition from prosecutors. Wayne Fuller died by suicide later Friday, according to the Bibb County Sheriff's Office.

Cotina Louise Fuller filed a restraining order against Wayne Fuller Jr. on April 18, District Attorney Anita Howard said in a news conference Monday. In her request for a restraining order, Cotina Fuller alleged Wayne Fuller had punched her, drugged her, burned her and threatened her. These incidents occurred over the course of several years, the petition shows.

Wayne Fuller violated that order on May 6 and was arrested on aggravated stalking charges, according to court records.

Cotina Fuller asked the district attorney's office not to pursue charges against Wayne Fuller, according to an affidavit, but the district attorney's office refused.

Howard said Cotina's request to drop the charges was an example of a "classic textbook domestic violence" cycle.

"The cycle of tension, building violence, reconciliation, calm," Howard said at a press conference Monday. "We must always be talking about that cycle and understand that victims struggle, having their loved ones tied up in the criminal justice system because they have emotions."

Howard refused to drop the charges because "Wayne Fuller posed a danger not only to Cotina Fuller, but to the community," she said.

A judge still granted Wayne Fuller bond during a hearing June 20, letting him leave jail. A court dismissed the restraining order against Wayne Fuller on June 26 despite alleged threats he made toward his wife.

"There was a statement in that action where Ms. Cotina Fuller indicated that Wayne said that 'somebody's life was going to be lost, and it wasn't going to be his,'" Howard said.

Howard didn't want Wayne Fuller to have bond, according to court documents, and Wayne didn't request it. But a judge still approved it.

Violating the restraining order was the only active charge against Wayne Fuller when the shooting happened.

Howard said she is speaking with experts to introduce legislation that would assist victims and educate professionals on cycles of domestic violence.

"Mandatory education hours for all individuals that come in contact with or make decisions about domestic violence cases as part of their job," Howard said. "That's social workers, attorneys, judges, anyone that comes in contact with victims of domestic violence."

Suzanne Walker, director of programs for Crisis Line and Safe House of Central Georgia, said the organization offers free resources to anyone in an abusive relationship including a 24/7 crisis hotline at 478-745-9292, legal services, a confidentially located shelter, sexual assault support and counseling.

"Many victims of abuse feel that they are not listened to anymore, they are not heard...," Walker said. "Leaving an abusive relationship is very dangerous and needs lots of support and guidance."

She urged people who know someone dealing with abuse to "tell them that you believe them, that you support them and you are here to help them."

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a hotline for individuals in crisis or for those who want to help someone else. Call 988 to speak with a trained listener or visit 988lifeline.org for crisis chat services or more information.

Source: https://www.macon.com/news/local/crime/article291196610.html