I can’t say that all attorneys have cases that become a part of their life DNA, but I have had at least one such case. Recently a series of communications with Christina “Christy” reignited memories of events that centered upon her mother and family 25 years ago. The intervening years may have cast a haze upon my recollections but my emotions remain every bit as raw as they were a quarter of a century ago.

Paula Clouse had been trapped in an incredibly abusive marriage to Larry Clouse for over 20 years. The handwriting had been on the wall from the start when only weeks into the marriage the much older Larry smashed his fist into her jaw for failing to respond quickly enough with the beer he demanded. Paula’s jaw was wired shut in order for the bones to heal.

Paula dropped out of high school to marry Larry. Notwithstanding Larry’s serial abuse, she got her GED, worked to support the family, raised their first child (Chris) who was born early in the marriage, and persevered to complete her college education at CMSU. Two other children were born of the marriage, Derek was four and Christy turned one when Paula received her degree. Paula secured and held a full time position of responsibility with the Bendix Corporation of Kansas City and was the family’s sole wage earner. Larry was unemployed throughout the marriage, his temperament being incompatible with steady employment.

Paula first sought my help in 1992. Son Chris was out of the home and Paula hoped that divorcing Larry might protect the two younger children from further exposure to the emotionally toxic environment. I filed Paula’s Petition for Dissolution of the marriage and initiated the process to have papers served on Larry. Unfortunately, with threats and promises he coerced her into dismissing the Petition. I reluctantly complied with Paula’s decision.

The following year Paula returned to my office, accompanied by her 11 year old daughter Christy. Earlier in the week there had been another episode of violence in the home. Larry had struck Paula down, causing her to crash through a glass coffee table. He then sought to snatch the car keys from her purse and deny her an escape. Little Christy beat him to the purse and as he threatened to strike her she said, “Go ahead and hit me. Tomorrow I’m going to tell my teachers and everyone at school what you did.” With Paula on the floor behind her, the defiant child succeeded in getting Larry to back down. Paula and Christy left. Derek chose to remain with his father. Paula explained that her daughter’s courage convinced her to leave Larry for good. There would be no going back.

I dropped everything that day and prepared a new Petition. I also prepared a motion for emergency protective orders. The documents were filed and served upon Larry along with a notice of the scheduled hearing on the motion for protective orders.

Larry appeared for the hearing along with his attorney and 15 year old son Derek. The matter convened before Judge Jane Pansing Brown and proceeded as a vigorously contested matter. Larry denied the allegations of abuse, but the bruises on Paula’s face and arms told a different story. He sought custody of both Derek and Christy, requesting that Paula be denied access to the children. At the conclusion of the lengthy hearing Paula was granted a protective order and custody of their daughter. Larry was granted supervised visitation with Christy and custody of Derek at the 15 year old’s request. Paula was granted visits with Derek, the first to occur that evening, August 10, 1993.

After the Judge issued her ruling from the bench I spoke with an emotionally drained Paula in a small adjoining conference room. She embraced me and then said that she would be satisfied even if the only thing she accomplished was to free her daughter from the violence. These were to be Paula’s last words ever spoken to me.

That evening Paula took Derek to the Metro North Theater to see “Robin Hood, Men in Tights”. Popcorn in hand, they had just taken their seats to watch the previews of coming attractions. Derek stood, faced his mom, and pulled a handgun from his jeans. He leveled the barrel at Paula and methodically fired six bullets into her. She died at the scene.

Derek was taken into custody. The police investigation resulted in murder charges filed against both Derek and Larry. I was called to testify in Larry’s trial. The evidence established that Larry provided Derek with the firearm and ammunition. He had taken Derek to a remote location to practice killing his mother. Larry placed a target and instructed the 15 year old to shoot and pretend that it was Paula. Larry also told Derek that there would be insurance money from Paula’s death that would make them rich. They would escape to Canada and live in comfort.

Both Larry and Derek were convicted of murder and received life sentences. Larry died of heart failure in prison on December 27, 2016. Derek remains in prison, two applications for parole having been denied. His next eligibility for parole occurs in November 2019.

Christy was placed with caring foster parents. I participated in her later adoption by those folks. Christy went on to college, my wife and I traveled to attend her wedding, and she is the loving mother of a darling little boy. We remain in touch with each other to this day.

Until recently I never fully appreciated the impact that I had as an attorney on the life of that courageous 11 year old girl. Here is what she wrote to me shortly after the 25th anniversary of her mother’s death:

“Pete, as my mom would say about you, “he is a good man.” You truly are. In a time when things she confided in you were the types of things you’d only read about in a murder mystery novel or see in the movies, you believed her. You gave her a voice that she would’ve never had without you. Although she died, her legacy lives on and with it are stories of a silly attorney, full of jokes for a little girl, one who stared in a play (which btw the little girl went on to do theater), one with a PHOTOCOPY MACHINE, who let her photocopy her hand for the very first time! But also a stern attorney who put that little girl in her place a time, ok or maybe two. A hard nosed attorney who fought tooth and nail for that Mom and little girl. And a man that stayed present long after his client was gone, watching out for that little girl, through trials and court proceedings and even by showing up on her wedding day. A man that still today keeps in contact with that little girl. A man that really did hold both of their hands and changed their lives forever. You are always instrumental in this story. You, Pete, are a good man…a great man!”

Paula’s wish, expressed in her last words to me, was granted.

Peace Everyone. Pete

PS. There were other victims of the fallout from Larry’s abuse. Chief among them were Paula’s parents who were good people tortured by what they saw their daughter endure and helpless to intervene. May they also Rest In Peace.

18 thoughts on “Paula Clouse, 9/4/1949-8/10/1993. Courage and Tragedy.

  1. Maxine Harrison says:

    Sending you a massive hug…we all need a champion once in a while and I wish you could have been mine many many years ago but I feel most fortunate to have you both in my life now….

  2. Pauline Schloss says:

    I recall bits of this–especially the shooting in the theater. This story has moved me to tears. I am not the only one. God bless Christy and her family–you, Peter, and your compassion.

  3. Reminds me of the abuse my mother suffered at the hands of my father, I’ll never forget the last time he hit her, She had suffered a stroke and had been in the hospital for weeks, He came over to verbal I and physically abuse her, she was trying to block herself with her Walker, that was also the day I shot him…

  4. Lorraine Carpita says:

    Thank you, Pete, for being there for Paula and Christy through their nightmare and staying by Christy’s side all these years. Yes, back in those days so many people chose to not get involved with spousal abuse and pretended it only happened in movies. Victims of abuse felt alone and abandoned. Your story brought back chilling memories……

  5. As a witness in the cases, and a friend to Derek, before this horrible nightmare, this is something I will never forget. I’m so very glad I was able to use my voice to prove Larry’s manipulation of Derek. I’m so very sorry that Christy had to suffer through all of the horrific things surrounding her mom’s murder. It eases my heart to know that she is doing well and that she had someone who would watch over her as her mother lost her life trying to keep her safe. I’m sure she is watching her from above and proud of the woman she has become.

      • Peggy McDonald says:

        I’m just happy to hear that Christy is doing well and thriving despite the evil she was exposed to for so long. She has been on my mind for many years and so it is great to hear that you have continued to be a constant positive influence in her life.

  6. BLAKE STERZINGER says:

    Thank you for posting this. I’m Blake Sterzinger, the graduate student who apprehended Derek and held him until police arrived. I was aware of a lot of the story but not all of it, and I’ve had sporadic contact with Christy over the years. I’m glad she’s turned out as well as she has. This was a horrible situation.

    • Hi Blake, and thank you so much for your comment. I have been retired now for six years and yet Paula remains as near to my thoughts today as if everything that it occurred were just yesterday.

  7. My dad was friends with Larry. They were big into internet and computer stuff before the internet was incredibly mainstream. We went to their house fairly often for a while. Im sure my dad, being a man of great character, had no idea what was going on and I certainly didn’t as a child of probably 10yo or so. I remember playing 8bit Nintendo games (3D worldrunner specifically) with Derek until the wee hours while our dads nerded out on PC stuff. I remember being absolutely shocked for one of the first times in my life when I was told the news of the tragedy, though it had been a few years since we had seen them. I remember recieving phone calls from prison from Derek a few times while I still lived at home and having no clue what to say or how to handle the situation. It warms my heart to hear that Christy persevered and went on to fulfill herself and seemingly didn’t let this trauma define her. As a husband and father myself now I wish only that i had been able at the time to register and identify any potential signals and intervened. Wishing Christy well!

    • Peggy McDonald says:

      My dad, a Claycomo police officer, had to intervene so he couldn’t call me anymore from jail. I still worry that he will be released and try to find me. I know his dad was the puppeteer but, Derek had many issues and I am honestly worried for my safety if her were to be paroled. Let’s just say he had a very unhealthy obsession.

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