Dial 911 and Die

Ruth had called the city police at least 20 times in a year, reporting her estranged husband Mack's violent attacks on her and her two daughters. Mack had even been arrested once for an assault. One September day Mack told Ruth he was coming over to kill her. She called the police, but they refused to come. They told her to call back when Mack had arrived. Mack stabbed Ruth to death less than an hour later. Was the city police department liable for failing to protect Ruth? Check out the chapter on California. Just before dawn two men broke down the back door of a three story home shared by three women and a child. On the second floor, one woman was sexually attacked. Her housemates heard her screams and called the police. Their first call to police got assigned a second-level priority and the responding officers did just a quick check and left. The women's second frantic call got a promise of help ... but no officers were even dispatched. The attackers kidnapped, robbed, raped, and beat all three women for 14 hours. When later the women sued the city for negligence, did they get their day in court? Check out the chapter on the District of Columbia.