A Florida judge is being asked to resign after denying a woman’s protective order against her ex-boyfriend, two days before he killed her last week.
Audrey Peterson, 61, was fatally shot by her ex-boyfriend, 71-year-old Francis Scoza, on Feb. 9 while she was running towards a neighbor’s home looking help, FOX affiliate WTVT reported , citing Clearwater police.
According to the outlet, Peterson and Scoza were in a long-term relationship that ended recently. It’s unclear exactly when the relationship ended.
Audrey Peterson via Facebook
Police said Scoza forced his way into Peterson’s home through the back and fired at her while she was fleeing. According to WTVT, Peterson was shot multiple times and collapsed in front of the neighbor’s home. Scoza then turned the gun on himself.
Court records reviewed by HuffPost show Peterson filed a domestic injunction against Scoza two days before he attacked her, accusing him of stalking.
Peterson’s case included a petition seeking protection from Scoza, but her temporary protection was denied by Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Judge Doneene Loar, according to court documents obtained by HuffPost.