Cleveland Hero Charles Ramsey Lauded as “Definition of Man” Served Time for Domestic Abuse (Facebook)
Is Charles Ramsey, who allegedly rescued the three women held hostage by Ariel Castro, Monday afternoon really the “definition of a man?” After all, like Ariel Castro, he was a domestic abuser. The Smoking Gun reports his rap sheet includes three separate domestic violence convictions that resulted in prison sentences. So, is that really the definition of a man, a repeat wife beater? T-shirts have gone on sale honoring him as “Cleveland’s Hero.” His last arrest was 10 years ago, and he hasn’t reoffended, so shouldn’t he be left alone?
Hodge’s Cleveland, a restaurant in Downtown Cleveland where Ramsey works as a “dish technician,” started selling the T-shirts Wednesday. At Ramsey’s request, all proceeds will go to Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight, the young women he liberated.
Here’s more on Cleveland’s Hero Charles Ramsey:
Ramsey’s first domestic violence charge came in February 1997. He entered a no contest plea a year later and was found guilty of the count by a Cleveland Municipal Court judge. While waiting to be sentenced, Ramsey was again arrested for domestic violence.
At the time of Ramsey’s second collar, in July 1998, he was already the subject of an arrest warrant issued in connection with his failure to appear for a court hearing in the first domestic violence case. As a result, Ramsey was jailed for violating terms of his release on bond. Ramsey subsequently entered a no contest plea to the second case and was, again, found guilty by a Cleveland judge.
The domestic violence cases apparently were consolidated for sentencing in August 1998, when Ramsey was ordered to serve six months in jail, placed on five years probation, and directed to attend a domestic violence counseling program.
Following his release from custody, Ramsey violated probation terms, according to an April 1999 court docket entry. While an arrest warrant was issued for Ramsey, it is unclear from court records whether it was executed before both misdemeanor cases were formally closed several years later.
Ramsey was again busted for domestic abuse in January 2003. He was subsequently indicted for felony “domestic violence with prior conviction,” a reference to his previous abuse cases. Source
Not to rain on Charles Ramsey’s parade, if he truly rescued Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight, all praises to him for doing the right thing. Though there are rumblings that someone else had rescued the women from the house and not Charles Ramsey. Still, to hold him in such high esteem as the “definition of a man” can be considered by some as an affront to every woman, including the three he rescued, who have ever been on the receiving end of domestic violence.
Let me end by saying, if Charles Ramsey has changed, then good for him and I applaud him for refusing any proceeds from his new-found fame. Domestic violence continues to escalate in this country and not every victim is able to leave an abusive relationship — some are killed or maimed in some way. I serve a God of second chances and if he has changed, then we all need to give Charles Ramsey that second chance. I will say, he needs to mend fences with his daughter sooner rather than later. Their relationship is rocky for a reason.
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