Beloved mother of Gina, Valentina, John and Kristina Djelaj.
Dear daughter of Kola and Drane Gjolaj.
Loving sister of Leka (Rosalyn) Gjolaj, Dila Gjolaj, Gjusta (Tony) Gorvokaj, Tereze Djolaj, Toma (Ann) Gjolaj and Nore Gjolaj.
Dear Aunt, Niece and cousin to the entire Gjolaj family.
~Victim Sought Protection~
~Judge denied request; police say husband then killed wife~
PUBLISHED: Friday, March 21, 2008
By Frank DeFrank
Macomb Daily Staff Writer
A woman shot and killed by her husband in the parking lot of a Shelby Township church had unsuccessfully sought a personal protection order just nine days before she was killed because, she told court officials, "I'm afraid he's going to kill me."
Maria Djelaj, 38, was shot to death Wednesday in what Shelby Township police have determined was a murder-suicide. Djelaj's accused killer, her estranged husband, Djerdj Djelaj, 47, took his own life. The couple were in the process of a divorce, and Djelaj previously had been acquitted during a court trial on a domestic violence-related charge.
"I'm afraid he is going to kill me," Maria wrote in her petition for a personal protection order, filed March 10, 2008 in Macomb County Circuit Court.
Maria also highlighted other occasions during which her husband "beat" and "threatened" her.
The petition was for an "ex parte" order, meaning it would have to be granted without the knowledge of Maria's husband. According to court records, Judge Antonio Viviano denied the request because, "The allegations in the petition do not provide reasonable cause to believe immediate and irreparable injury will occur if an ex parte order is issued without a hearing."
Viviano also advised the woman she could request a hearing for a protection order within 21 days.
The request for a protection order wasn't the first time the couple's rocky marriage wound up in court. Djelaj was acquitted on a domestic violence charge earlier this year in Shelby Township's 41A District Court, said Phil Frame, a spokesman for Macomb County.
About 7:40 p.m. Wednesday, Shelby Township police Chief Robert Leman said a man telephoned Shelby Township to report his brother was about to kill his wife and himself. When police responded and found the couple in a minivan, she was dead and he was mortally wounded. Djelaj died later after emergency personnel transported him to a hospital.
"(The caller said) his brother had either killed or was going to kill his wife and himself," Leman said.
The brother told police Djelaj was near a church in the vicinity of 21 Mile Road and Patterson. Officers were dispatched to St. Therese of Lisieux Catholic Church, located along Schoenherr Road near Patterson Street.
"We put two and two together and responded there," Leman said.
When officers arrived, they found a minivan in a back section of the church parking lot. Inside, officers found the deceased woman and the wounded man.
Following additional conversations with family members, Leman said he learned Djelaj and his wife were Shelby Township residents, but had separated. The couple, married in 1986, had four children.
The chief also said officers were called to the couple's home on a domestic violence call at least once in 2007.
"They had some domestic problems," Leman said.
Djelaj's choice to pull into the parking lot at St. Therese of Lisieux may not have been coincidental. Leman said the couple, although not members, had attended the church on occasion.
Linda Maccarone, church administrator, arrived at St. Lisieux shortly after police were summoned. She said initial media reports that a service was in progress and interrupted by the shootings were inaccurate.
"There were people in the church," said Maccarone. "There was a meeting going on … But nobody really heard anything."
Maccarone also said a funeral for Maria Djelaj is scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday at the church.
Dear daughter of Kola and Drane Gjolaj.
Loving sister of Leka (Rosalyn) Gjolaj, Dila Gjolaj, Gjusta (Tony) Gorvokaj, Tereze Djolaj, Toma (Ann) Gjolaj and Nore Gjolaj.
Dear Aunt, Niece and cousin to the entire Gjolaj family.
~Victim Sought Protection~
~Judge denied request; police say husband then killed wife~
PUBLISHED: Friday, March 21, 2008
By Frank DeFrank
Macomb Daily Staff Writer
A woman shot and killed by her husband in the parking lot of a Shelby Township church had unsuccessfully sought a personal protection order just nine days before she was killed because, she told court officials, "I'm afraid he's going to kill me."
Maria Djelaj, 38, was shot to death Wednesday in what Shelby Township police have determined was a murder-suicide. Djelaj's accused killer, her estranged husband, Djerdj Djelaj, 47, took his own life. The couple were in the process of a divorce, and Djelaj previously had been acquitted during a court trial on a domestic violence-related charge.
"I'm afraid he is going to kill me," Maria wrote in her petition for a personal protection order, filed March 10, 2008 in Macomb County Circuit Court.
Maria also highlighted other occasions during which her husband "beat" and "threatened" her.
The petition was for an "ex parte" order, meaning it would have to be granted without the knowledge of Maria's husband. According to court records, Judge Antonio Viviano denied the request because, "The allegations in the petition do not provide reasonable cause to believe immediate and irreparable injury will occur if an ex parte order is issued without a hearing."
Viviano also advised the woman she could request a hearing for a protection order within 21 days.
The request for a protection order wasn't the first time the couple's rocky marriage wound up in court. Djelaj was acquitted on a domestic violence charge earlier this year in Shelby Township's 41A District Court, said Phil Frame, a spokesman for Macomb County.
About 7:40 p.m. Wednesday, Shelby Township police Chief Robert Leman said a man telephoned Shelby Township to report his brother was about to kill his wife and himself. When police responded and found the couple in a minivan, she was dead and he was mortally wounded. Djelaj died later after emergency personnel transported him to a hospital.
"(The caller said) his brother had either killed or was going to kill his wife and himself," Leman said.
The brother told police Djelaj was near a church in the vicinity of 21 Mile Road and Patterson. Officers were dispatched to St. Therese of Lisieux Catholic Church, located along Schoenherr Road near Patterson Street.
"We put two and two together and responded there," Leman said.
When officers arrived, they found a minivan in a back section of the church parking lot. Inside, officers found the deceased woman and the wounded man.
Following additional conversations with family members, Leman said he learned Djelaj and his wife were Shelby Township residents, but had separated. The couple, married in 1986, had four children.
The chief also said officers were called to the couple's home on a domestic violence call at least once in 2007.
"They had some domestic problems," Leman said.
Djelaj's choice to pull into the parking lot at St. Therese of Lisieux may not have been coincidental. Leman said the couple, although not members, had attended the church on occasion.
Linda Maccarone, church administrator, arrived at St. Lisieux shortly after police were summoned. She said initial media reports that a service was in progress and interrupted by the shootings were inaccurate.
"There were people in the church," said Maccarone. "There was a meeting going on … But nobody really heard anything."
Maccarone also said a funeral for Maria Djelaj is scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday at the church.
Beloved mother of Gina, Valentina, John and Kristina Djelaj.
Dear daughter of Kola and Drane Gjolaj.
Loving sister of Leka (Rosalyn) Gjolaj, Dila Gjolaj, Gjusta (Tony) Gorvokaj, Tereze Djolaj, Toma (Ann) Gjolaj and Nore Gjolaj.
Dear Aunt, Niece and cousin to the entire Gjolaj family.
~Victim Sought Protection~
~Judge denied request; police say husband then killed wife~
PUBLISHED: Friday, March 21, 2008
By Frank DeFrank
Macomb Daily Staff Writer
A woman shot and killed by her husband in the parking lot of a Shelby Township church had unsuccessfully sought a personal protection order just nine days before she was killed because, she told court officials, "I'm afraid he's going to kill me."
Maria Djelaj, 38, was shot to death Wednesday in what Shelby Township police have determined was a murder-suicide. Djelaj's accused killer, her estranged husband, Djerdj Djelaj, 47, took his own life. The couple were in the process of a divorce, and Djelaj previously had been acquitted during a court trial on a domestic violence-related charge.
"I'm afraid he is going to kill me," Maria wrote in her petition for a personal protection order, filed March 10, 2008 in Macomb County Circuit Court.
Maria also highlighted other occasions during which her husband "beat" and "threatened" her.
The petition was for an "ex parte" order, meaning it would have to be granted without the knowledge of Maria's husband. According to court records, Judge Antonio Viviano denied the request because, "The allegations in the petition do not provide reasonable cause to believe immediate and irreparable injury will occur if an ex parte order is issued without a hearing."
Viviano also advised the woman she could request a hearing for a protection order within 21 days.
The request for a protection order wasn't the first time the couple's rocky marriage wound up in court. Djelaj was acquitted on a domestic violence charge earlier this year in Shelby Township's 41A District Court, said Phil Frame, a spokesman for Macomb County.
About 7:40 p.m. Wednesday, Shelby Township police Chief Robert Leman said a man telephoned Shelby Township to report his brother was about to kill his wife and himself. When police responded and found the couple in a minivan, she was dead and he was mortally wounded. Djelaj died later after emergency personnel transported him to a hospital.
"(The caller said) his brother had either killed or was going to kill his wife and himself," Leman said.
The brother told police Djelaj was near a church in the vicinity of 21 Mile Road and Patterson. Officers were dispatched to St. Therese of Lisieux Catholic Church, located along Schoenherr Road near Patterson Street.
"We put two and two together and responded there," Leman said.
When officers arrived, they found a minivan in a back section of the church parking lot. Inside, officers found the deceased woman and the wounded man.
Following additional conversations with family members, Leman said he learned Djelaj and his wife were Shelby Township residents, but had separated. The couple, married in 1986, had four children.
The chief also said officers were called to the couple's home on a domestic violence call at least once in 2007.
"They had some domestic problems," Leman said.
Djelaj's choice to pull into the parking lot at St. Therese of Lisieux may not have been coincidental. Leman said the couple, although not members, had attended the church on occasion.
Linda Maccarone, church administrator, arrived at St. Lisieux shortly after police were summoned. She said initial media reports that a service was in progress and interrupted by the shootings were inaccurate.
"There were people in the church," said Maccarone. "There was a meeting going on … But nobody really heard anything."
Maccarone also said a funeral for Maria Djelaj is scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday at the church.
Dear daughter of Kola and Drane Gjolaj.
Loving sister of Leka (Rosalyn) Gjolaj, Dila Gjolaj, Gjusta (Tony) Gorvokaj, Tereze Djolaj, Toma (Ann) Gjolaj and Nore Gjolaj.
Dear Aunt, Niece and cousin to the entire Gjolaj family.
~Victim Sought Protection~
~Judge denied request; police say husband then killed wife~
PUBLISHED: Friday, March 21, 2008
By Frank DeFrank
Macomb Daily Staff Writer
A woman shot and killed by her husband in the parking lot of a Shelby Township church had unsuccessfully sought a personal protection order just nine days before she was killed because, she told court officials, "I'm afraid he's going to kill me."
Maria Djelaj, 38, was shot to death Wednesday in what Shelby Township police have determined was a murder-suicide. Djelaj's accused killer, her estranged husband, Djerdj Djelaj, 47, took his own life. The couple were in the process of a divorce, and Djelaj previously had been acquitted during a court trial on a domestic violence-related charge.
"I'm afraid he is going to kill me," Maria wrote in her petition for a personal protection order, filed March 10, 2008 in Macomb County Circuit Court.
Maria also highlighted other occasions during which her husband "beat" and "threatened" her.
The petition was for an "ex parte" order, meaning it would have to be granted without the knowledge of Maria's husband. According to court records, Judge Antonio Viviano denied the request because, "The allegations in the petition do not provide reasonable cause to believe immediate and irreparable injury will occur if an ex parte order is issued without a hearing."
Viviano also advised the woman she could request a hearing for a protection order within 21 days.
The request for a protection order wasn't the first time the couple's rocky marriage wound up in court. Djelaj was acquitted on a domestic violence charge earlier this year in Shelby Township's 41A District Court, said Phil Frame, a spokesman for Macomb County.
About 7:40 p.m. Wednesday, Shelby Township police Chief Robert Leman said a man telephoned Shelby Township to report his brother was about to kill his wife and himself. When police responded and found the couple in a minivan, she was dead and he was mortally wounded. Djelaj died later after emergency personnel transported him to a hospital.
"(The caller said) his brother had either killed or was going to kill his wife and himself," Leman said.
The brother told police Djelaj was near a church in the vicinity of 21 Mile Road and Patterson. Officers were dispatched to St. Therese of Lisieux Catholic Church, located along Schoenherr Road near Patterson Street.
"We put two and two together and responded there," Leman said.
When officers arrived, they found a minivan in a back section of the church parking lot. Inside, officers found the deceased woman and the wounded man.
Following additional conversations with family members, Leman said he learned Djelaj and his wife were Shelby Township residents, but had separated. The couple, married in 1986, had four children.
The chief also said officers were called to the couple's home on a domestic violence call at least once in 2007.
"They had some domestic problems," Leman said.
Djelaj's choice to pull into the parking lot at St. Therese of Lisieux may not have been coincidental. Leman said the couple, although not members, had attended the church on occasion.
Linda Maccarone, church administrator, arrived at St. Lisieux shortly after police were summoned. She said initial media reports that a service was in progress and interrupted by the shootings were inaccurate.
"There were people in the church," said Maccarone. "There was a meeting going on … But nobody really heard anything."
Maccarone also said a funeral for Maria Djelaj is scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday at the church.
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