Nancy Tyler Asks for Tougher Domestic Violence Laws

Nancy Tyler, a Connecticut lawyer whose ex-husband is accused of holding her hostage, is asking state legislators to get more serious about Connecticut’s domestic violence laws.

Tyler’s estranged husband, Richard Shenkman, is accused of handcuffing her and holding her at gunpoint for almost 12 hours last July in their South Windsor home before setting it on fire.

Tyler was able to escape and Shenkman is now being held without bail and “awaiting trial on allegations he burned down the couple's second home in 2007,” according to the Associated Press.

Now, Tyler is backing a reform package put together by the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence. The package presents the idea of requiring schools to teach teens about domestic violence and also the possibility of adding more domestic violence shelters that offer continuous staffing.

Tyler is “speaking out so she can help others and protect her family,” the Associated Press reports.

See the timeline of the case here.