The Murder of Jeffrey Dryden: The Grim Truth Surrounding Male Domestic Abuse

by Troy Veenstra

  The first step we use is one that includes the visual history and scene, such as where the body was found, the manner in which the body rested, the debris around the body, and so forth. In the second step, we look at the external view. This is where we take a look at the body, cutting away the clothing, weighing the body, and make notations to its condition. Such as bruising, cuts, scraps, open wounds and so on.” he said, taking a breath before continuing.

  “After making all the noticeable abrasions on the exterior of the body, we proceed to the final step by opening the body up and viewing the internal damage, thus coming to the ultimate cause of death.” He said.

  “I see,” the Prosecution said, “and in this case how did you proceed?” He asked, “In this case the first step was pretty much straight forward.” He stated, “I first began by reading the reports made by the police officers and detectives that investigated the crime scene. I reviewed the photos of the body taken at the scene, and of the area where the victim was found and how he rested when he was pronounced deceased, after taking in all of this information I proceeded to the external step.”

  “What were your findings on the externals?” the Prosecution asked, “In the external step,” The ME stated as he referred back to his notes in a manila folder. “The victim was clad in status, (dressed and clothed) he was 5’ 10” in height, had a body weight of 113 lbs. (extreme blood loss) and was a 28 year-old white male.” He stated. “I see,” the Prosecution interrupted, “Please continue sir,” he said.

  “The left collar of his shirt around the left neck had a knife wound on the clothing; the lower section of the shirt was cut away in a diagonal crosscut, presumed to be made by the paramedics that arrived on scene to attach the AED (Automated Electronic Defibrillator) to the victim.” He said as he flipped through the pages of his own report before going on, “There was a major ‘defect’ visible to the upper left side of the neck; there was an extreme amount of blood both saturated on the clothing and skin as well as blunt marks and lacerations marks on the body.”

  “For clarification,” the Prosecution intervened, “Could you describe what you consider ‘blunt’ marks first and then ‘laceration’ marks on the body?” he asked. “Of course,” the ME stated, flipping through his notes before continuing.

  “In the field we describe ‘blunt’ marks as such things as bites, scratches and so on, anything that does not fully penetrate the internals of the body.” He stated, “Whereas lacerations as marks that cut through the skin and into or across the external organs,” he said.

  “First as for blunt marks on the victim’s body we found bite marks and scratches from fingernails on the left nose, bite and scratches on the lower left area just above the left eye. Bite mark on right side of the face near the right eye. The linear area of the neck, the left side of neck also had scratches across the neck from fingernails brazening across the neck in a ‘V’ like formation.” He paused taking a deep breath before continuing, “The right chest also had a bite mark, this one detracted and used with more force (digging through the flesh and into the muscle). There was also a bite mark on the right hip and the left lower back, the right knee, the left toe and left outer hand.” He paused again, “there was also a ¾ inch scratch by fingernails on the left bicep. Furthermore, the blunt force trauma previously stated did not have time to begin the healing process and thus occurred moments to a few hours prior to the victim’s death.” He stated.

  (Note that the Mayo Clinic defines signs of abuse on a man by a woman as, “hitting, kicking, slapping, scratching, choking, biting and/or anything else that hurts you in a physical way,” (Staff, 2011).

  “And for lacerations to the victim’s body, what if any, lacerations did you find?” the Prosecution asked. “As for lacerations to the victim’s body,” the ME stated as he looked back to his notes. “I found one laceration on the left side of victims neck 1 ½ inches in width by a single edged blade that pierced 2 to 3 inches into neck,” (Prosecution entered into evidence a photo marked exhibit 2, a picture of the injury and was asked to describe this laceration in greater detail).

  “As you can see in the photo,” the ME stated, trying his best not to show the detail of carnage within the image to Paula or our family as he held it out toward the judge and Prosecution. “The blade cut through the left internal vein, or rather the jugular. The blade continued through the jugular, cutting into the cartilage of the thyroid and Adams apple, and ended into his throat.”

  The ME paused, placing the photo upside down, as he used his hands and his own neck as exampled before continuing with his testimony. “The blade cut through the neck on a steep inward thrust moving in slight left to right angle as it traveled through the neck, it was this laceration that was the cause of death, there were no other injuries on the body present.” He added.

  “I see,” the Prosecution said as he took the photo from the witness and showed it to Judge Timmers before walking back toward the witness. “Did you do any tests on the body?” he asked. “Yes, of course, as is standard for a situation as this case” the ME responded.

  “What test did you perform?” The Prosecution asked. “We conducted a toxicology screening, drawing from the blood, urine and eye fluid of the victim’s body.” He stated.

  “And according to the results of the test, did the victim have any alcohol in his system prior to his death?” the Prosecution asked. “No sir, there was no alcohol in the victim’s body prior to his death,” the ME stated as a few of Fizer’s supporters gasped to the statement.

  As you can probably detect already, this statement and its findings were key to the defendant’s case, as you may recall several times in previous chapters, stated by the Fizer, and reported by the mass media at that time that it was alleged that Jeff had been drinking.

  In fact, according to Fizer’s statement to the police, as well made to several neighbors, she alleged that Jeff had been drunk and that his intoxication lead to him picking up the knife, which oddly she also stated she didn’t have when her own recorded words stated otherwise.

  “Was there anything else in the victims system prior to his death?” the Prosecution asked, “yes sir, he did have levels of Nicotine, Niacin and marijuana in his system prior to death.” The ME stated. “And could any of these have assisted in any way to his death?” he asked. “No sir, none of these contributed or caused the victims death.” The ME stated. “In your professional medical opinion then, what was the ultimate cause of death?” The Prosecution asked as he looked away from the ME and towards Fizer who continued to keep her eyes on the tabletop in front of her. “The cause of death to this victim was Homicide due to being stabbed in the neck,” the ME stated.

  “I see,” the Prosecution, stated, “Now in your opinion could this stabbing have been self-inflicted?” he asked. “In my medical opinion, no this was not a self-inflicted wound,” he said, pausing before he continued to explain further. “Hypothetically, given the way that the knife entered through the body, the degree of the entry of the knife, the path of the blade is insufficient with what I have seen in a self-inflicted stabbing, and thus, in my experience of over 28 years, self-infliction is ruled out.” He stated.

  “Now sir,” the Prosecution said, “you have heard what the Defendant stated to detective Pols when she was asked how the knife ended up in Jeff’s neck, correct?” he asked, “yes I have,” The ME stated. “Hypothetically speaking, given the scenario as stated by the defendant, Mrs. Fizer, do you believe it’s possible that things happened the way she described? He asked.

  “Hypothetically, given the scenario given by the accused as to how things happened.” The ME stated, “The holding of the knife in the left hand by the victim the way she described, the blade could not have entered into the neck as even with the arm fully extended the forearm from the midline of the arm extends away from the neck. Thus, the way that the blade entered through the neck, even in a struggle the blade could not have ‘slipped,’ as stated by the defendant.” He stated, “
Furthermore, the blade of the knife would have had to been slammed into the neck by someone with an adult strength in order to cut through the cartilage of the neck as it did in this case, as again the direction and force needed was inconsistent with the scenario given by the defendant.” He added.

  “So then in your medical opinion, having more than 28 years in the field…,” The Prosecution asked, “In my medical opinion, given the scenario I find it near impossible that the events happed as the defendant described.” He said. It was at this time we noticed one of the court officers having silent words with one of Fizer’s’ family members, as she removed one of her shoes, as if preparing to throw it at the ME for what he stated before the court.

  “Thank you sir,” the Prosecution stated before turning his attention toward the judge, “The State rests your honor,” the Prosecution stated.

  Defenses Cross Examination of the Medical Examiner

  “You just stated before the court that given the scenario provided by the defendant that, hypothetically speaking, in your medical experience you believe that the events described were near impossible, correct?” The Defense paused, “But not Impossible?” he asked.

  “Percentage wise, I would say that the events happening the way they have been described by the defendant are minute at best but no not impossible.” The ME stated to the defense, almost rolling his eyes to the question.

  “So then not impossible,” The defense added, to which the ME remained silent. “Now sir,” the defense said as he walked back towards his table, looking at Paula and her family in the front row. “Were you there when the events as stated by my client occurred?” he asked. “No sir I was not there to witness the events firsthand,” The ME stated. “I see…thank you sir, I have no further questions for this witness,” the defense stated.

  “Prosecution, do you have anything to state or request at this time?” Timmers asked. “Yes your honor, at this time the State asks for the charges against Mrs. Chiquita Fizer are held and for the court to move on to trial of the Defendant, Chiquita Rena Fizer, with 2nd Degree Murder of Jeffrey Scott Dryden.”

  “Defense, do you have anything to say at this time?” Judge Timmers asked before making his ruling. “Your Honor, the Defense asks that all charges against the defendant be dropped as we feel the evidence presented before the court is not enough to hold the Mrs. Fizer for the charges alleged at this time.” The Defenses stated.

  “Request by the Defense denied,” Judge Timmers stated, “at this time I feel there is an ample amount of evidence to charge Mrs. Fizer with Second Degree murder for the death of Mr. Jeffrey Scott Dryden,” Timmers stated. “In that regard your honor the defense would like to make a request for bail,” the Defense attorney stated as Fizer wrote down what we believed was a number of the amount she could afford for bail.

  “We have a body sir, we have a victim and we have the only person witness to the crime as the suspect.” Judge Timmers stated before the court, his words directed towards the defense, “The defendant will be remanded, and charged with murder in the Second Degree, furthermore she will remain as a ward of the state until trial,” he stated, thus ending the pre-trial hearing.

  In the Aftermath that ensued, it became evident that this trial was going to be trying on my entire family. No thanks in part to the killer’s family, who were escorted out of the courtroom first, followed by Barton Dieters, a crime reporter for The Grand Rapids Press who later reported the events that took place outside as we waited in the courtroom that afternoon.

  “After the hearing, several family members and supporters of Fizer stormed out of the court building where they loudly decried the process that has jailed their loved one (Deiters, August 20 2010),” Dieters wrote. Later we found that several members of Fizers family had plans to remain on site, lying in wait for us to come out of the courtroom. However, thanks to the attentiveness of the Wyoming Police Department, who waited outside in full force with four police cars, several officers and detectives, this idea was adverted and we were not allowed to exit the building until after all her supporters and family members left the area.

  CHAPTER 12: MEN MUST BE MEN:

  WHY MEN STAY IN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIPS

  In a previous chapter, you may recall one of Chiquita’s supporters whom posted, “IF HE WAS BEING ABUSED BY CHIQUITA… WELL HE SHOULD HAVE HAD ...ENOUGH FUCKING SENSE TO GET THE FUCK OUT OF DODGE WHEN SHE FIRST STARTED KICKING HIS ASS.” I find it ever so interesting how people can make such comments so easily when standing from the outside looking in without truly knowing what is going on inside.

  Would she make the same bold and otherwise ignorant statement if it were a woman being abused instead of a man? Would she take kindly to those same derogatory remarks of advice if her ass were the one being kicked?

  What she and the bulk of our society doesn’t know, is that for men, leaving an abusive relationship can be more difficult than it is for a woman being abused by her male lover.

  As a whole, due to our own society’s interpretation of what and how a man should act under certain predetermined situations, boys growing up into young men are led to believe that in order to be a successful man, they must lust over the sharply tight curves of all women. They must drink and make marry, feast heavily and enjoy the camaraderie of other men while either watching or playing some sort of physical activity.

  Boy’s becoming men are led to believe by the mediated culture around them in both the movies in the theaters and on television that a real man shows no weakness, knows no pain, and can hold their own against any opposing force.

  Even the bible takes this stance in teaching men what it is to be a man. In the story of Job, God allowed the devil to take away everything Job had, killed off his family, burned down his house, killed all his animals and plagued him with all sorts of diseases all to see just how faithful Job was to his Lord. However, when Job was finally ready to give in, ready to give up, God came to him and said, “Brace yourself like a man, I shall ask you questions and you shall answer them, (Bible, 1984).”

  According to 1 Corinthians 16:13 of the bible, the phrase, “like a man,” means “boldly, courageously,” thus to “Brace yourself like a man,” would mean that men, since biblical times, were to act boldly and courageously in everything they do.

  Odd it seems now, that even in this current age of existence where anyone can choose to believe whatever he or she desires. We still hold the ideas, that in order for a male to be a man in our own society, he must stand boldly and courageously, never faulting to the ideas of pain, nor giving in or admitting defeat to what our society deems the weaker sex.

  In previous chapters, I have discussed why Jeff stayed with Fizer during the course of his relationship, through the interview with his twin brother, Jason Dryden. However, If we take Jeff out of this for a moment and look at what an average man (married or not) must go through versus an average woman in the same situation we can easily see the trouble and issues that men have over their female counterparts in the situation.

  For example, though a woman may feel ashamed that she let herself be abused by her lover or allowed things to get to that point, our society allows women to admit that they are victims of domestic abuse without fear of harassment or discrimination.

  No one will look down at her or tell her she is less of a woman for ALLOWING herself to be hit by a man. Social workers and police officers have been trained to look for signs of domestic abuse on women when responding to any domestic related calls.

  We have battered woman shelters, support groups, counseling, financial assistance programs and even laws that help women being abused. Men however, have nothing to help them work past the pain or admit to anyone that their female lover has abused them. In fact, our society does quite the opposite, not only do we not have programs or assistance for men to come forward, but when a few men do manage to do so they are discriminated against at every level and in every facet of human existence.

  Case in point, according to a 2005 s
urvey on the number of emergency shelters in the United States for Battered Woman and their children, the survey showed that there were approximately 1,637 emergency shelters, as well as several thousand non-emergency shelters in the US (Domestic Violence Shelters in the US -- 2005). However, as I could not find a survey done for male domestic shelters, (other than a few that catered only to Homosexual men) I did my own study and after looking for almost a day and a half on Google, Yahoo, and Bing.

  I could only find 15 in the US, if there are more than that, then they are near impossible to find using modern day resources, thus, sadly enough I can say with certainty that there are more animal shelters than there are male domestic abuse shelters currently in the United States.

  In today’s society, a woman that is abused can call the police and expect their male abuser to be arrested for injuring and/or threatening to injure them in anyway.

  When it comes to a man being abused by his female partner however, researchers on this topic advise men, “that calling the police may make the situation worse.” A study done on this exact topic showed that, “if the male is present when the police arrive at the location, there is a 80-90% chance the male present will be arrested regardless the evidence and circumstances (Charles E Corry, Fiebert Ph.D., & Pizzey, 2008).”

  Additionally, this same study states that, “By the time the police do arrive, an angry woman often will have made up a story making it the man’s fault and the cops will buy her version of events, 9 times out of 10.” In hindsight, the only reason Chiquita wasn’t believed right away was due to Jeff’s death, the violent way in which he died, and her own prior criminal background.

  A concurring report on this topic stated, “It is common for police officers to believe that a ‘man can defend himself in a dispute,’ and therefore do not classify the assault in terms of a domestic event (Furse, 1993).” The same report later states that, “Many officers lack the sensitivity training to take action because most of the education efforts focus on women being abused and not men.”