San Diego (special) -- If a reminder is needed that domestic violence can strike anywhere--even in our Jewish community where some accept the myth that it doesn't happen to us--it came Thursday, Feb. 5, when San Diego District Attorney Paul Pfingst presented a "local hero" award to Martha Laufer, whose husband Edward was imprisoned for her torture.

To a hushed luncheon meeting of the downtown San Diego Rotary Club, Pfingst narrated details of Martha Laufer's ordeal, and told of her courage not only in the criminal prosecution of her husband but also in successfully lobbying the state Legislature to change California's sentencing laws.

"Edward became obsessed with his belief that Martha was sneaking men into their house in Alpine in the middle of the night," Pfingst said. "As a result he turned the house into a fortress, patrolled the grounds at night, often firing shots off into the dark to keep Martha's imaginary lovers away from the home. On Jan. 6, 1996, Edward confronted Martha with her alleged infidelities. When Martha denied them, Edward dragged her into their daughter's bedroom and swung a rifle at her head.  "For the next two days, Laufer

PRESENTATION--Martha laufer accepts a framed copy of the bill her torture case inspired as Dist Atty.  Paul Pfingst of San Diego narrats and Deputy Dist.  Atty.  Colin Murray, who prosecuted the case, stand by.

periodically beat Martha in the bedroom with a rifle, a hammer and the blunt side of a hatchet," Pfingst continued. "During the attacks Laufer repeatedly insisted that Martha admit to her affairs. When she denied having them, he became incensed and continued to beat her. Laufer often left her room in order to hammer nails into the doors and windows of the house. Whenever he left, he locked Martha in so that she could not escape. He denied Martha's request for water, or for ice for her injuries. 

"Finally after days of torture, he threw her into the street with her two children....As a result of these attacks, Martha suffered bruises all over her body, a large gash on her head, a broken hand and torn ligaments in her knee."

After Laufer's arrest, Martha Laufer was transformed from victim to hero, according to Pfingst's account. Prosecutors asked her "to resist her husband's efforts to bribe her off financially and cooperate with us," Pfingst said. 

"Despite enormous financial pressure including the very real prospect of becoming homeless with two children, Martha dedicated herself to making sure that her husband would be held accountable for his crimes. She spent countless hours with our investigator and the trial prosecutor...in preparation for going to court. She was on the witness stand in the preliminary hearing for three days, and at the trial she was on the witness stand for four more days.

"The trial itself took a month," Pfingst continued. "She was cross examined by some of the finest defense attorneys in San Diego and she refused to let them break her. In the end, Martha was vindicated by a jury which convicted him of the crime of torture, plus numerous other accounts and allegations.

"But it didn't end there," Pfingst said. "The trial judge (Superior Court Judge Allan Preckel) decided to sentence Edward Laufer to just 10 years in prison instead of a life term, which is normally mandatory for the crime of torture. Martha and our office, as you might guess, were disappointed. We then asked her to help us one more time: we asked her to help us lobby the California State Legislature to change the law so that judges would be forced to sentence criminals to the maximum term required.

"Martha testified and told her stories to the Senate and (Assembly) committes on Public Safety. Her bill was approved overwhelmingly and the law became effective January 1st of this year. Martha's role in the prosecution of her husband and in changing the sentencing law of this state was both selfless and courageous...."

Besides a "local hero" certificate, Martha Laufer was given a framed copy of the bill that also included a photograph of the ceremony which she had attended at which Gov. Pete Wilson signed the measure into law.

Five other presentations were made at the luncheon to citizens whose actions had helped law enforcement. 

Sheriff Bill Kolender presented an award to Lori Durham, who overheard a woman giving the details of a murder she committed the day before, and for getting a full description of the woman's physical appearance, her car, its license plate and the appearance of a passenger in the car -- leading to the suspect's arrest.

Kolender also honored Bill Stadler for helping a deputy subdue a suspect who was grappling for the deputy's gun. 

Pfingst made an award to Jeannie Keller, who saw a man lead away a friend's child from a playground, and chased him. She recovered the child and was able to provide a description that led to the suspect's arrest.

San Diego Police Chief Jerry Sanders honored Susan Bennett for twice stopping on mid-span of the San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge, and talking would be jumpers out of committing suicide. He also honored Michelle Toro and her family, who spotted a missing San Diego woman, who was mentally disabled, sitting in a doorway in Tijuana and alerting Mexican authorities.

Rabbi Aaron Gottesman, who serves as a chaplain for the San Diego Police Department, prefaced the afternoon with his invocation, in which he thanked God for the honorees "contributions to life, to helping others, to making the world a little more beautiful."

"Our tradition teaches us that he who saves one life, it is as if he has saved the whole world," Gottesman continued. "We thank You for those who have saved lives, made a difference, for their contributions, their efforts, their sacrifices, their willingness to get involved."