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Monday, June 9, 2008

[UT] Ex-wife of "resigned" Sgt. Spencer: "What helps is he has a new victim..."

Centerville Police Sergeant John.Spencer

...“What helps is he has a new victim. He’s done with me"... She called police on four occasions and police officers stood outside with her husband, laughing and joking, while she packed a bag to leave. She also tried to call 911 three other times, but her husband ripped the phone away and threatened a murder/ suicide while holding a gun to her head... Armando L. Gutierrez, Sr., who is Spencer's father-in-law, was outraged... "This was not justice — it was 'protect your own,"... Gutierrez's wife, Delsie, said she also feared that Spencer will hunt her daughter down and murder her once he is out...

Previous entries:
Former Centerville officer sentenced
Standard-Examiner
Monday, June 9, 2008
A former Centerville police sergeant was sentenced to a year in jail today for acts of domestic violence committed last year against his wife and step-daughter. John F. Spencer, 45, of Layton, has spent 67 days in prison while undergoing a diagnostic evaluation while awaiting his sentence. Second District Judge Jon M. Memmott gave him credit for those 67 days, imposed a year sentence and jail and required domestic violence counseling. At a review hearing set for October, Memmott said Spencer could receive work release for employment and treatment. The victim, Jeanene Spencer, and her parents complained after the hearing that the sentence was too light. Jeanene Spencer said she feels safer now in part because, according to his confidential diagnostic report that she said she read, her husband has a new fiancé. “What helps is he has a new victim. He’s done with me. ... I feel bad for her and I guess she’ll see,” she said. “So I guess I can move on with my life.” [Source]
Former Police Sergeant Sentenced For Domestic Violence;
Father-In-Law Outraged

Deseret News
By Linda Thomson
Monday, June 9, 2008
A veteran Centerville police sergeant who pleaded guilty to two felonies after beating his wife and 5-year-old stepdaughter, was sentenced Monday to a year in jail. He could, however, be released in four months if the proper mental health treatment program becomes available. John Spencer, 44, who resigned from a 16-year career with the Centerville Police Department and has lost his credentials to be a police officer, previously pleaded guilty to child abuse and aggravated assault, both third-degree felonies. His lawyer, Chad Noakes, said Spencer has "lost everything," recognizes what he did was wrong and is "severely remorseful" and dedicated to changing himself. Noakes said Spencer, who had an inpatient evaluation at the Utah State Prison's diagnostic unit, has been diagnosed with depression and bi-polar disorder. Noakes also said the diagnostic report suggested this violence was a single, isolated incident and asked that Spencer receive probation so he can continue to work two jobs to pay child support. Second District Judge Jon Memmott said it appeared that this was not an isolated incident and stated that his primary concern was getting Spencer into treatment. If Spencer was sent to prison, it was likely that he would be out in about a year having had no therapy, the judge said, adding that he was less interested in the job situation, but considered treatment "critical." Memmott sentenced Spencer to two terms of zero-to-five years in prison, but suspended the prison time, imposed a year in jail with credit for 67 days served and ordered treatment for mental health problems, as well as counseling for anger management and domestic violence. Spencer's case and any payment for restitution will be reviewed Oct. 6. If an appropriate treatment program is available then, the judge said he would consider releasing Spencer on probation. Armando L. Gutierrez, Sr., who is Spencer's father-in-law, was outraged at what he considered a slap on the hand for Spencer and "a slap in our faces" for the two victims and their families. "This was not justice — it was 'protect your own,'" Gutierrez sputtered in the hallway outside the courtroom. "Do they have to be dead before he'll get a stiffer sentence?" Gutierrez's wife, Delsie, said she also feared that Spencer will hunt her daughter down and murder her once he is out... Jeanene Spencer, John's wife, provided a written statement saying she and her daughter are being treated for continuing vision problems resulting from the beating, and both suffer from the emotional trauma of domestic violence. She later said she called police on four occasions and police officers stood outside with her husband, laughing and joking, while she packed a bag to leave. She also tried to call 911 three other times, but her husband ripped the phone away and threatened a murder/suicide while holding a gun to her head. David Williams, the father of the girl, who will turn 7 in July, wept as he described how his fun-loving child has become withdrawn and fearful, and he grew particularly emotional when he described how she blames herself for what was happening in the Spencer household. John Spencer also wept as he apologized to his wife and stepdaughter, to Williams and all the family members involved. "I know what I did was wrong, your honor," Spencer said, tearfully. "I apologize to the court and to the police officers worked with, and I tell them Mr. Gutierrez is right: We are held to a higher standard." [Full article here]
[police officer involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner violence ipv abuse law enforcement public safety child abuse lethal with injury utah state politics]

34 comments:

  1. I am one of John's ex-wives and yes this is NOT an isolated case.......ask the other previous ex-wives............

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousJune 09, 2012

      Which wife are you? I know them all because he's my dad.

      Delete
    2. AnonymousJune 10, 2012

      It doesn't matter which ex.

      Delete
  2. (Sorry for taking so long to post the comment. I am in MPLS away from the internet - Just found this computer in the lobby of where I am staying.)

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  3. John was a great cop.

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  4. What about all these people that he arrested that were "isolated" incidents that he helped have their kids taken away, when he is doing the same damned thing, if not worse then those that he arrested?? Are all those people allowed to now go back and have their names dug out of the ground?

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  5. John was a good cop and I learned a lot from him. Everyone expects officers to be perfect. Well, we aren't. If you would go to work day in and day out and deal with murders, children injured or dead, people beating eachother, lying to you etc. It wears on you. I'm not making excuses for John by anymeans, what he did was wrong. I saw a child whos skull cap popped off his head by a swing set. THINGS wear on us. I still see that from time to time in my mind.

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  6. ... being lied to all day and seeing crooks that you risk your life to arrest - back on the streets the next day.

    I agree. But we are responsible - if we are not mentally disabled - to get help when we feel the rage or spot the chance of violence.

    When it is your JOB to arrest others for breaking the law you either need to NOT break the law - or step down when you can't be the trusted public servant any longer. Being a cop may feel like the only job in the world, but it's not.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'm responsible for what's posted here and so I am censoring this message just a little:

    Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "[UT] Ex-wife of "resigned" Sgt. Spencer: "What hel...":

    "What could you have possibly learned from John? How to marry several women, deceive them, cheat on them, beat them, then go to work and put on your "good cop" smile? What is he, now ending his 6th marriage? And what's up with all the kids he has! One _____________________, three from one wife, one from another wife, one from his current wife. Wow! sorry you learned from this kind of guy, I sure wouldn't want to learn from his examples. Good luck!"

    The writer also asks you to imagine what the 5 year old assault victim experineced. Read this again, from one of the articles:

    "...John's wife, provided a written statement saying she and her daughter are being treated for continuing vision problems resulting from the beating, and both suffer from the emotional trauma of domestic violence."

    ReplyDelete
  8. Yup. Just looked at the other post. He beat his ex's head AND the five year old's head into the floor.

    I cannot even bear to hear my own self say what should happen to this punk.

    ReplyDelete
  9. AnonymousJune 09, 2012

    I'd like all of you to know that John is my dad!! My DAD!!!! It hurts to hear and see these comments!! Everyone makes mistakes. He is a better person and he's changing. And to the wife who commented at the top and whoever said what's up with all his kids, it's hard having all those kids. I would know I'm one of them. You don't know him like I do so next time you write rude things online, think about the family that reads them.

    ReplyDelete
  10. AnonymousJune 19, 2012

    I’m sorry it hurts for you to read what people say about your dad, I’m sure your dad feels sorry for his mistakes and I’m sure you see a different side of him than some people do. Truth is there are no excuses for ANYBODY to beat an innocent child. Sounds like you think just because he’s your dad that people should excuse his behavior. Maybe you shouldn’t be reading about your dad if it hurts so bad.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I didn't write that last post but I thought about writing one pretty close to the same feelings. Then I thought, the kid's feelings are genuine and show the impact and range of the decisions people make.

    Nobody wins.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I don’t know what urged me to look at this website, for some reason I did. I am somewhat shocked at the comments. I don’t know which child of John’s you are, bless your heart whoever you are. I’ve seen bad comments posted about me in 2007 in the news media and it hurts. I have to admit I am a bit curious who the ex-wife is that posted, but it’s not important. Anyway, I am writing on here to let people know that even though we haven’t talked all these years, I have forgiven John. I fought for my little girl as much as I could then, and I’m still fighting for my little girl just in a different way. She has seizures from the trauma she suffered to her brain and it breaks my heart every time she has one. We get through it though and I’m here for her. I have a precious little boy from John that was 6 months old at the time, he is now 5. I thank God every day for my son. I can’t hate his dad, he gave me him and he has been such a little blessing in my life. I recognize that I’m not perfect and John’s not perfect. We make mistakes, and we both have moved on with our lives. I am so thankful for support groups, but I believe in respecting others and it’s appropriate to keep discourteous comments to ourselves.

    ReplyDelete
  13. AnonymousJune 19, 2012

    Thank you for commenting here, and it's just breaking my heart. God bless you and your daughter in every way possible.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I am for the moment still John’s current wife. You can all glory over the fact that another marriage is ending for him. You are like vultures hovering over him. A very wise loving God said, “Those without sin cast the first stone!”
    I’ve kept silent on your blog. Yes, I’ve read your blog and I did my homework before dating John. I know the nights he wanted end his own life. I know how he worked two jobs going sometimes 48 hours without sleep so he could get caught up on his child support and pay his restitution.
    Believe me; John is crucifying himself far more than any of you could do yourselves. He is a good man and a loving father. He is not a child abuser or a wife beater. Yes, he does struggle with depression and although no one seems to have looked at post traumatic stress disorder. He fits the symptoms far better than bi-polar.
    If we posted each of your sins on this wall then we could level the playing field a little. No one is perfect but John isn’t the monster this wall makes him appear to be.

    ReplyDelete
  15. It's nobody's job but his to get the help he needs. You can blame everyone but him if you want to but that makes you his current enabler. If he needs help for ptsd as you say then whose job do you think it is to deliver that to him on a silver platter? That's his job. You both need help separately. A healthy woman who did the homework as you say you have would have known she couldn't fix him. So both of you can keep pointing at everyone else as the problem to justify the choices you have made but that isn't going to help. You know that. You see the good in him. There's good in everyone. That doesn't chase away the problems. He could have killed someone just with what has already happened. When you repeatedly bang someone's head against something you aren't caring if they live or die. Be very careful.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I am here to eat my words. I thought John had changed but I found out last week he was living with the woman he cheated on me with. He is very good at lying. Our divorce was finalized 9/5/12 and she kicked him out the following Sunday. He told me he hates woman and would never live with another woman. He has already moved back in with her. He was verbally abusive to me but I thought it wasn't too bad. I apologize to the past victims for not believing you. I am very lucky to be out of that relationship with only a few emotional scares and not nearly the pain that other victims have experienced. I am now working to protect my daughter. Please Please listen to these posts if you know someone he is dating then please help them find the truth before they get hurt too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so sorry to hear. He's good, he's so good with his words. He told me that he would never re-marry again because he loved me so much and could never see himself with anybody else, yet I found out he was engaged before our divorce was even final...it honestly hurts to feel that pain and it hurts to think that you believed him, you know? I believed every word he told me. With time you will heal.... I promise, you now know what red flags to look for in your future spouse. I wish you and your daughter the best always.

      Delete
  17. Some listen, some don't. Hopefully your words will touch someone who is now walking where you've walked.

    ReplyDelete
  18. To the person who wrote to the blog recently, I don't want to post that comment HERE but will do what I can with it in a more private way, distributing it among people we trust. It could get you or someone else hurt if I post it publicly here.

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  19. Who do we trust if we can't trust the cops?

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  20. I know there are good cops out there but John is a man who has told me personally he hates women. If you are dating this man or know someone who is, he is not safe. He is extremely charming. He will tell you all his previous wives were crazy and had affairs. He will play the victim and talk as if you are the only one who can help him have a good life but once you are in a relationship with him for awhile he will turn on you. He will start calling you crazy and mental if you show any emotion. He will cheat on you and if you suspect it he will tell you you are crazy. He will call you names that I can't even write here because they are so vulgar. He will push you to the point of losing your temper and then tell you it is you that is out of control because you are crazy. He pulled a butcher knife out in front of me and threatened to kill himself. He has put me down and told me I f****d with the wrong person. This was after he served time in jail. What happened to Jeanene and her daughter is not a one time thing he is dangerous.

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  21. Oh my gosh! After reading what’s been posted since my post this past summer, I’m very disappointed that John has not changed. It makes me sick. I honestly thought that being on the other side of the judicial system would be a huge life changing event for him. I’m so glad my daughter, son, and I have been protected from him all these years. I’m also saddened that others have experienced the trauma of his suicidal threats, but that’s how he gains his control in a moment of vulnerability.
    For those who are his prey and may be potential victims of his, yes, I mentioned that I have moved on with my life, but that was not easy! What he lowers you into believing and thinking takes years to gain back! I was put down by him and the public for destroying his career as a cop. I was the one that got him caught and everybody who knew his charming side hated me for it. I cried for help so many times and nobody believed me. I was looked at as the bad person especially by his fellow officers. It really hurt that even after all the abuse that was shown on my daughter and I, the public (mostly Davis County) ridiculed me for that fateful night. Overcoming all that took time and now I can care less what people say about me, the truth reveals itself. Don’t fall for his charm it only lasts until he has you where he wants you, then he’s on to the next girl while belittling you and defaming you to others. I was a young and naive girl when I met John and he instilled fear in me, fear that I no longer have apart from him. Before you can get help, he will try to act first to make himself look innocent, falsifying everything to be in his favor. Be wise and listen to these posts, it’s not worth the agony and heartache. I am not on here to be vindictive towards John, I have put behind me all ill feelings of him. I am here to speak out and protect you.

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  22. Thank you Jeanene, what you and your daughter went through has helped to protect me and my kids. The night John and I separated he left bruises on my arms, yet he was calling me crazy and threatened to call the police. Your words came back to me and I realized what you said was true. I remember being in the courtroom hearing about how you called the Layton police and they stood on the porch joking with John. As soon as he made his threat it hit me and I looked at him and said, "Who do you think they'll believe?" He left immediately and never moved back home. He is terrified of going back to jail but he has not changed. The other night he picked up our daughter from daycare and didn't bring her home at 8:30 like he was suppose to. I had to call the police and have them make him bring her to a drop off point to make the switch at 11:30 at night. He lied to the police and claimed it was a misunderstanding. He is very smooth. I am gathering evidence and building my case to protect my daughter. You are right truth is truth!! He is not going to change and he feels he is above the law. That is what makes him dangerous. He is so charming and such a good liar that if we protect him by being silent others will suffer.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I wish there was a way I can talk to you, I've looked you up on FB, but no option to email you.

      Delete
    2. You can use me to get in touch with each other. If you get in touch with one another, consider getting proof somehow - enough convincement - that you are talking to who you think you are talking to. My email address is above the comment box below.

      Delete
  23. Honestly do you people have nothing better to do with your lives? I don't even know where to begin. John Spencer is my father. He is a good man and yes, he has made mistakes in his life but who hasn't? We were put on this earth to make mistakes. No one is perfect. I know my dad has hurt all these women and now you are all against him and all on the same side. You all think he is a monster and a horrible person. Do you really know him?

    ReplyDelete
  24. Have you been through what these abused victims have been through? If not, then you shouldn’t know where to begin. Websites such as this may be a voice for victims. It’s not very considerate of you to address victims as if they have nothing better to do with their life. Some victims make careers out of what they experienced for example an abused child may grow up to become a social worker to help protect others because that hurt was so bad they don’t want anybody else to ever feel that way. If you notice the heading when you first log on it says “a non-ending payer for those that thought they had escaped but can’t stop being afraid.” People that have been abused just don’t heal like it was a scratch from a fall. It is something that carries on with you for life and you have find a way to continue living in a positive way and not let it affect you negatively against society. To some victims it feels like an obligation to protect others if they have a chance to. These women are protecting other women and children that may get hurt by your father’s actions. Nobody is perfect and these women are not proclaiming they are perfect. You ask if these women really know him. I’m sure the answer will be no, not in the same way you know him. A love between a parent and child is a different kind of love.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Victim's family says ex-cop got favorable deal
    The Salt Lake Tribune
    June 9, 2008
    http://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=9534515&itype=NGPSID&keyword=&qtype=


    ReplyDelete
  26. I am happy to say John spencer has a wonderful relationship with all his children and is happy. I suggest that it is time to end this negative website that has only hurt people. The past is simply just that...a past.

    ReplyDelete
  27. He's in no way changed, it's the same with any other man whom beats women and children. They are so unsatisfied with themselves and have such low self esteem it can't be overcome. That's why it's assault on a female and a child not a man... He should be bent over in prison still to this day. And it's only the past to the one who weren't abused by this lowlife so shut up about that past stuff...

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  28. What a joke......

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  29. To the person who sent a comment saying that you are surprised to find out that this is your current boss - I can't post your comment because if you are really under him it would be too easy for him to identify who you are by the things that you have shared. Sorry.

    ReplyDelete

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