Domestic violence survivors could track their abuser’s movements before trial, under new Tennessee bill

Adjusting the microphone, Alex Youn prepares to tell a room full of state representatives how his mother and sister were murdered.

He’s testifying at the House Criminal Justice Committee in support of the Debbie and Marie Domestic Violence Protection Act, a bill that would require offenders arrested for aggravated domestic violence to wear a GPS monitoring device until their court date. The victim would be provided with a device that would notify them if their abuser is within a certain distance.

That bill is named for Youn’s sister, Marie Varsos, and their mother, Debbie Sisco. On April 12, 2021, both women were killed by Marie’s abusive husband after he was arrested — and then almost immediately released — for strangling her until she lost consciousness. He waited outside their home for 45 minutes in a rental car stocked with guns, a taser and zip ties.

“I often wonder how things would have gone differently if [Marie] knew that he was sitting outside waiting for them. They could have contacted law enforcement, secured their firearms faster, and strategized a plan. And even had time to say goodbye,” he said, taking a shuddering breath.”

Youn believes his family could be alive today if they had some kind of warning that his brother-in-law was lying in wait for them outside their home, or even better, that he was heading their way.

“You all have the power and ability to ensure that others don’t experience what my family has endured,” Youn told legislators.

This isn’t his first time telling his family’s story: he tried, unsuccessfully, to get a similar bill passed last year. This time, he said, feels different.

“I feel like we’ve got the bill sponsors and we have the momentum,” he said.

Before Youn even got up to speak, every single member of the House Criminal Justice Committee signed on to co-sponsor the bill. The bill’s main sponsor, Rep. Clay Doggett, is hopeful that kind of enthusiastic support could help get the bill passed.

“I’ve been here six years and have presented numerous bills. That’s the first time I’ve ever seen that. So, I’m very proud,” he said.

“This is a home run. This is a no brainer. This is something that’s going to hopefully save lives,” said Doggett, who served as a sheriff’s deputy before running for office.

The bill is headed to the Finance, Ways and Means Committee on Wednesday.