CHARLESTON'S grotesque domestic violence murder during the July 4 weekend showed, once again, how difficult it is to protect women from brutal, controlling, dangerous, raging spouses or boyfriends - especially those who carry illegal pistols.

Nalisha Gravely, 19, was shot to death savagely in the Patrick Street Taco Bell, despite years of court attempts to keep her safe from the criminal father of her 2-year-old son.

The teenage mother evidently was part of the problem, because she had failed to prosecute Desmond Clark, 22, after previous attacks. In fact, she was riding quietly in his vehicle just before the murder and said nothing to a Dunbar officer who stopped them.

A Dunbar sergeant stopped Clark's maroon Tahoe for veering left of center before daylight Saturday, then smelled marijuana in the vehicle. A search found a small stash of pot, but no gun. Clark gallantly said the dope belonged to him alone, absolving her. He was charged with possession and driving on a suspended license. The Tahoe, registered to his mother, was impounded.

Gravely said nothing to police to imply that she was in danger. She called a friend to pick them up.

Yet within a few hours, police believe, the boyfriend had retrieved the Tahoe from impoundment, armed himself with a pistol, and killed her with a fusillade as she hid in the restaurant.

It was illegal for Clark to carry a gun because he's a convicted felon and also under domestic violence protective orders. But laws didn't prevent him from going armed, any more than they shielded the young woman from harm.

This nightmare should spur police, prosecutors and legislators to try harder to find ways to protect abused women. Gravely had filed several charges that Clark had stabbed, shot, choked, beat and menaced her, yet he wasn't locked in a cell. At the time of the murder, he was under a court order forbidding him to have contact with her until Aug. 28. Yet they rode together just before the killing.

Last year, after pleading guilty to watered-down charges, Clark was placed on home confinement. But he cut off his tracking bracelet and was charged with escape. Later, he was freed on probation because he allegedly had a job as security guard at a West Side barbershop. What sort of barbershop needs a paid guard - and what shop would hire a convicted felon for the task?

Police say that Clark was not a police informant, but other sources say he was, and that's why he was on the street, even with his record.

The Rev. Matthew Watts says Gravely was a "beautiful, intelligent girl" - yet her life was snuffed out before she turned 20. Why did the domestic violence system fail to protect her, and why did she keep returning to her barbaric boyfriend?

Although most men never hurt women, West Virginia nonetheless has a dismal rate of domestic murders. Usually, the raging man kills himself after gunning down the woman he has battered and hounded for months or years. Charleston's July 5 tragedy was somewhat atypical.

Authorities must examine this sad case to seek better methods to avert future horrors.

CHARLESTON'S grotesque domestic violence murder during the July 4 weekend showed, once again, how difficult it is to protect women from brutal, controlling, dangerous, raging spouses or boyfriends - especially those who carry illegal pistols.

Nalisha Gravely, 19, was shot to death savagely in the Patrick Street Taco Bell, despite years of court attempts to keep her safe from the criminal father of her 2-year-old son.

The teenage mother evidently was part of the problem, because she had failed to prosecute Desmond Clark, 22, after previous attacks. In fact, she was riding quietly in his vehicle just before the murder and said nothing to a Dunbar officer who stopped them.

A Dunbar sergeant stopped Clark's maroon Tahoe for veering left of center before daylight Saturday, then smelled marijuana in the vehicle. A search found a small stash of pot, but no gun. Clark gallantly said the dope belonged to him alone, absolving her. He was charged with possession and driving on a suspended license. The Tahoe, registered to his mother, was impounded.

Gravely said nothing to police to imply that she was in danger. She called a friend to pick them up.

Yet within a few hours, police believe, the boyfriend had retrieved the Tahoe from impoundment, armed himself with a pistol, and killed her with a fusillade as she hid in the restaurant.

It was illegal for Clark to carry a gun because he's a convicted felon and also under domestic violence protective orders. But laws didn't prevent him from going armed, any more than they shielded the young woman from harm.

This nightmare should spur police, prosecutors and legislators to try harder to find ways to protect abused women. Gravely had filed several charges that Clark had stabbed, shot, choked, beat and menaced her, yet he wasn't locked in a cell. At the time of the murder, he was under a court order forbidding him to have contact with her until Aug. 28. Yet they rode together just before the killing.

Last year, after pleading guilty to watered-down charges, Clark was placed on home confinement. But he cut off his tracking bracelet and was charged with escape. Later, he was freed on probation because he allegedly had a job as security guard at a West Side barbershop. What sort of barbershop needs a paid guard - and what shop would hire a convicted felon for the task?

Police say that Clark was not a police informant, but other sources say he was, and that's why he was on the street, even with his record.

The Rev. Matthew Watts says Gravely was a "beautiful, intelligent girl" - yet her life was snuffed out before she turned 20. Why did the domestic violence system fail to protect her, and why did she keep returning to her barbaric boyfriend?

Although most men never hurt women, West Virginia nonetheless has a dismal rate of domestic murders. Usually, the raging man kills himself after gunning down the woman he has battered and hounded for months or years. Charleston's July 5 tragedy was somewhat atypical.

Authorities must examine this sad case to seek better methods to avert future horrors.