The Brutal Murder of Jill Cahill and The Creation of Jillys Law

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Jill Russell was born a free spirit. Even as a young girl, she never conformed to the standards of normality as defined by society. She wasn't a rebel causing trouble either. No, Jill was just happy-go-lucky and always seeking an exciting adventure.

While Jill was living life to fullest, friends were settling down and raising families. Although she'd given marriage an unsuccessful try once before, she found she was finally ready to settle down, raise a few kids, and grow old with someone she loved.

When she met James "Jeff" Francis Cahill III, she really believed she'd met her prince charming. He was handsome and smart and, best of all, he loved many of the same activities she did.

It didn't take Jill long to realize that Jeff's mother was a religious zealot. Patty Cahill adamant to the point of overbearing about the family's Catholic practices, insisting that her children (even as grown men) attend Mass daily.

But that was of little consequence to Jill because she loved Jeff. Their relationship was about him and her, not him, her, and his family.

A few months into the relationship, Jill discovered she was pregnant. Jeff and Jill made plans to marry, ignoring his mother's protestations and claims that she would never condone this union.

In 1988, Timothy Cahill was born and Jilly's life took on even greater meaning. All that she had been searching for came in the form of a beautiful infant. Less than two years later, Tim was joined by a little sister, Mary Catherine Cahill.

Jill was so enamored with her babies that she would have gladly had many more, but her pregnancies and births had been so hard on her body that she was advised to not bear any more children. Jill was heartbroken, but it was what it was and life would go on.

Jill dedicated her life to her young children, but as they grew she reacquainted herself with some of the hobbies she had loved before their arrival; one of them was gardening and landscaping.

Jill had kept this skill fine tuned even when she didn't have a lot of time. She used it as means to decorate the couples' little home that was in major need of repairs - both small and large. Even though Jeff was self-employed as a handy man, he had little time for his own home. Not that he had too much work, just that he wasn't motivated to do so.

Everyone loved the homey, (now stylish) flea market interior decorating designs by Jill. But most of everyone loved the beautiful flower gardens Jill so lovingly created. And soon others were seeking out her services for landscaping their own homes. Soon Jill found herself to be a landscaper in high demand, even having to turn away jobs for lack of time.

In the meantime, the relationship between Jeff and Jill began to grow stale. And before she realized it, physical violence had entered and Jill often found herself afraid of the man she believed she'd grow old with.

And it wasn't just the abuse, but Jill was exhausted from being the breadwinner while Jeff only played at a job and being the full time and only caregiver for the children. And the issues with his overbearing mother had finally reached a breaking point.

Being a much sought after landscape artist had given Jill confidence and a means of income. And when she met a man who loved her and treated her with kindness, it wasn't much of a leap for Jill to fall in love with him and decide it was time to gather her children and leave Jeff.

It wasn't an easy thing to do and it took a while for Jill to finally summon the nerve to do so. Friends knew of her plans, even encouraged her, but Jill wanted to do it in a way that would affect her children the least. Knowing that Jill was fearful of Jeff's reaction, friends and the paramour were patient.

Finally, Jill took the leap. Even amid promises of change, Jill filed for divorce. She was almost free. But before she could make the physical separation from her abusive husband, Jeff would exhibit another act of violence.

With the children sleeping in their rooms only feet away, Jeff began beating Jill with a baseball bat. Over and over and over, Jeff hit Jilly in the head, shoulders, neck, and back.

Even as she lay bleeding and begging, Jeff hit her with the bat. Over. And over. And over. And over. When Tim and Mary came running at the sounds of the assault, Jilly begged them to call for help but Jeff ordered them back to bed.

When he was finally done and Jill lay unconscious, Jeff didn't call 911. No, this mama's boy went straight to the only woman he truly loved: his mother.

Jill lay in the battered state for hours before the Cahills called their family physician; most likely in hopes he would help cover up Jeff's criminal conduct. After he took one look at Jill, he demanded they call 911.

As Jilly underwent numerous surgeries, Jeff underwent intense interrogations by local police. He insisted that Jill attacked him and he was just defending himself. But the evidence and Jill's current condition said otherwise and Jeff was arrested and charged with attempted murder.

But as too common, the batterer was able to make bond (with the help of his Mommy, of course) and was released until trial.

As the next six months passed, Jill struggled to recover. With loving parents, sister, and brother-in-law at her side, Jilly was slowly returning to the living world. She would never be one hundred percent again, but she was alive. She would get to see her children, hear them, and touch them - Jeff would not take that away.

Doctors and nurses were all well aware of how Jill came to be a patient in their care and pictures were posted at hospital security and nurses stations to prevent him from finishing what he started.

But while Jeff was a wife-beating Mama's boy, he was no idiot. Observing hospital routines, uniforms, and care procedures, Jeff doned clothing similar to that of the janitorial staff, a wig, and computer-created identification and slithered his way onto Jilly's floor.

With a bottle of cyanide in hand, Jeff leaned over Jilly's bed and began pouring it into her mouth. Jill's eyes flew open in fear and she fought with what little strength she had, but it wasn't enough. Within minutes, she was dead.

As doctors and nurses rushed to her bedside, others noticed the strange man who was so obviously pretending to be janitor. Searching the hospital, they were unable to locate him. But they knew who he was and they readily gave police his name: Jeff Cahill, Jilly's soon to be ex husband.

Within hours police were at Jeff's door. Despite his claims that he had been home all evening, the heat radiating from his car hood said otherwise. Jeff was arrested on charges of murder.

Jeff was convicted of murdering his wife and currently in prison. He will not be eligible for parole until 2036, when he is 75 years old.

Jill Cahill's sister Debra Jaeger was outraged that Jeff had been able to make bail and released which allowed him to plot and have access to the poison he used to eventually kill Jilly.

Debra isn't a person to go away quietly. For years, she's been vocal about the injustices of a justice system that set a man, who clearly wanted his wife dead, free. While his rights were being exercised, her sister's right to life was trampled on.

That's why Debra has been active in passing Jilly's Law. If passed, this law would require the Courts to consider the brutality behind a defendant's charge and use such to deny bail. The current standards only consider the likelihood of appearance at Court hearings by the defendant's

Please like Jilly's Law on Facebook and show your support. There is safety in numbers!

Jill Cahill had been granted an Order of Protection. As has been evidenced too many times, if someone is intent on hurting another, such an Order isn't worth the paper on which it is written. That is why I adamantly support Jilly's Law and hope that soon New York lawmaker's will put this lifesaving measure into effect. Once it's passed in New York, I have no doubts that similar laws in other states won't be long in coming.

Domestic violence is a very serious issue. If you are being abused, please seek help by calling 1−800−799−SAFE(7233) or TTY 1−800−787−3224. Or visit www.thehotline.org.

If you know somebody in a violent situation, don't be afraid to speak up. Sometimes the abused needs it to be acknowledged as a first step in getting help. Let them know you are aware, it is not their fault, and that you are willing to help them by offering monetary assistance, counseling, or even just moral support. Knowing they will not be alone is so very important.

Too often people claim to know but not get involved because it isn't their business. IT IS YOUR BUSINESS! Abusive situations are everyone's business. Next time it could be you, your daughter, your mother, your aunt, your sister, or your friend. Or even your brother, your uncle, your grandfather. Please don't turn a blind eye. Stand up! Speak out! Expose these cowards for who they are! Together we CAN fight back!