Ex-Girlfriend of Accused Arsonist Wanted Protection From Him
By: John Clay
Updated: November 21, 2012
ALTOONA, BLAIR COUNTY -- Tuesday, Darrel Etchison Sr. was sitting at his wife's hospital bedside, mourning the loss of his 3-year-old son. He's clear about what he's hoping for from the community, and what should happen to the person that set the fire that killed his son.
He says, "I want them to pray for my son and I want the death penalty for that animal".
Prosecutors say they believe Aaron Dishong wanted to kill his 39 year old ex-girlfriend. He thought she was staying at the Etchison's home, but she wasn't there. She had a temporary protection from abuse order from Dishong. In it, she writes,"he stalks me when I go to my friends house. He feels that our relationship is, if i can't have you, nobody can."
She pleads for a P-F-A for her and her family's safety, writing, "so Aaron Dishong can't hurt anyone of us anymore mentally or emotionally or god forbid physically. He has a plan to kill me."
She wanted a permanent Protection From Abuse order from Dishong, and was asking for one the day of the fire that killed 3-year-old Darrel Jr. His dad struggles to make sense of it all, and hold on to the memories of his namesake.
The Myers-Somers funeral home will handle a service once Darrel's mother is well enough to attend. A memorial fund is also being set up.
