A defense lawyer's comments in a high-profile case of abuse and torture in West Virginia could make domestic violence victims think twice about asking for help and discourage bystanders from offering it, an advocate said Thursday.

Peter Lizon, 37, of Leroy is entitled to a strong defense as he prepares a preliminary hearing Friday in the alleged decade-long torture of his wife, Stephanie, said Sue Julian of the West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Lizon's defense attorney Shawn Bayliss has dismissed claims that Peter Lizon beat, burned and chained his wife, and forced her to kneel in his presence.

"Unfortunately, what happens is that defense attorneys often use the media as a platform to discredit and humiliate victims, as well as programs that help them," Julian said. Focusing on one defendant can make them "somewhat oblivious to the bigger-picture impact" on victims weighing their own options.