Styka v. Styka

Andrew Styka and Ligia Ramirez were married in New York City in June 1959. He is a Pole; she was born in Colombia. He is fluent in Spanish and English; she speaks no Polish and only kitchen English. From the beginning, according to him, their marriage was plagued by her “terrible and uncontrollable moods.” There were times, he said, when coming home was “just like walking into a hell.” She, on the other hand, said they were “very happy together.” There are no children.

In April 1968 they left New York and came to Baltimore County so that Andrew could be near his work. He had been hired as an…