by Cherry Simpson
Mobile Alabama is my home and one I’ve cherished. The children here are taught to answer, “yes ma’am or yes sir” and southern hospitality is practiced along with football, going to church, fishing’ and hunting’.
Recently two men allegedly hunted down and killed their intimate partners. Both stories are as black and evil as any story you will hear on the national news. But they contrast in the fact that one man is behind bars and the other is free.
Why the preferential treatment? Could it be because he’s an elected official, with friends in high places?
Murder #1
Angel Downs Murder Investigation - Commissioner Steve Nodine - Only Suspect
The night of May 9th was the night Realtor Angel Downs was found shot in the head in her front yard in Gulf Shores, AL. Steve Nodine was seen leaving the scene, in his county provided pickup truck, by neighbors who heard shots fired. Angel Downs was Steve Nodines’s mistress and she was trying to end their longtime rocky relationship. There are many inconsistencies in his story as well as very suspicious behavior. Angel Downs family insists she was not suicidal in case that becomes a defense ploy. The DA says Mr. Nodine is the “one and only suspect.”
Mobile County Commissioner Stephen Nodine seems to have had a checkered and colorful past. He’s known as a pot smoking, pill popping, receiver of questionable funds, womanizer with a history of domestic violence and now the lone suspect in a murder..
Nodine is accused of multiple misuses of funds and misuse of a county vehicle. The Grand Jury impeached and arrested him, though he’s currently out on bail. His wife filed for divorce the day after he was arrested. Has he been getting special treatment? Many say he has and has to STOP!!
How did he get away with loosing a county truck, escaped domestic violence charges, a D.U.I. related wreck in New Orleans and purchased 2400 pain pills without any of it reported in the press. Seems many knew about his escapades but did nothing to stop him.
Now Angel Downs is dead. I hope those who looked the other way find their conscience and come forward with any and all information they possess. The irony is this man actually ran on family values?
Nodine, a surprise visitor at a recent prayer group asked for a prayer which was led by current DA John Tyson Jr, The episode stunned the group, the pastor said. "We were in disbelief at what had just happened,". Nodine says "God will God will show the way and have mercy on everyone.”
Murder and politic’s shouldn’t mix but there’s a DA race going on right now with Nodine’s Atty Mark Erwin running against Ashly Rich. Rich says about her opponent "His real job for the past 5 years has been working as a lawyer for Steve Nodine at the Mobile County Commission where last year alone he was paid over $250,000." Erwin went to Nodine’s house the day after Angel Downs was murdered to remove 2 guns ostensibly out of concern for his family and Nodine.
Evidence includes blood, bullets and maybe even surveillance video. I’m not the only one in Mobile asking, “Why hasn’t he been arrested for murder?” I’m praying for justice for Angel Downs!
Murder #2
Just 2 days later on May 11th, Tuesday night about 7pm my granddaughter ran to tell me to turn on the TV and the house alarm. Her eyes were wide and scared, “a man just shot his wife in front of 4 kids and he’s on the loose.”
Mother shot to death in front of children 
Wendy Sue Stevens was hunted and shot multiple times by her estranged husband Michael Berry while she sat at an ATM at 6:45pm on May 11, 2010. In the car were her 4 children ages 3 to 13. There were witnesses who said they couldn’t believe what they had seen. The husband then fled and alluded police for several days. When Police caught him a few hundred yards from the scene of the crime, they immediately arrested him and charged him with murder. He was seen that night on TV smart mouthing the cameras. He showed no remorse and pled not guilty to capital murder.
Wendy did everything an abused woman is supposed to do. Michael Berry was arrested twice for violating the protection from abuse order. District Attorney John Tyson Jr said Wendy’s mother had also been threatened by Berry.
Wendy’s only escape was through death. Apparently her life was torture for more than 10 years. The DA's office states they intend to pursue the death penalty.
Ginger, her 11 yr old daughter told LOCAL 15 News that her mother is in a better place. "I'm trying to be happy and know that she's not in pain anymore." Obit.
In both these cases the women were victims only because they were women and vulnerable to abusive partners. It appears that Mr. Berry’s case is being pursued with all diligence we certainly hope that Angel Downs murderer receives the same level of justice.
UPDATE:
ReplyDeleteNodine was indicted yesterday and spent the night in jail. His bond is 500 thousand, he'll have to abstain from drugs and alcohol and wear an ankle monitoring bracelet, as well as stay away from the Downs family.
Yeah Finally!!!
LINK
/May-25-2010_12-50-am/
I would just like to say that my heart goes out to both families and especially the children of Wendy Stevens. I pray that God gives them peace and keep them sane. I also pray the same things for Angel Downs family. These are very sad cases indeed and proves that our justice system needs to do some homework and improve the laws on domestic violence. Wheter a life is taken or not, noone should have to live in fear because they feel they can't get help.
ReplyDeleteOne is Murder and one is Capital Murder...there is a difference
ReplyDeleteNodine: Why jail do records show him to still be in holding when everyone else that was arrested before and after him have been assigned a cell! He should go in a cell with everyone else! Quit treating him like he’s special!
ReplyDeletejail records are public information, and you can go to the site Click Here
i think nodine is innounce ms downs was not so nice i donot think where was her moral may be some one elee got her first
ReplyDeleteWest Palm Beach Post Article talks about Nodines past domestic violence charge.
ReplyDeleteClick LINK
Nodine's friend Tony Moore of Spot of Tea and Club Insanity speaks about his friend:
Click LINK
Sheriff believes death of Angel Downs resulted from ongoing domestic violence
ReplyDeleteClick Here
Nodine calls himself
ReplyDeletemy "The Hammer"
Tony Moore (Spot of Tea owner) also owns Club Insanity. Where I'll wager more than a few people buy and sell Lortab and maybe more. If he's Nodine's only friend, I'd say that's a tell.
Yes BOYCOTT SPOT of TEA and anywhere or anyone else who lifts a finger to help Nodine.
Where's the outrage over this? No matter what this coward left her to die. I wager much more than that.
He's a cheat, coward, thief, liar, addict, abuser and alleged murderer. Why would anyone want this guy as their friend?!
It makes me sick to hear about him going to a prayer group and his lawyer calling him a standup guy. NOT!!!
To keep up on this story go to TruTV Forum
ReplyDeletepromiscuity is not a crime and does not deserve death, but bad judgment puts people in danger from those who are unstable; risk takers who cheat, use drugs etc.should know they are accepting those risks. this beautiful woman could have found a great guy or gal her age to spend her life with but was seduced by money and power. it was a risk and she crapped out. happens every day in vegas
ReplyDeletei am sure that Sheriff believes death of Angel Downs......
ReplyDeletemobile prices in Pakistan
Cherry & Friends: Excellent article! Money and political influence speak louder than human decency! Modine will get what he deserves... in time. When people are playing with fire, particularly with someone of influence, all they see are the benefits and not the downside...or the fact that it will eventually come to no good. When it comes to emotions we are not our best guardians.
ReplyDeleteAs for the other perpetrator, ambushing his wife at an ATM with the children in the car.... He's the worse kind of evil... He's trash! My heart goes out to those children scarred for life!
Donna "Ladyjustice"
www.donnagore.com
I sure hope that her side of provocation, ball busting, cruelty and her own harassments come out in the trial. She was hardly a saint, but the media makes her look like that because she is a victim. The only way for Berry to be able to move on, without her stalking and being so cruel to him was to eleminate her. She took everything he loved and and even tho he tried to move on, she kept harassing him as well. She was a stripper when they met, so hardly an angelic being. I hate it for Mike Berry since she pushed him over the edge by not leaving him alone. He was a nice, passive person until her tactics of torment began. So before people judge and point fingers, remember THERE ARE ALWAYS TWO SIDES TO EVERY STORY! It takes two to wed and love and two to divorce and hate.
ReplyDeleteI could practically the same as to state that my heart goes out to both families and particularly the tykes of Wendy Stevens. I implore that God gives them peace and keep them reasonable. I additionally implore the same things for Holy messenger Downs family. The proposed are truly troubled cases in fact and shows that our equity framework should do some homework and upgrade the laws on domesticated violence. Wheter an essence is taken or not, noone may as well need to exist in trepidation on the grounds that they feel they could not venture to get serve some useful purpose.
ReplyDeleteI am fan of your writing. Thanks for posting this blog. you are great and keep it up. i will wait for your next blog.
ReplyDelete