Adventures with a True(ish) Crime Show

By Angela Dove

“Could you scream?”

“No.”

“Shout out?”

“No. I already told you. I just sat down.”

The director tapped her chin in thought. “But you cried, right? I mean, we could film you crying? Maybe collapsing onto your husband?”

I watched the match unfold between director and subject. This particular subject, Jacque MacDonald, had the home court advantage. Regardless of all the lights and cameras and sound equipment, this was still Jacque’s home. Jacque’s living room, to be exact. And she wasn’t about to mince words in her own home.

“I most certainly did not collapse,” she said, the London accent of her youth becoming stronger in her anger.

“I sat down. “

The director just didn’t get it. “But you were crying, right?”

Jacque expelled her breath all at once, probably in lieu of shouting. “I had just learned my daughter had been murdered. I was not crying. I was in shock. I sat down.”

The director nodded, her long ponytail bobbing up and down.  “Of course we want to be as truthful as possible—“

“—because it’s a ‘true crime’ show—“ Jacque cut in. I smiled at her.

“Yes,” said the director, unphased. “But what that means is that we present the truth of a situation, not necessarily every little detail.”

I started. Her words sounded exactly like a talk I’d given myself while writing about our family’s story  www.NoRoomForDoubt.com . The murder of Jacque’s daughter (my stepmother) had been the starting bell of a race that lasted for nine years, until Jacque’s efforts finally solved the case.  So much of it was important, but I couldn’t possibly include it all. I had condensed events. I had brought forth key characteristics of detectives and friends while leaving other details behind. But I knew not to change the details of the most gut-wrenching moment in Jacque’s life.

Anyone who spoken to many victims or survivors would understand the sanctity of the Moment. The moment when everything changes. The moment when all the rules are revealed to only be comfortable assumptions. No matter what your storytelling medium, you don’t tamper with the Moment.

Jacque had agreed to do this show because she hoped—as I did—that it could help other families struggling with their own cold cases. Having Jacque reenact her moment was bad enough, but this woman wanted . . . theater. She wanted to tantalize her viewers at Jacque’s expense. It was wrong.

“Let’s take a break,” I said, maneuvering through the cables snaking across Jacque’s carpet.

“I don’t understand this,” Jacque was saying. “I’ve done a lot of these shows, and I always tell the truth. What’s the matter with the truth? I was making tea. My husband returned a call to work. He came out again. He told me the phone call was really about Debi getting killed. I sat down—“

“You were making tea?” The director had let Jacque’s words wash around her while she stood dry on an island of indifference.  “I have an idea! Why don’t we show your husband talking to you, right? And you’re holding the tea pot on a tray, and you spill it—“

Finally, Jacque lost all composure. “I’m British!” she shouted. “The British do not spill their tea!”

The assistant producer (read “gopher”) was a caring soul who obviously understood more than her boss. She was making a bee-line toward Jacque with a glass of cold water. Together we steered Jacque toward the kitchen.

 “You’re right, Jacque,” the assistant said. She had soft curly hair, soft eyes, a soft smile. “We only want to tell your story. The real story.”

 “Has she lost a child?” Jacque fumed glaring toward the living room. “Has she been told her daughter was stabbed to death in her own home?”

I looked toward the director, who was too engrossed in a conversation with her crew to hear the angry grief spilling out of the kitchen. Still high and dry.

“Have some water, Jacque,” I said. She took a shaky sip. “Remember,” I told her. “If you don’t do it, they can’t film you doing it. That’s the biggest truth in the room right now. You’re in control of this situation.”

I didn’t care if the director heard me. I didn’t care if the assistant director was annoyed. What they didn’t understand, but what any survivor could tell them, is that one of the worst components of violent crime is the victim’s feeling of powerlessness. I’d heard Jacque say many times, “When that beast killed my Debi, he took control. But when we found him, I got my control back.” Sure, there were a hundred other emotions with which we all had to contend, but Jacque had the essence of it right there. The truth of the situation, as it were.

Jacque understood my meaning immediately, and we shared a moment apart from any busyness surrounding us. She nodded. Then she turned to the assistant director. “I know what you need, and I’m trying to help you get it,” she said. “I am cooperating, but I will not act in any way other than what I did that night."

I watched warily as the crew filmed Jacque sitting down in her shock and grief. Later, while Jacque was outside, I saw the director have her camera man film Jacque’s tea pot steaming away until its built in whistle screamed into the quiet of the kitchen. She had found her theatrical element at last.

# # #

Angela Dove [link to www.AngelaDove.com] is an award-winning humor columnist and author of the true crime memoir No Room for Doubt: A True Story of the Reverberations of Murder  She has appeared on three true crime shows since the book’s release, and is happy to say that the above incident was unique in its ickiness. 

How To Prevent A Loved One From Going Missing.

By Cynthia Caron

There is nothing worse than not knowing what happened to a missing loved one.  Just ask any family who is going through the daily fears and emotions.  It’s like a roller coaster ride that you cannot exit.  Is it possible to help prevent a loved one from going missing?  In some cases the answer is yes. Other times a loved one vanishes and there is no way that it could have been preventable.  However, let’s talk about ways that one can help prevent a loved one from going missing.

A common occurrence in the summer are those who go missing due to hiking, swimming or camping solo.  This is never a good idea. Always have a buddy with you.  If you want to hike alone, please bring the necessary emergency supplies that you may need in case something should happen and you may get lost.  Swimming in a lake or ocean is never a good idea to do alone. Too many possibilities exist in which one could have a medical episode, unknown prior, and become lost in the water and essentially drown. While camping is fun, and therapeutic, location is always important. Do not camp on mountain peaks that are close to ledges. There were two cases this past year of people who have actually rolled off cliffs during their sleep.  Also, the same as hiking.  Should one decide they are going on their own to please have emergency supplies, flares, and always let others know the location of where you will be.  Personally I advise to never go alone however I know many people may like the idea of just being with themselves for the quiet and calm of nature. 

Do not let your children lead you.  I cannot stress the importance of this statement.  Far too many children are spending nights at friend’s homes and their parents are not communicating.  Your child must always ask you for permission and it is the responsibility of adults to communicate with each other.  If a child wants to sleep at your home, you have an obligation (legally) to chat with the child’s parents to verify and obtain permission.  Too many times children are reported missing and law enforcement is used when it was a matter of non communication between the adults.

Never let children walk to and from friends homes alone. This should be a no-brainer, however, even in the best of neighborhoods a predator can happen upon a child who is alone.

Cell phones are very important. Always enable your child/teen to have their cell phone. Never ground them and remove their phones when they are away from home. If they are grounded from cell phone use, always give it back to them should they go outside.  Cell phones can be a great GPS tracker should your child be missing. Unfortunately, disposable cell phones do not have this feature. Add your children to your present phone plan and be sure they have a phone that has GPS capabilities. By merely keeping their cell phone on can help aid in locating them.  There are also a number of cell phones that you can actually track your child while they are out.

Always know who your children are with at all times.  Know the parents. Know Who, What, Where and When anytime your child ventures out for an outing.

Who are you going with?

What are the plans?

Where are you going?

When is the outing and what time is it over?

Make it a weekly habit to check for registered sex offenders in your neighborhood. You can even sign up to be notified when one moves in. See:http://www.familywatchdog.us/

For single moms, and dads, it’s critical that any boyfriend that you bring to your home that you have a complete background check BEFORE bringing them. This can cost as little as $25.00 and is vital for the safety of your children.  Regardless of who it is…or how you met…ALWAYS do a background check before putting your children into the lives of someone else.

For those who have cognitive disabilities, such as  Alzheimer’s, autism or other disorders are prone to wandering and could become a missing loved one.  There are a number of products that you can purchase to help keep you alerted to the possibility of your loved one who may wander.  Some of these items can be found under Products at http://www.lostnmissing.com . At the same time, take advantage of a free registry in which you can pre-register those who may possibly wander and become missing at www.missingpatient.com . Should they go missing, all the vital information is held and can be transmitted to your local police department within moments so that a search can proceed.

When adults want to go out to have a good time, always have a designated driver and ALWAYS stay in groups at all times. Young men and women can go missing by circumstances not of their own choice.  Statistically it is much more difficult for an abduction to occur when in groups.  Many times people think only children are abducted. This is not true. Adults are abducted, as well.  There have been a large increase of adults being abducted for use of their ATM card and even being murdered following. This is a terrible crime to happen and in some cases can be prevented if one does not venture off alone or stays in groups.

Sometimes it is not always possible to have a buddy.  In those cases, it is always helpful to have mace, a stun gun or to take a self-defense course.  There are many who work late and may need to walk to their car alone.  Be prepared in case you’re approached.

Staying safe is important. Keeping your loved ones safe is always important. There is no need to be overly paranoid…just a bit of common sense and safety measures can mean the difference between arriving home safely and becoming a missing loved one.  You are important to your family and they to you… let’s help keep each other safe.

What Is Justice……

By Lavinia Masters

What is the true meaning of justice and how is it really defined? The dictionary states that justice is the quality of being just; righteousness, equitableness, or moral rightness: to uphold the justice of a cause or the administering of deserved punishment or reward. In regards to our justice system the courts like to display the symbol of “Lady Justice”, the Roman Goddess of justice, most often depicted with a set of scales typically suspended from her left hand, upon which she measures the strengths of a case's support and opposition. She is also often seen carrying a double-edged sword in her right hand, symbolizing the power of Reason and Justice, which may be wielded either for or against any party. Finally she is also shown wearing blindfolds which is done in order to indicate that justice is (or should be) meted out objectively, without fear or favor, regardless of identity, money, power, or weakness: blind justice and blind impartiality. But I ask you… is this always the case?

I recently listened to the news of Pro Football Hall of Famer, Lawrence Taylor being indicted by the grand jury in New York on the charges of third degree rape and patronizing a prostitute and I went numb. Then remembering back just a few months ago, in March I believe, there was another pro football player, Ben Roethlisberger, which was accused for the second time in less than a year of a sexual assault of a young lady in a night club but for some reason, that is still unclear to me, the DA dropped the charges due to insufficient evidence however at that time I was livid.

Being an advocate and survivor of sexual assault you have a tendency to want to see all rapists suffer for the crimes against innocent victims but there are times in this walk that you question your purpose and the fight. Although I have never been a fan of football or any other sport for that matter I have been intrigued to follow the behavior and the actions of some of these “star athletes” and the power that their money and fame gives them. Here we have two athletes brought up on the same charges just months apart and one gets indicted and faces up to 4 years in prison while the other walks away only with suspension and resumes his position and status as a star football player….hmmm…so I ask the question again…what is justice and how is it defined?

I wrestled with each case over and over again and my spirit was not only restless but my heart was in despair. You see I am one that thinks about the victim in these situations and all the pain and suffering that they have to endure as those that “have” or are of the “elite” are allowed to use and abuse them and still walk away with their pride and dignity because they are sorry that they got caught! Yet still in the comparing these two cases I could not rest.

At first I thought maybe because Lawrence or “L.T.” is an ex pro football player or a “has been” pro line backer according to today’s society while Ben or “Big Ben” is still playing and considered one of Americas greatest football quarterbacks; as the reason their cases were handled differently. Then there is the issue of Lawrence being caught in New York where they possibly punish athletes harsher for sex crimes versus the state of Georgia where Ben was accused. However maybe it was the whole idea that Lawrence smeared the image of his football career long ago when he was caught using and imprisoned for drugs charges because Ben was only accused of sexual assault before in Nevada but it never materialized. Wait! I got it… the young lady that Lawrence got involved with was underage and the young women that Ben was accused by were old enough to know what they were doing!

I hope as you are reading this you detect my sarcasm and frustration as I am disturbed that after all we do as advocates as far as speaking out against rape and abuse, changing and enforcing laws, lobbying legislation and supporting survivors all with blood, sweat and tears we are continuously let down by our “Lady Justice”. It seems that her scales that are meant to measure the strength of a case’s support and opposition is always off balance…her sword that is suppose to symbolize power of reason and justice must be hollow and made of aluminum because it is dull and has no power…and the blindfolds that cover her eyes to make justice blind or impartial regardless of identity, money, power, or weakness should be removed because maybe then she will be able to see true justice and just how unfair she has really been.

Just because I am not a fan of football or sports it does not make me a hater of atheletes. There have been some stellar athletes with stellar backgrounds and character and they should be commended. However when you have athletes that cross the line of being a “role model” for some… to a monster to others…I have a strong concern and the message that should be conveyed to them that these type of behaviors will not be tolerated should be expressed equally and fairly across the board and from state to state. No one is or should be any greater or less than when it comes to sexual assault. The trauma that sexual assault brings a victim is the same for all and the due process and punishment phase that comes to accuser should be equally so.

I pray for all these young women that have suffered at the hands of our “elite” athletes in America. I pray that they can begin to heal and restore their lives after such trauma. I do not care if you are a prostitute, an alcoholic, drug abuser, run away, or a young woman in the wrong place at the wrong time…that does not give anyone the right to violate or assault you. You are still a human being and you still have the right to say “No” no matter your circumstance and you should not have to feel that because someone is of a fortune or fame status that they are above you or the law and can do whatever and whenever they want to you and get away with it. Unfortunately our “Lady Justice” continues to send these mixed messages and as long as she does I have decided not to lose heart or faint but I will press on until I find the true meaning of justice because in my heart I know what it is or at least what it should be.

Why You Only Remember The Good Stuff of a Bad Relationship--Part II

By Sandra L. Brown

Last time I began discussing the reasons why women have a difficult time "remembering the bad aspects of the relationship." 

Women describe the sensation of only remembering the good times, the good feelings and being 'fuzzy' or sort of forgetting all the bad things he has done when they think of him. This process seems to be triggered by an emotional feeling (such as longing or loneliness) AND/OR by a memory or hearing his voice, seeing an email, etc. 

Last time we also discussed how good and bad memories are stored in the brain differently. Good memories are stored upfront and easily accessed. Bad memories are stored and compartmentalized in the mind and are harder to access (think of, for instance, child abuse memories and how people so often repress or forget these memories). 

This article we are going to talk about ANOTHER reason why you only remember the good stuff of a bad relationship. (This is covered in detail in the book 'Women Who Love Psychopaths.') The second reason is based on our own biological hardwiring. We are wired with a pleasure base that is called our Reward System. We associate pleasure with being rewarded or something 'good.' We are naturally attracted to pleasure. The pathological (at least in the beginning) stimulates the pleasure base and we associate that with a 'reward'-- that is, we 'enjoy his presence.' 

Pathologicals are also often excessively dominant and strong in their presence, something we have gone on to call 'Command Presence.' What we enjoy in him is all the good feelings + his strong dominate command presence. Being rewarded by his presence AND experiencing the strength of that presence registers as pleasure/ reward. Although he later goes on to inflict pain, pleasure or good memories, as we saw last time, are stored differently in the brain. 

Our brains tend to focus on one or the other and we have a natural internal 'default' to lean towards remembering and responding to our Reward System and pleasure. On the other hand, memories associated with punishment or pain are short lived and stored differently in the brain. They can be harder to access and 'remember.' When you experience pleasure with him (whether it's attention, sex, or a good feeling) it stimulates the reward pathway in the brain. This helps to facilitate 'extinction' of fear. 

Fear is extinugished when fear is hooked up with pleasant thoughts, feelings, and experiences (such as the early 'honeymoon' phase of the relationship). When fear + pleasant feelings are paired together, the negative emotion of the fear gives way to the pleasant feelings and the fear goes away. Your Reward System then squelches your anxiety associated with repeating the same negative thing with the pathological. 

The memories associated with the fear/anxiety/punishment are quickly extinguished. For most people, the unconscious pursuit of reward/pleasure is more important than the avoidance of punishment/pain. This is especially true if you were raised with pathological parents in which you became hyper-focused on reward/pleasure because you were chronically in so much pain. Given that our natural hardwired state of being is tilted towards pleasure and our Reward System, it makes sense as to why women have an easier time accessing the positive memories. 

Once these positive memories become 'intrusive' and the only thing you can think about is now the good feelings associated with the pathological, the positive memories have stepped up the game to obsession and often a compulsion to be with him despite the punishment/pain associated with him. 

These two reasons why bad memories are hard to access have helped us understand and develop intervention based on the memory storage of bad memories and the reward/punishment system of the brain. If you struggle with the continued issue of intrusive thoughts and feel 'compelled' to be with him or pursue a destructive relationship...you are not alone. This is why understanding his pathology, your response to it, and how to combat these over- whelming sensations and thoughts are part of our retreat/psycho- educational program. 

Remembering only the good can be treated!

The Blame Game

By Gaetane Borders 

 June 25, 2009 is the date that one of the most iconic people in the world passed away.  His name was Michael Jackson.  He was a former child star whose celebrity grew to such proportions that other stars felt sorry for him about the amount of scrutiny he received from the media.  As the 1^st anniversary of his death approaches, more drama ensues….mirroring the life that he once led. 


As if on cue, just a few days ago Michael’s father, Joe Jackson, accused his estranged wife of not doing enough to prevent their son’s death.

He described the scene shortly after the news was confirmed that Michael was dead in a recent interview with News of The World:

“Katherine was weeping uncontrollably and highly upset. But I didn’t give her a hug because I was mad at her crying.

“I said, ‘If you had listened to me Michael would be living now!’ I kept thinking about the times I had stood in front of her saying something was wrong.”

“I couldn’t bottle up my feelings. Katherine didn’t say a word – I had to get away from her. If she’d done what I asked, Michael would be here today. I am incensed with her. She could have made a difference.”

Katherine Jackson’s attorney swiftly issued a statement saying, “Joe Jackson's statements and conduct toward Mrs. Jackson are outrageous. The world knows Mrs. Jackson has always been a loving and caring mother and grandmother, and she had a very special relationship with Michael. The world also knows who Joe Jackson is and he seems bent on never letting us forget.” 


My goodness!  What a circus, and what a travesty.  During all the he said/she said drama that is playing out in the media, I do think that it is important to note that behaviors and personalities do not develop in a vacuum.  Rather, most experts agree, that they are the result of a combination between experiences and genetics (ie. Nature vs. nurture).  In Michael’s own words, his father’s severe parenting style caused him such anxiety that as an adult he was nauseous whenever his father was near.  Michael also described how his father teased him about his looks, and how this affected his self-esteem.  Now, I fall short of saying that these experiences single handedly caused the eccentric personality that Michael seemingly turned out to be, or his alleged drug addictions.  However, there is no doubt that they affected the person that Michael became.



What this Jackson family drama has helped to showcase is that despite having millions of dollars in an account, they still experience the ills that affect any average family.  In fact, despite the demonstrative manner in which it was done by Michael’s father, playing the blame game is a common occurrence that happens between parents after the death of a child.
According to the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy, parents often experience more anger, depression, guilt, and physical symptoms than those grieving other losses. The “conflict can occur between the parents due to lack of understanding about each person's way of expressing grief. Marital problems, which were present before the child's death, can re-emerge, often with increased strength. Blaming can occur and the words that are said to each other in anger and grief can have a lifelong impact.”


The AAMFT recommends the following:

• Keep a journal; sometimes it is helpful to put down in words what you are feeling and thinking.
• Talk about your child, if you want to. Although it may be painful, it can help you heal.
• Take time to do a familiar activity with your family. This helps to provide stability when your world is feeling chaotic.
• Join a support group; parents often respond that becoming involved in bereavement groups helped them through their loss and with their relationship.
• Seek therapy when you, or others close to you, feel that your grief is becoming too difficult to bear, or is too prolonged.

I sincerely hope that Michael’s father carefully analyses his previous allegations hard enough to see just how damaging and hurtful his statements are to both his estranged wife and his other children.  Instead of focusing on what others may have done wrong, I encourage him to take time to reflect on his own actions (or inactions).  After all, you know what they say….when you point a finger at someone else, you have three others pointing back at you.  I’m just saying……. 
 

The Two-Faces of Steve Nodine; Politician and accused murderer of Angel Downs

GOOD	EVIL
Served on Alabama Sentencing Commission	Accused Murderer
Politician- Family Values Platform	Liar - impeached
Condemned Clinton for womanizing	Adulterer
Worked with aides babies	Drug and Alcohol Abuser
Help seniors and firemen	Batterer
US Army Serviceman	Stalker
Friend of Alexander Haig	Thief
Father and Husband	Neglectful
Prayer requests	Non-church attendee - hypocrite

Steve Nodine, "The Hammer" was cocked and fired allegedly killed long time girlfriend, Angel Downs, on Mother’s Day at her home in Gulf Shores.

More women are victimized at their home by their intimate partners and killed with firearms than all other means combined. Jurors expect domestic violence victims to accept responsibility and leave batterers. Most murders occur when that happens and we know Angel Downs was trying to end the abusive relationship with Stephen Nodine.

We struggle to understand the offender’s motives and ask, “Why did he do it?” Some comment Steve Nodine was a “good man,” he did much to help the Mobile community. He did his job as County Commissioner well. It is a societal myth that niceness cannot coexist with violence, or evil; consequently the “good” guy must not be a murderer.

I would like to point out that all of Steve Nodine’s pro-social “goodness” has in fact benefited him each time. Being “good” was his best camouflage. This was how he manipulated the public and his victims by being “good”. The good deeds are so the public vouches for his trustworthiness. His victims are then lulled into trusting him because he is “good.”

Angel lost her life because of her trusting him. She had lived through many other attacks by this batterer and he escaped arrest, when law enforcement was called to intervene, by using his “good service” as County Commissioner.

Repetitious physical assaults of the past relationship were accelerated and even justified allegedly by Nodine, because of the termination attempted by Angel. “What’s past is prologue” (William Shakespeare, The Tempest, Act II, Scene I).

When a woman is repeatedly battered, yet unable to flee the traumatic situation even when escape is apparent and possible, the result is learned helplessness.

Battering and stalking by definition are not static but an evolving, continual and progressive crime. Requiring a “course of conduct” over a period of time demonstrating a continuity of purpose. Nodine allegedly repeated the harassing, threatening and abusive behavior to give the appearance of power and control.

• Prior threats/violence with current victim and prior victim
• Prior stalking behaviors
• Criminal history
• Mental disorder or mental illness history
• Drug/alcohol abuse
• Weapons possession/use/access to
• Threatened suspect
• Presence or absence of inhibitors (inhibitors are factors that may prevent the suspect from acting out violently. I.e., family, friends, job, health, reputation, etc.)
• Proximity to significant dates, such as anniversaries, holidays, birthdays, etc.

We now have the facts that Steve Nodine has two faces. One for the public and the other, his true face he kept somewhat hidden. Steve Nodine is a skillful manipulator, he and his defense will try to focus on Angel Downs’s behavior not his. He may say it was an accident. It will be up to the prosecution to expose all signs of planning in Nodine’s behavior. Hopefully the jurors will find Nodine has committed acts that are abhorrent and anti-social, rather than engage in victim blaming of Angel Downs.

Why did he do it? Steve Nodine’s character traits motivate his offenses. We know from public records Nodine has an alleged criminal, narcissistic, or otherwise interpersonally-and-socially-compromised personality, he can be motivated to offend for a variety of reasons. He may lack the internal barriers that prevent offending, like guilt, remorse, empathy, or compassion. He may maintain a belief system, which devalues the rights of others and overvalues his rights. Nodine's evil face shows alleged indifferent to the pain, suffering, injury or humiliation of others. He may also feel the rules of society don’t apply to him, as his womanizing, pill-popping, pot smoking, stalking, battering and general unlawfulness seems to support.

Angel Downs knew Steve Nodine’s evil face and she had tried to expose and escape it. He did not want to lose control of her and possibly all he had worked for, if this came out. There were already nicks in his shining public armor from his drug arrest.

Did he try to prove he really was “good” and take her to the beach she loved on Mother’s Day? Maybe he feigned to say good-bye and end it? Did he leave his wallet at her house on purpose? Did he call her? Asking her to bring his wallet out to the truck? Did he then shoot her in the head?

Nodine has already began his "sympathy" defense which includes his less than ideal childhood, his absent father, brother with a brain injury, sister who was run over, mother who worked 3 jobs, and a bad hip, He has been victim blaming Angel telling Doctors she had a Romeo and Juliet death wish. Funny he didn't hear the shots fired (though the neighbors did) nor did he stop to help her. According to his phone records the only time he isn't talking or texting is the 60 mins after Angel's murder. Emails released show Nodine to be a batterer using his badge to intimidate and his addiction pushing over the edge. (Check out Peter Hyatt's statement analysis of emails) Angel was deathly afraid of him and even dreamed of him killing her.

Steve Nodine’s most powerful tool he will use in his defense is to be “good.” A “good man” doesn’t fit society’s image of a murderer. Society also wants them to be strangers. The fact is: MOST ARE NOT. “Goodness” is a powerful weapon. When someone is good, it is difficult to confront him or mistrust him.

Nodine’s camouflaged “goodness” has fallen apart. His character witnesses have been proven to be either near-strangers or alleged criminals. Nodine is trying to rely on societal biases and stereotypes about, “murderers.”

Look at the above chart contrasting Nodine’s “good” behavior against his "evil" behavior. Remember he is counting on society to perpetuate that niceness cannot coexist with violence, or evil; consequently the “good” guy must not be guilty of the alleged murder of Angel Downs.

Hopefully prosecutors will be able to expose Nodine and portray the so called “good” guy” as the evil murderer they allege he is.

Sadly Nodine has recently been released on bail. Hopefully not for long.

Friends of Steve Nodine

Nodine's attorneys are solicitating funds using photo's of Nodine's 13 year old son (many photos were when Nodine was having affair with Angel Downs) and President George W. Bush and various other politicians for Nodine's defense. He never mentions it is for MURDER. The site is called FriendsofSteveNodine.com and Paypal is the choice of payment as no local bank would agree to open a defense fund for Nodine.

Join us on Facebook as we Support Justice for Angel Downs.

Listen to the Dana Pretzer show on Scared Monkeys Radio with special guests WKRG Reporter Jessica Taloney and famous True Crime Author Diane Fanning discuss the Angel Downs murder case on 6/13/2010.

CRIMEWIRE 6/22/2010 at 8pm discusses the Nodine case with expert Peter Hyatt statement analysis of Caylee Anthony and Susan Smith fame. Along with Mobile journalist Kevin Lee of Lagniappe. Along with the rest of the expert team Dennis Griffin, Vito Collucci and Susan Murphy-Milano. you may listen on-line, podcast or call in to listen or contribute at (646) 478-0982

Steve Nodine on Dipity.

References

1. Adams, D. Why Do They Kill? Men Who Murder Their Intimate Partners. Nashville, TN: Vanderbilt University Press, 2007.
2. When Men Murder Women: An Analysis of Homicide Data Sept 2009 www.vpc.org
3. Bible, A., and A. Weigl. “Cries of Abuse Unheeded, Assaults Rise to Murders.” News and Observer [Raleigh, NC], May 18-20, 2003, quoted in A. Klein, The Criminal Justice Response to Domestic Violence. Belmont, CA: Thomson/Wadsworth, 2004: 139.
4. Block, C. “Risk Factors for Death or Life-Threatening Injury for Abused Women in Chicago.” Final report for National Institute of Justice, grant number 96-IJ-CX-0020. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice, 2004, NCJ 199732. http://www.ncjrs.gov/App/Publications/abstract.aspx?ID=199732
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