Disturbia

By Lavinia Masters

There was a movie that came out in theaters May 2004, entitled Van Helsing. It was an American action horror film and a great film if I may add. The synopsis of the movie was that Van Helsing was a notorious monster hunter sent to Transylvania to stop Count Dracula who is using Dr. Frankenstein’s research and a werewolf for his sinister purpose. However the disturbing thing about me enjoying this movie is that even as a child I have always had a crippling fear of werewolves.

My fear for this half human-half monster was so great that the thought of me being outside on a full moon after midnight…was not an option. I even remember the time when my son was only 3 years old and I purchased him paisley curtains and bed covers because I felt that it was time for his room to reflect the big boy that he was. Well about the third night he woke up screaming and hollering there were werewolves in his curtains and in his bedcovers as he pointed to the detailed designs of the burgundy and blue paisley that I once loved and could not sleep in his room for the rest of the night. Needless to say the next morning the curtains, covers and bed sheets all had to be returned the next day not just for his fears but mine. How in the world did this child know my hidden fears? I never expressed this to him or around him…mainly because I did not want him to see my weakness but especially because I did not want him to develop the same fears. Although I still wrestle with whether or not werewolves really exist…you will not find me outdoors, after midnight when there is a full moon.

Last night I watched this movie again...in its entirety… alone as I was preparing the details of my annual “balloon release” in my continued efforts of raising awareness, education and empowerment to victims of sexual violence. I then began to read this blog about these two young girls out of the Houston area that was gang raped and killed in the early 90’s. The gory details of how these gang members attacked these girls as they walked home… were very upsetting and disturbing to me. I later found myself going off to sleep but before I did…I prayed for two things…one was that it be revealed to me why I am so disturbed with the thought of werewolves and two that the families of these young girls have peace after such tragedies and that the deaths of these two young victims were not in vain.

I woke up in the middle of the night sweating and kicking because of the dream that I was having. In my dream I was being chased and attacked by a gang that was trying to rape me. I remember that no one heard my screams as if everyone had purposely turned a deaf ear to me. There were people all around but no one reached out to help me as if they refused to see my danger. They locked their doors…they turned their heads and they continued to move on as if they did not see or care about my distress or immediate danger. I was devastated…how could people be so heartless in my time of need. How can others not care about anyone else but themselves especially when they are in need? Then the last question I asked myself…why was it a gang of men that was chasing me and not werewolves?

I sat up in my bed and just like the dawn of a new morning it came to me so clearly why I had the fear of man eating werewolves. My mind went back to the night before my grandmother’s funeral in ’81…all the children were over at my cousin's house in Waco, Texas and we were watching “American Werewolf in London”. Note my grandmother never allowed me to watch any kind of horror movies and pretty much shielded me from anything gross, violent or “unnecessary foolishness” as she called it. However if my cousins or big brother did happen to let me sneak a movie that I was not suppose to see…I knew that my “Maam-Maw” would be right there to protect me because she was not afraid of anyone or anything…not even a werewolf. However, as I went off to bed that night in ’81 another reality had sunk in…my granny would no longer there for me. So here I am almost 40 years later…just now understanding that I am associating my grandmother’s death with the terror of werewolves.

This is how I was able to so easily place myself in the nightmare of being gang raped by these young women's attackers...the protection and comfort that I would normally find in my grandmothers arms was no longer there. I was able to identify with the sudden terror of being taken away from loved ones and being attacked and mutilated only for the midnight hour to hear your silent screams. I had personally been there when I begged and pleaded for mercy and for the pain to stop but it seemed to have no end. I wanted help but no one heard or understood my cries…their ears were like those born deaf and their eyes were as if they were given sight without vision…and no one knew the words to comfort me or would use their voice to speak for me. Rape had become my werewolf and my flesh was not all that it wanted to destroy.

Before I went back to sleep last night I was grateful that I was able to overcome and heal from my own personal trauma from sexual violence but I also made a decree that werewolves will no longer disturb me after midnight, because I have the power to slay these half man-half monsters. I also have the power to make sure that these two young victims’ deaths will never be in vain because I will continue to be the eyes to see when things are wrong and need change when it comes to bringing justice to sexual violence…ears to hears the cries and fear of the victims when they cry for help and assistance after sexual trauma… and the voice that will speak out and against all sexual violence.

My grandmother may not be here in body but her spirit lives on. She has taught me many things at such an early age…one thing was that God did not give us a spirit of fear but of peace and a sound mind. I have to be courageous so that I may continue to slay the “werewolves” that prey upon and violate the innocent. This calling is not designated for one month out of the year but for every second out of a minute…there is a full moon rising…its late in the evening and there is much work for us to do. We have got to ask God to give us back our hearing, sight and voices…we need them so we can rescue victims that fall into sexual trauma. These type of occurrences have to be disturbing to you…we have to say enough is enough! We can’t willingly and knowingly continue to allow our children to be sexually abused by those that they are suppose to trust…we can’t continue to let innocent lives be snatched away like a vapor…we must hear their silent screams…we have to see their hidden pain and fears but most importantly we have to give them back their voice by speaking up and out against sexual violence!

I’m not asking you to become Van Helsing but I am asking you to wake up…someone has to work the night shift.

Lavinia Masters is the Founder of S.A.V.E. Ministry and has worked extensively with sexual assault and rape victims, assisting them towards healing.  She has spoken out on CNN and other news outlets, as well as at conferences globally about the need for quick response with DNA and rape kit testing results.

Exclusive War Coverage: The Murders of Stacy Peterson and Kathleen Savio

By Susan Murphy Milano



In March 1, 2004, there was no media coverage in the silencing of Kathleen Savio whose death was ruled "accidential."


Just blocks away from where Kathleen's body was discovered 2 1/2 years earlier, in October of 2007, another war erupted and Stacy Peterson was taken capitive again by the same predator, and serial abuser, former police Sergeant Drew Peterson.

The front page headlines would name both women in the search for the young wife and mother. Within 3 days the Will County State's Attorney's office would begin the legal process and exhume the body of Kathleen. The cases were now joined at the hip, you could not mention one woman without discussing the other. In Chicago it filled the front page headline's for months. But so did Drew Peterson's sudden thrust into the national spotlight. Within a week, Drew Peterson's was a household name and the two victims in the war of intimate partner homicide were refered and labled as wife #3 and wife #4.

Strangers, friends and family members worked tirelessly to keep the flame burning on each case, in particular because Stacy had vanished more emphasis was placed on finding her and brining her home. A site no longer available "findstacypeterson.com"with membership in the thousands, created by the family and friends of Stacy was the only place where the young wife and mother would be featured and information with updates would run 24/7. Other's sites such as Juror13 and Websleuths also carried round-the-clock coverage. The national media however would discard this young woman's life, including her conversations with Pastor Neil Schori, as though she were invisible. During this time Drew Peterson was reaching millions via Larry King Live, MSNBC, NBC Today, Good Morning America, Greta, Nancy Grace, Jane Valdez-Mitchell, CNN, Anderson Cooper, Bill O'Reilly, Geraldo, John Gibson, CBS Morning Show, Scared Monkey's Radio, NPR News, People Magazine, The National Enquirer among others. Peterson was prancing, smiling while and acting as though he had jumping beans under his chair in the studio's where he was interviewed while surrounded by the bright lights.

Within months the "catch me if you can" theme song would become Peterson's anthem. With words and lyrics compsed by the man of the hour himself. Verses in his song included "Stacy ran away, it's a bright new day, catch me if you can that's all I'm gonna say." The national media played Peterson's words like a hit record for 18 long months until he was finally arrested for the murder of Kathleen Savio.

Now, nearly 3 years after Stacy Peterson vanishes the Chicago Sun-Times decides to play his song again, only this time from behind bars while he awaits trial. Without any regard for the victims of war or their surviving family members. A jounalist by the name of Michael Sneed and the editors of the Chicago Sun-Times punish these two dead women, saying their voices and lives had no significance, printing his words in a letter authored by in my opinion, from the man whom murdered both Kathleen Savio and Stacy Peterson.

I realize the photo's from the crime scene when Kathleen Savio's body was found will likely never be released and kept under seal from the public. For three reasons:

1st-If you saw these particular photo's you would know by viewing them that she was beaten. Brusises covered her back, torso, arms, shoulders, stomach and legs. From the naked eye there was no doubt this was not an accident, Kathleen Savio was murdered.

2nd- The way her body was positioned in the tub is something commonly taught at the police academy, dipicting a staged crime scene.

3rd-Those investigators who looked away by not documenting her murder, thinking they were doing their fellow buddy in blue a favor, caused the killing of yet another innocent victim of war Stacy Peterson.

I for one would like the names of these so called investigators along with former State's Attorney Tomczak to be gathered together for a formal Senate investigation hearing for the "war on intimate partner homicide." I realize it will do nothing to give Stacy Peterson and Kathleen Savio back their lives. But it will do so much to prevent future casualities in this war. Peterson is a social and psychotic nightmare of the worst kind, and we can learn a great deal in talking, reviewing and analyzing what has and hasn't happened since the murders.

"If you are outraged by the Chicago Sun Time and their disregard for the families of Kathleen Savio and Stacy Peterson by making headlines of Drew Peterson's jailhouse letters, do your part and let them know by calling, emailing or faxing. Nothing will change unless action is taken. The columnist, Micheal Sneed and her editor, should know that by making decisions based on headlines and readership instead of integrity and ethics is one of the reasons the public fuels people like Drew Peterson."

Fax number to the Chicago Sun Times is 312-321-3084

Michael Sneeds direct email address is : msneed@suntimes.com

Andrew Hermann, Managing Editor 312-321-3000

Zach Finken, News Editor 312-321-3000

Living in Midtown Disturbia?

The first time I became aware of house arrest and ankle bracelets was watching the 2007 suspense thriller movie “Disturbia”. The lead young man “Kale”, played by Shai LeBeouf, went stir crazy because he was not allowed to leave his house. Kale is on house arrest for a minor infraction, the story has a beautiful girl and a murderer living next door. It’s a little like Rear Window with a twist. A very bored Kale decides to spy on his neighbors, one who just happens to be a serial killer. Hence the title of the movie “Disturbia” - after all even killers have to live next door to someone.

What Is House Arrest?

According to ehow.com - A arrest is an alternative form of incarceration in which the prisoner serves his or her sentence while in the confines of his or her home. House arrest is utilized in few cases. These cases usually involve a low degree of seriousness; thus, crimes such as murder and manslaughter usually do not qualify for consideration of house-arrest sentencing.

This is of course unless you live on Georgia St. in Midtown “Disturbia” where an accused murderer can live right next door. If you live in this neighborhood just don’t stumble across any secrets that could just cost you your life. Remember the quote from the movie, “He’s hiding something and he knows that we know that.”

In a "Life imitates Art far more than Art imitates Life" funny kind-of-way, Steve Nodine was recently released and placed on house arrest in Midtown Mobile, AL. Unlike Kale, Nodine is no young man (he turned 47 last week). He isn’t on house arrest for a minor infraction, he’s accused of murdering a beautiful woman named Angel Downs. The neighbors don’t like thinking they are living next door to an accused killer.

Stealth Steve - I like to Play

“Do you think he sees us?” “No but he feels us watching.” is what I imagine is being said between the media and law enforcement as they sit on stakeout watching Stealth Steve.

There’s been “Stealth Steve” sightings posted on Lagniappe FaceBook Page with interesting comments.

I just saw Nodine stroll into Spot of Tea with a "Y'all keep praying" sign-off to 2 greeters. Drove away in a mini- SUV after spending 3 minutes inside. Weds 6/23/2010

Nodine was spotted at Griffith Shell this morning filling up his interestingly-named Ford Escape. He was dressed for business and chatting up customers. Tues 6/22/2010 9:01am

Those who know of Nodine’s penchant for womanizing won’t think it odd that he may also be looking for a new pigeon to prey on - albeit online. Rumor is his Match.com ID might be Beach47M, and profile says “Lets get on with life. We all have issues and hurdels, so lets jump over them and enjoy life.” Comforting to think he’s so understanding, isn’t it?

Where else do you get this kind of entertainment?

Nodine has a visible Facebook page, complete with an orange glo Steve on Orange Beach (Man Tan) His sister Laura Coffey commented on Steve's status after July 6th. Something about her baking him a cake with toenail shavings in it. Steve's witty comeback was something like - probably but out of the joint with those toes shaving instead of file :)

The cake was in honor of Nodine’s 47th birthday. Gossip at the gas station was Steve was having a party at his new digs - Lynam’s house, with an open bar. It was reported that Steve wouldn’t be drinking, not because he’s turned over a new leaf, but because he can’t. Some say his GPS Bio Sensor ankle bracelet not only knows where he is but may also know and if he has any alcohol enter his system. Other's say it's not a bio-sensor just GPS. A small consolation (see questions below)

Last Fri night John Lynam was said to be entertaining the friends of Steve Nodine. Spare no expense. It’s costing John his regularly scheduled visitation with his own children. Isn't this a violation of the house arrest? Gas station talk and Facebook friends seem to know more about the goings on in the haunted house on Georgia street then the authorities. Does this haunted victorian house hold more twisted secrets? Here’s hoping it’s not a friendly ghost visiting Steve.

Nodine now has a website called Friends of Steve Nodine Legal Defense Fund soliciting funds for his attorney. Funny thing is there’s lots of pic’s of Steve but few photo’s of any friends (and shrinking). Sen. Richard Shelby and Jo Bonner have disappeared from the site. It was also reported the alleged friend who put up the site was very irate when it leaked out who he was. Seems the only friends who’ll make a personal appearance on Steve’s behalf are of questionable character. Imagine that?!

With no court date set the accused killer now has time now to sun on the deck, texting, emailing (so called) friends, play video games, build the tower of twinkie (from stalkers handbook) and look for virtual love on-line. Warning - he’s bored as hell ... don’t send him your pics!.

Can a leopard change his spots? I don’t think so. “There’s something seriously messed up here.” No more flashing a badge and pretending to be an officer but it won’t be long and he’ll be back in the spotlight. He just can’t help himself.

Support Justice for Angel Downs on Facebook - Unwavering commitment to convicting her killer.

I wish the media would cover this story more. Why is there not more transparency to the working of the justice system? I have a few questions about the Alabama House Arrest and Electronic Monitoring Programs.

• What is the Alabama Code covering House arrest program and electronic monitoring program? Who approves this program what board? (Note: Nodine Served on Alabama Sentencing Commission, 2004-2008.)
• If he is on restricted travel? How was he able to go into his friend's restaurant A Spot of Tea? His parole officer would have had to given prior approval. If not was he reprimanded or once again given special treatment?
  
• Nodine has had behavior patterns such as drug addiction, violence, flight risk, fed indictment and impeachment, I consider him to pose to great a risk to the community. How did he qualify for these programs? How could a judge with a good conscience allow him to qualify?
• What are the policies and procedures for House arrest and electronic monitoring programs? Who approves and implements the programs? Is it Federal? Are the cases being grouped together?
  
• What is the frequency of face-to-face and collateral contacts to ensure offenders’ compliance with the conditions of the House Arrest Program.
• Was Lynam's rented house approved as a stable residence? Did the owner of the home have to approve of the home being used as a branch of the jail? (Can a stable residence have a open bar party for the participant? Isn't home suppose to be gun, drug and alcohol free?)
• Is it a requirement that Nodine have stable employment as defined by Department rules and regulations? Is Nodine required to pay for the house arrest and electronic monitoring and what is it costing him? If he's not employed who is paying for it?
• What are the requirements for his participation and continued participation?
• What are the procedures for violations?
• Is Nodine attending classes or counseling as a ordered by the court?
• Is the ankle-worn device one that measures ingested alcohol through a sensor that rests firmly on the client's skin? Does it also have drug testing capability? If not how is he being tested and how often?
• Why wasn't Nodine arrested for impersonating an officer - a Class C misdemeanor.
  
• Didn't Nodine violate his duty to support the U.S. and Alabama Constitutions? Why not be charged?