The phone rings around the clock. Families from all walks of life looking for someone to listen and help them find their missing child, sister, brother, daughter, mother, grandmother, father or friend. On the other the voice answers "Cue Center, Monica speaking."
If the person's case is not registered with the Cue Center for Missing Persons, Monica Caison or a volunteer explains the process to the caller guiding them to either fill out the forms on line or if they do not have access to a computer, they are mailed directly to the person. Once the forms are completed and the case is registered, the work begins.
Since 1994, this dynamo of a woman has helped thousands of families across the country recover their missing loved ones. Last week while returning from Mineral Wells Texas on a search for Krishonda Townsend, 19 years of age, who went missing on July 4, 2010, she got a call while on her way back from that search, literally turning her car around and headed on another missing persons case with her agency, Crystal Gayle Soles from Andrews, South Carolina.
Crystal Soles, 28, had been missing since Jan. 24, 2005. Her mother said at the time of her daughters disappearance that Crystal called her father from the Shaw’s Corner Store in Andrews saying she was on her way home. She never made it home that night. Last week, Monica Caison who headed up the search along with dive teams, law enforcement and volunteers, recovered her remains and brought her home.
The work of the Cue Center gives families hope. What the public does not see behind the scene's is the care and devotion given to each missing person's case and the family. Before a search, Monica and her team for weeks, pour over maps in the area. They work closely with law enforcement and strategically plan out the area where the person was last known to be seen. Orchestration of horses, specially trained cadaver dog teams along with trained volunteers cover to eliminate miles of ground during each search and rescue. Food and water is donated to feed the workers. Hotel and travel arrangements are made. All prior to arrival. Family members of the missing loved one are not allowed to participate. Instead, they are provided a loving and caring setting by the Cue Center and wait nearby hoping for news that their loved one was found.
Monica Caison and the Staff at the Cue Center is made up of all volunteers. No one draws a paycheck, including its' founder, Monica. During the past several months I have come to know the many of the families registered with agency. The work they accomplish for each individual family of the missing is incredible.
Monica Caison and the Cue Center shows us all that with shear passion and determination for families and their missing loved ones, she is not only their hope, but in my opinion, the brightest star in the universe!
Join us for our upcoming national conference for missing persons and all who work in the arena from advocating, volunteerism, investigation, search and rescue and identification process of those who are lost.
The murder trial for Angel Downs begins right after the Thanksgiving holiday.
On May 9, 2010, 45 yr. old realtor, Angel Downs, was found shot in the head in her front yard in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Neighbors heard shots fired and saw former (very married) boyfriend and elected Mobile County Commissioner, Steve Nodine, leaving the scene in his county provided red pickup truck.
This guy is facing more federal charges than buckets on a bozo show. Sadly, in between federal gun charges, drugs, corruption, bribery, and whatever else I missed, the most important is the cold blooded and pre-meditated murder, in my opinion, of Angel Downs, whom he stalked, threatened, and, according to eye witnesses, shot.
Combined, these are heavy criminal acts of a person elected into office. It was a surprise that this "Alabama dickless wonder" had been granted bail! With a GPS bracelet, (what a joke) Stephan Nodine has been on "house arrest." He lives in an historic neighborhood, allegedly having parties with open bars, going to salons, courting women online (on sites such as Match.com) , getting possible paramours to drop by and meet him at church, all while his parole officer (Clay Marsal) refuses to cite him for violations. Then, we have those holding the reins of local media suddenly abstain from telling the public or doing an informative investigation about Stephen Nodine's blatant disregard for the law.
It was no surprise that when our own crime advocate and writer, Cherry Simpson, learned of this dangerous repeat offender's various freedoms in a community where she lives with her family, she was outraged. First, to think that a murderer, (sorry, in my opinion!) is walking into the same grocery store, salon, pharmacy, bank or gas station, where other women could fall prey, as he is trying to pick them up in the fruit section of a grocery store or when they are having a manicure, I would not feel very safe. Neither did Cherry Simpson, especially when the county was not properly monitoring the activities of "lady killer Stephen Nodine."
Cherry created a "Support Justice for Angel Downs" page, speaks to the woman's family and friends in order to have more media attention placed on the crime in hopes of removing the headline of "mistress" associated with a murder victim, and to ensure justice is properly served given the political climate and Nodine's unique ability in the art of deception.
Cherry Simpson wrote on "Time's Up!," spoke out, and was on a radio show or two regarding the murder. In July a radio show was scheduled, with members of the Downs family and Cherry Simpson, to discuss Angel and give her a voice because she had been silenced by a man who made a living at "killing with a borrowed knife." The family was threatened not to appear on the radio show, but the show went on and we went ahead with the broadcast, without the scheduled guests.
To "kill with a borrowed knife” means borrowing other people's power to help you eliminate a threat. When you lack power or don’t want to reveal yourself, you will borrow a "knife" (from an outside force) to eliminate a threat. By doing this, you are using other people's power for your own gain.
Cherry Simpson began as advocate/activist for victims of crime after her daughter was handcuffed, raped and severely beaten in 2006 by her former son-in-law. In 2008, when her former son-in-law was scheduled for early release from State prison in Illinois, she contacted me. I scheduled a meeting with the Will County State's Attorney and implemented various strategies, which included the media, ensuring her daughter's life remained safe without the threat of continued violence, or perhaps death.
Once her daughter's case closed and the person responsible sentenced by a judge, Cherry Simpson embarked on a road to assist others, including families of missing persons and cold cases. She tasted the victory of justice and Cherry Simpson wanted the same for other parents whose cries for help fell on deaf ears, often marked by a headstone in a grave yard. In December of 2009, just weeks after she became a writer here on "Time's Up!," her niece, Lacey Gaines, was brutally murdered. She continues to work on Lacey's case, keeping it in the public eye, until the person responsible is arrested and brought to justice.
Now, in my opinion, Cherry Simpson is being threatened, harassed and victimized by the defense attorneys representing Stephen Nodine in the upcoming December trial for the murder of Angel Downs.
Cherry and Larry Simpson were served a subpoena by Nodine's defense team demanding they appear at 8:30 a.m. on December 3, 2010 in Baldwin County, Alabama. This translates into a victims advocate publicly paying for blog writing activities and for trying to keep Nodine under a larger public spotlight. Why? Because they are angry for bringing national attention a case which they would like to stay quiet.
This is certainly a lot more attention given by authorities than what Angel Downs received while she was alive.
Angel tried to have police reports written and secure an order of protection from the courts; she was tired of the staking and threatening texts. Angel Downs spoke with high ranking officers for help and no one listened. Why? People with influence, power, and money almost always get away with, yes, even murder, until they are finally caught.
At first I thought ordering Cherry Simpson and her husband to appear in court for the defense could be a good thing for the murder case, but it's not for Cherry and her family. They must jump through hoops in their professional lives to show up and testify. For Angel Downs, this is a victory. This blog is responsible for the mainstream media focusing on the case. It also in my expert opinion outed the criminal activity of a serial offender, Stephen Nodine.
I would recogonize and thank others who worked along side Cherry Simpson, but they would also be served with a subpoena by the defense team representing Nodine.
A personal message to Mr. Nodine, from me, enjoy your Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays it will be your last until you are found guilty and sent to prison.
(Susan Murphy Milano is with the Institute for Relational Harm Reduction & Public Pathology Education. For more information visit http://www.saferelationships.com/ She is the author of "Time's Up A Guide on How to Leave and Survive Abusive and Stalking Relationships," available for purchase at the Institute, Amazon.com and wherever books are sold. Susan is the host of The Susan Murphy Milano Show, "Time's Up!" on http://www.herewomentalk.com/ and is a regular contributor to the nationally syndicated The Roth Show with Dr. Laurie Roth on http://www.therothshow.com/)
Over 100 poster's on the reward money offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of "those" (notice the plural here) responsible for the murder of Sheila Deviney were placed in windows of businesses all across town.
Today, more than half of the reward signs have been removed or torn down. I learned that people in the town of Lindsay, Oklahoma have been threatened to "remove the signs or else."
It seems that the ex-husband of Sheila Deviney, resides in Lindsay, OK, and rumor has it that the towering former football star has been " allegedly" threatening business owners to take these signs down or damage could happen to their property. Well I guess if I were a business owner in that neck of the woods, I might be scared, too. I would not want to see my business torched or damaged because I didn't listen. And the towns folk with good reason are scared so they are doing as they are told. Did I mention that this alleged killer is a volunteer little league football coach for the Lindsay, OK school district.
Shiela Deviney, 30, died on January 6, 2004, when her mobile home, located about one mile east and one mile south of Maysville, Oklahoma, burned to the ground. She was murdered. It should be no surprise that Sheila had been married to an abusive, controlling man. They had a court date over past-due child support scheduled the next day. According to eye witnesses, her ex-husband was at the home, although by law not allowed on the premises. He and others according to recorded, notarized and sworn affidavit statements I have in a secure location as of this past weekend from eye witnesses attest to certain individuals leaving Sheila's property as flames jumped into the sky. Witnesses say those person's allegedly destroyed evidence and took items from the home.
Recorded information and facts on this case was also first broadcast in detail on August 2, 2010, during the Intimate Partner Homicide Investigation radio show with Sheryl, McCollum, Holly Hughes.
It seemsOSBI, Sheriff Steve Brooks and Garvin County Prosecutor Greg Mashburn have done everything in their powers to keep not only this case, but the Chanda Turner and Tom Horton cases from being re-opened, investigated and those responsible prosecuted. The latest in the Sheila Deviney case is that the state wants to destroy the tissue samples by the year 2012, per this Fox News 25 report earlier in the week: Click Here.
Perhaps someone from the Department of Justice can accompany me on my visit next week when I attend back to back events and press conferences in an attempt to have these 3 murder cases finally open for an official investigation. I would also ask for the State Police to be near by, for I am told, allegedly of course, if I go to Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, I could be carried out in a body bag.
(Susan Murphy Milano, is also with the Institute for Relational Harm Reduction & Public Psychopathy Education for more information visit http://www.saferelationships.com/ and is the author of the new book "Time's Up A Guide on How to Leave and Survive Abusive and Stalking Relationships available for purchase at the Institute, Amazon.com and where ever books are sold.)
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
On May 9, 2010 45 yr. old realtor, Angel Downs, was found shot in the head in her front yard in Gulf Shores, AL. Neighbors heard shots fired and saw former boyfriend and elected Mobile County Commissioner Steve Nodine leaving the scene in his county provided red pickup truck.
After hours of deliberation the grand jury - classified it as a murder, not a suicide as implied by Steve Nodine, the lone suspect. Initial reports of forensics and autopsy reports have said suicide was unlikely. The Defense regularly leaks erroneous information to the media. Angel was taken to the hospital in 2006 – it was determined that it was not an attempted suicide but a possible problem with her medication. The Defense has also stated publicly that the autopsy found drugs in Angel’s system. Angel had to take medication just to stay alive everyday. The sad fact is this is NOT a search for the truth.
Our justice system does more to uphold criminal rights than it does victim’s rights. It means criminals should be prosecuted in a just way. It doesn’t mean letting the criminal lie, cheat or manipulate his way out of the truth, or God forbid coddling him at the expense of the victim!
How many of us remember the names of the Ted Bundy’s victim’s? You don’t - but you remember Ted Bundy’s name. It's high time that we remember the names and the lives of the VICTIMS and not the accused murderers like Drew Peterson and Steve Nodine!
If we speak about what a kind and loving person Angel was the Defense may say they can’t get a fair trail for the accused murderer, because Angel is spoken of too nicely. However Steve Nodine can tell other's he's writing a book and develop a PowerPoint Presentation of his good deeds to show the world his softer side.
In Wendy Murphy’s book “AND JUSTICE FOR SOME: An Expose of the Lawyers and Judges Who Let Dangerous Criminals Go Free” she tells how defendants (criminals, the accused) are taken care of by the legal system more than their victims. In fact, defense attorneys investigate victims and try to put the blame for the crime on them instead of where it belongs.
There should be someone who will argue for the rights of the victim. The Prosecutor doesn’t do it they represent the State, and the Defense represents the Accused. So who’s looking out for the victim? In reality victim’s rights are rarely enforced. Therefore, we need to restore the balance of justice to the victims.
Crime victims have a right to be heard in criminal proceedings and may directly address the court, with their own private attorney, to advance their rights under victims' "Bill of Rights" laws.
We’ve all heard many complaints about the (let’s not forget then-married) Steve Nodine's womanizing, his drug, alcohol abuse and impeachment. It seems many people in Mobile bore witness to his regular pattern of bad behavior, but few are willing to come forward with what they know. One anonymous person said, they honestly believe Nodine is a dangerous person but is afraid of losing their job or putting their family through this mess. So they choose to remain silent. This is why he’s gotten away with so much. Now Angel is dead.
Keep in mind that guilty people can often persuade themselves and others, that they’re innocent and they can be very convincing.
For the record the presumption of innocence is a courtroom rule – not a real world mandate. We can make our own judgments on the people we meet and the information we receive. We’d be fools not to. We all have to care about being fair in the courtroom. But erring on the side of caution in public is the better option.
To reduce Nodine’s bond made no sense. Was it because he served on the Alabama Sentencing Commission? The four guys charged with killing Kyser Miree are being held without bail in Mobile jail. I guess when you're a county commissioner; you follow a different set of rules.
And don’t let anyone lie to you about the definition of reasonable doubt. To quote Wendy Murphy, “Jurors can and should find a defendant guilty even if they have doubt as long as the doubt is not “unreasonable”.
Nodine like Drew Peterson had a public FriendsofSteveNodine site collecting funds for his defense. But it’s now been made private. And just like Drew Peterson defense fund - they also have yet to divulge how much money they raised.
We’ve all seen who Nodine’s friends are – a sketchy bunch of characters – with a weak bond. Tony Moore who owns Spot of Tea (who in the past served Federal time for his role in a gambling ring) and Mickey Dearmon another friend with a criminal past. Nodines choice of friends in his adult life supports the belief he suffers from an anti-social personality disorder.
Nodine doesn’t just have an addiction to booze, women and drugs. He has an addiction to power and attention. He feels power even now because he feels he is manipulating all of Mobile and Baldwin County.
In my opinion, Nodine most certainly has let us all down - numerous times! Not only in the impeachment but also in the Federal gun/drug case and, of course, the murder of Angel Downs'. He also violated his duty to support the U.S. and Alabama Constitutions? And why shouldn’t he be charged for that?
Both Steve Nodine and Drew Peterson “... lady killer’s” have had more than the usual 5 minutes of fame. And they love the limelight and can be heard asking “Don’t you know who I am?” They are not the kind of men who make history, but are the kind who make others suffer through it. The spotlight has always found them – the same way trouble does. Nodine, just like Peterson, knows how the system works and both have a history of slipping out of trouble.
Steve is online looking for love much the same way Drew did. Both used and abused their positions of authority and were charged with official misconduct (both quit before charges were taken to trial) Both have shown a pattern of deception in relationships and then further deception to cover up deception, making them less credible individuals. Makes one wonder why they have to lie about so many important things? Both are incapable of having any kind of honest relationship because all others are objects to be manipulated.
Just as Drew2 - Steve also meets several criteria for the anti-social personality disorder – sociopath (also called a psychopath.) Anti-social personality disorder3 is three times as prevalent in men as in women. The disorder4 begins in early childhood and family dynamics play an influential part.
Lack of remorse, indicated by being indifferent or rationalizing being hurt, mistreated or stolen from another.
He shows a lack of feeling or concern for his losses. He does though show a feeling of loss for himself. He sees himself as the victim.
Failure to conform to social norms with respect to lawful behavior by repeatedly performing acts which are grounds for arrest.
Steve’s alleged alcohol and drug abuse, misuse of funds and county vehicle makes it clear he sees himself above the law.
His arrogance and cockiness about any of the charges he is facing is feeding his ego. He thinks he’s not ever going to get caught or punished. He can get away with it all.
Deceitfulness, indicated by repeatedly lying, conning others for personal profit or pleasure
Refuses to take responsibility or accountability for any of his criminal actions. Also uses God, good works, and his own son and celebrity status to his advantage.
He admits to cheating, even taking his own son to spend time with his mistress. Nodine owning up to adulterous affairs sounds more like bragging.
Now that Angel is dead he can continue to play his egocentric games, as there is no one left to call him on it.
Nodine is trying to sell Mobile a softer side of himself. Hence, his writing a book and wanting to create a vehicle showing off all his so called good works. (Even when trying to display himself as a good church attendee he criticizes the rest of the congregation and calls them Dems who hate that he’s walking among them with his head held high.)
Watching him in the media videos he seems to have a hard time keeping eye contact, his eyes keep looking down and shifting. You’re trying to avoid something when you’re looking down.
Impulsivity or failure to plan ahead.
Irritability and aggressiveness, as indicated by repeated physical fights or assaults.
Angel, her friends and family say he was controlling, threatening and outright abusive even at public events and used his position of authority to escape and intimidate others.
Reckless disregard for the safety of self or others.
This is evident in the emails where Angel states she fears for her life. And calls him on his abuse of power and lack of good parenting.
Consistent irresponsibility, as indicated by repeat failure to sustain consistent work behavior or honor financial obligations.
OnJuly 27 BTR, hosts of Initiate Partner Homicide Investigations dedicated the show to Angel Downs. The family and friends of Angel Downs were to be the guests. The show was to be about Angel. How Angel was a loving daughter, sister, aunt and wife. How Angel was always special. Angel had spent most of her life severely ill with heart and kidney disease. She was on a transplant waiting list for years. And finally her doctors found the proper medication to keep her alive without the transplant.
Though Angel’s life had many medical ups and downs, she had been sheltered and cared for by a loving family and Dr’s and Nurses for most of her life. She was a fighter and she loved life, her family and all God’s creatures.
Angel was the optimist; she respected others and looked for peace. She was a realist who did the impossible by beating the odds. And just as she never worried about being born, she didn’t worry about dying, until she came to know Steve Nodine.
Mr. Nodine has shown everyone in Mobile how he’ll use anything to get what he wants. He uses his son, God, supposed good works and his celebrity status to his advantage. Many have seen his temper, his addictions and felt his intimidation.
Angel saw the light and made the decision to stop seeing him. She was moving on with her life. Angel wanted to be happy and to have a family, a good life with someone she loved. She knew she wasn’t defined by her mistakes but by God’s forgiveness. She also knew true love is sacrifice and God doesn’t want women to be abused or killed. Someone murdered her and they have to be brought to justice. If only pure, pristine souls could have justice for their murder we'd not even need a judicial system.
Nodine had shared too many of his secrets with Angel and worked hard to control her. If she got away she might be what brought him down. He had been in many bad spots before and always escaped accountability. Why should this be any different?
It was Mother’s Day; why wasn’t he spending it with the mother of his son? Could it be he wanted to see Angel, and he knew how to get her to say yes. I can imagine him saying Christopher has something to give you for Mother’s Day. It’s been rumored he often used his son to try to keep their rocky relationship going.
You see if you don’t confront a liar and a cheat and hold them accountable they are empowered to do it again and they get better at it.
Will there be Justice for Angel Downs? Yes, because God is a Just God. No matter what the court finds. God knows who murdered Angel and He will punish the wicked. To take a page from Nodine’s book - Pray for Nodine (the alleged perpetrator) to repent and come forth and stop putting others in danger.
Best of all the show was dedicated to the memory of Angel Downs. She will not be forgotten; her life still holds great purpose.
*My comments are only my opinion, not fact. It is my commentary on the topic, and I'm exercising my 1st Amendment rights as a US citizen. Comments are NOT made with any malicious intent.
References
Murphy, Wendy “And Justice for Some: An Expose of the Lawyers and Judges Who Let Dangerous Criminals Go Free”
Hosey, Joseph “Fatal Vows The Tragic Wives of Sergeant Drew Peterson”
UPDATE: The latest in this case Nodine’s Attorney wants to federal firearms case on hold until after the former Mobile County commissioner goes to trial on a murder charge. Thankfully U.S. Magistrate Judge Sonja Bivins set it for trial in September, but would not wait for the murder case to be resolved. Nodine’s attorneys are asking that this be overturned. Atty. Armstrong states; "Further, a trial and conviction on the federal gun charge prior to the trial of his murder case will generate additional publicity, as has been clearly demonstrated by the inordinate and prejudicial coverage of defendant's arrest" and other proceedings.
Kevin Lee: If Partin upholds the motion for expediency on Aug. 25, they would have to set the trial date to start within 120 days. Federal in Sept and we could have a murder trial before Thanksgiving.
The opinions and information expressed in the individual posts do not necessarily reflect the opinions of each contributor of "Time's Up!" nor the opinion of the blog owner and administrator. The comments are the opinion and property of the individuals who leave them on the posts and do not express the opinion of the authors, contributors or the blog owner and administrator.
