TX - Crystal Seratte McDowell, 38, Baytown, 25 Aug 2017 #4

[Niner]

:bump: up this thread...

*Pretrial Hearing - TX - Crystal Ann Seratte McDowell (37) (Sept. 2, 2017) - Steven Wayne McDowell (44) (ex) arrested & charged with 1st degree murder. Ex confessed & told LE where body is/Bond set at $500,000.
11/14 Update: Grand Jury indicts for "intent to cause serious bodily injury" and "commit an act clearly dangerous to human life". No further dates available.

Haven't heard anything since the indictment....

Anyone?

TIA!

 

[Jethro4WS]

There was supposed to be what is called a "Docket Call" on 1/5/18. Apparently it was moved to 3/18/18.

https://txchambersportal.tylerhost.net/Portal/

Click SmartSearch. In the name field enter "mcdowell,steven" (if you only put steve it will not find him).

 

[gregjrichards]

:bump: up this thread...

*Pretrial Hearing - TX - Crystal Ann Seratte McDowell (37) (Sept. 2, 2017) - Steven Wayne McDowell (44) (ex) arrested & charged with 1st degree murder. Ex confessed & told LE where body is/Bond set at $500,000.
11/14 Update: Grand Jury indicts for "intent to cause serious bodily injury" and "commit an act clearly dangerous to human life". No further dates available.

Haven't heard anything since the indictment....

Anyone?

TIA!

There was supposed to be what is called a "Docket Call" on 1/5/18. Apparently it was moved to 3/18/18.

https://txchambersportal.tylerhost.net/Portal/

Click SmartSearch. In the name field enter "mcdowell,steven" (if you only put steve it will not find him).

Many thanks to you both for your updates and information they are much appreciated.

 

[DeDee]

:bump: up this thread...

*Pretrial Hearing - TX - Crystal Ann Seratte McDowell (37) (Sept. 2, 2017) - Steven Wayne McDowell (44) (ex) arrested & charged with 1st degree murder. Ex confessed & told LE where body is/Bond set at $500,000.
11/14 Update: Grand Jury indicts for "intent to cause serious bodily injury" and "commit an act clearly dangerous to human life". No further dates available.

Haven't heard anything since the indictment....

Anyone?

TIA!

A TX Grand Jury decided Steven had "intent" to cause serious bodily injury. That sounds like he may have broken her legs, to put it so mildly. I'd say he did commit a clearly dangerous action since he strangled Crystal until she died. Why is there no mention of him disposing of and hiding her lifeless body?

 

[Hraefn]

When you search his inmate record in Chambers County this is the only charge listed:

Charge
Charges
McDowell, Steven Wayne


Description
Statute
Level
Date
1 MURDER 19.02(c) First Degree Felony 08/25/2017

https://txchambersportal.tylerhost.net/Portal/Home/WorkspaceMode?p=0

Here is the statute http://codes.findlaw.com/tx/penal-code/penal-sect-19-02.html

(b) A person commits an offense if he:

(1) intentionally or knowingly causes the death of an individual;

(2) intends to cause serious bodily injury and commits an act clearly dangerous to human life that causes the death of an individual;  or

(3) commits or attempts to commit a felony, other than manslaughter, and in the course of and in furtherance of the commission or attempt, or in immediate flight from the commission or attempt, he commits or attempts to commit an act clearly dangerous to human life that causes the death of an individual.

So to me it looks like he was indicted for murder by meeting those requirements, rather than being indicted for that obscure legal language itself.
Legal intent in criminal law basically means the person foresees what their actions will do and continues to do it and desires that outcome.

Here is the statute for TX criminal intent (more ways to meet intent requirement at link):

Sec. 6.03. DEFINITIONS OF CULPABLE MENTAL STATES. (a) A person acts intentionally, or with intent, with respect to the nature of his conduct or to a result of his conduct when it is his conscious objective or desire to engage in the conduct or cause the result.

(b) A person acts knowingly, or with knowledge, with respect to the nature of his conduct or to circumstances surrounding his conduct when he is aware of the nature of his conduct or that the circumstances exist. A person acts knowingly, or with knowledge, with respect to a result of his conduct when he is aware that his conduct is reasonably certain to cause the result.

http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/PE/htm/PE.6.htm

 

[Linskid]

Bump


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[Castle22]

2 updates tonight 6/16/18 as CBS re-ran Crystal’s case story tonight, “Storm of Suspicion”.

1) Accused murderer Steven is scheduled to stand trial Nov. 26, 2018. McDowell has not entered a plea.

2) The couple's young children are now living out of the state with a family friend who is in the process of obtaining full legal custody. (No longer with Aunt.)

Complete transcript:
"48 Hours" goes inside the search for mom who vanished ahead of Hurricane Harvey - CBS News

 

[2Hope4]

IIRC didn't Crystal have a will saying she wanted the kids with a friend? Or am I confused about another case?

 

[2Hope4]

Wish parents would think about their actions and how it affects the kids. First Father's Day the kids have without their Dad.

 

[whoizzit]

IIRC didn't Crystal have a will saying she wanted the kids with a friend? Or am I confused about another case?

You are correct! You likely know this by now, one month later, but iirc, Cindy was the one who stated that Crystal's will had specified that one of her childhood friends shd get custody and estate in case of her death. Steven didn't protest and believe Cindy said he cooperated. Think it's one of Crystal's friends from OK that lives in LA, not TX. Such a sad case, senseless death. Why are so many people total nutbags????? Sigh

 

[Niner]

Oops - I just found this case in the wrong bookmarked place.... Kind of slacked off on this case. Here's an update. We missed August hearings. Sorry!! Also I didn't have this as a "Watched" thread.

• 10/09/2018 Motion Hearing
  Judicial Officer: Cain, Chap B., III
  Hearing Time: 1:00 PM
  Comment: PRE-TRIAL MOTIONS
  
  
• 10/30/2018 Trial Docket Call
  Judicial Officer: Cain, Chap B., III
  Hearing Time: 1:00 PM
  
  
• 11/26/2018 Jury Trial
  Judicial Officer: Cain, Chap B., III
  Hearing Time: 9:00 AM

link: Chambers County - Portal

 

[Alice253]

Just a heads up, Sunday night October 7 at 8 pm there will be a program on oThe Weather Channel on Crystal. Has to do with how the weather played a role her case. It's the first in a series called Storm of Suspicion

 

[Niner]

Tuesday, Oct. 9th:
*Pretrial Motions Hearing (@ 1pm CT) - TX - Crystal Ann Seratte McDowell (37) (Sept. 2, 2017) - *Steven Wayne McDowell (44) (ex) arrested & charged & indicted (11/4/17) with 1st degree murder. Ex confessed & told LE where body is. Plead not guilty. Bond set at $500,000.
11/14 Update: Grand Jury indicts for "intent to cause serious bodily injury" and "commit an act clearly dangerous to human life".
Next Hearings: Pretrial Motions hearing 10/9, Trial Docket Call 10/30 @ 1pm, jury trial starts 11/26 @ 9am.

 

[Niner]

Tuesday, October 30th:
*Trial Docket Call Hearing (@ 1pm CT) - TX - Crystal Ann Seratte McDowell (37) (Sept. 2, 2017, Baytown) - *Steven Wayne McDowell (44) (ex) arrested & charged with 1st degree murder. Ex confessed & told LE where body is. Plead not guilty. Bond set at $500,000.
11/14 Update: Grand Jury indicts for "intent to cause serious bodily injury" and "commit an act clearly dangerous to human life".
Next Hearings: Trial Docket Call 10/30, jury trial starts 11/26 @ 9am.

 

[Niner]

Looks like yesterday's hearing is reset for today:

10/31/2018 Trial Docket Call
Judicial Officer: Cain, Chap B., III
Hearing Time: 1:30 PM

11/26/2018 Jury Trial
Judicial Officer: Cain, Chap B., III
Hearing Time: 9:00 AM


link: Chambers County - Portal

 

[Niner]

10/31/2018 Trial Docket Call
Judicial Officer: Cain, Chap B., III
Hearing Time: 1:30 PM

11/26/2018 Jury Trial
Judicial Officer: Cain, Chap B., III
Hearing Time: 9:00 AM
Cancelled!

01/28/2019 Trial Docket Call
Judicial Officer: Cain, Chap B., III
Hearing Time: 9:00 AM

02/25/2019 Jury Trial
Judicial Officer: Cain, Chap B., III
Hearing Time: 9:00 AM


link: Chambers County - Portal

 

[Niner]

Monday, Nov. 26th:
*Trial was set to begin-DELAYED to 2/25/19 (@ 9am CT) - TX - Crystal Ann Seratte McDowell (37) (Sept. 2, 2017, Baytown) - *Steven Wayne McDowell (44) (ex) arrested & charged with 1st degree murder. Ex confessed & told LE where body is. Plead not guilty. Bond set at $500,000.
11/14/17 Update: Grand Jury indicts for "intent to cause serious bodily injury" and "commit an act clearly dangerous to human life".
Next Hearings: Jury trial starts 11/26.
10/31/18 Update: Trial cancelled on 10/31/18 hearing. Reset for 2/25/19. Trial Docket call on 1/28/19.

 

[Niner]

Monday, January 28th:
*Trial Docket Call Hearing (@ 9am CT) - TX - Crystal Ann Seratte McDowell (37) (Sept. 2, 2017, Baytown) - *Steven Wayne McDowell (44) (ex) arrested & charged (8/25/17), indicted (11/14/17) & arraigned (12/13/17) with 1st degree murder. Ex confessed & told LE where body is. Plead not guilty. Bond set at $500,000.
11/14/17 Update: Grand Jury indicts for "intent to cause serious bodily injury" and "commit an act clearly dangerous to human life". Next Hearings: Trial Docket Call 10/30, jury trial starts 11/26. 10/30/18: Trial Docket Call hearing reset to 10/31.
10/31/18 Update: Trial has been cancelled for 11/26/18. Next Trial Docket call on 1/28/19, trial now set for 2/25/19.

 

[Niner]

01/25/2019 Motion

01/28/2019 Motion for Continuance

02/25/2019 Jury Trial
Judicial Officer: Cain, Chap B., III
Hearing Time: 9:00 AM


link: Chambers County - Portal


If anyone sees any articles re motion for continuance and a new date, please let me know. I'll keep an eye out on the court site for any changes. TIA!

 

[Niner]

Okay - some things happened on 2/6/19 - from court site:

01/25/2019 Motion
Comment: Motion to Change Venue w/Proposed Order and Supporting Affidavits

01/28/2019 Motion for Continuance
Comment: (No order filed w/Motion)

01/29/2019 Notice
Comment: Notice of Submission with Agreed Order of Submission

02/01/2019 Order
Judicial Officer: Cain, Chap B., III
Comment: for Motion to Change of Venue-Granted

02/06/2019 Order
Judicial Officer: Cain, Chap B., III
Comment: Order Setting Hearing To Complete Transfer of Venue

02/06/2019 Order
Judicial Officer: Cain, Chap B., III
Comment: Order Transferring Venue

02/06/2019 Motion
Comment: Ex Parte Motion for the Appointment of a Mitigation Expert/Investigator

02/06/2019 Order
Judicial Officer: Cain, Chap B., III
Comment: Order on Ex Parte Motion for the Appointment of an Investigator

02/06/2019 Order
Judicial Officer: Cain, Chap B., III
Comment: Order to Transfer Inmate

02/06/2019 Other
Comment: Agreement of Parties

02/12/2019 Attorney Payment Voucher
Judicial Officer: Cain, Chap B., III


link: Chambers County - Portal


So looks like no trial yet, and he was granted a change of venue.