Found Deceased MI - Venus Stewart, 32, Colon, 28 April 2010 - # 5 *D. Stewart guilty*

[Cubby]

I'm new. What doe's everyone think is taking so long for an arrest, again.

Enough evidence to ensure a conviction. Being there is only once chance LE doesn't want to blow their only chance.

I also think in this situation, LE will keep everything close to the vest until they have made an arrest. They aren't going to lay their cards out first. My neighbor is ISP swat team, and was there when they arrested Drew P. It was an all day event that started very early in the am, but the arrest didn't happen until evening rush hour time and it was kept quiet the entire day. I see the same happening in this case.

JMO

 

[spamelope]

It could have been a passive agressive thing.... if I don't get my way, or I can't get you to.... I will do X. Perhaps for some time Venus was the one with more interest in working on the relationship until she had enough and realized any attempts at compromise were futile. Usually when someone who is a control freak - and I assume Doug to be one in this situation - they are even more frantic when they begin to lose the control they have over another. Could it be he 'snapped' as a result of losing that control?

Unfortunately, I think there is a type of man who has his idea's of what his life, marraige and career should be. Very inflexible, and they will go to any and all lengths to maintain that image. From what I have read, Doug strikes me as that type more than the type to not want to give up his money and half of what he earned kind of thing.

JMO

I think that rightly or wrongly, Doug knew that with the DV records, her not having a job or vehicle or home, he would have been awarded custody permanently. For all we know, Doug was fine with her having custody until he relocated back to MI. I really do think that he applied for the transfer when VS moved back to MI, or else his employers are really accommodating to have done this in merely a week after VS went missing. MOO So I don't think his motive was financial.

 

[thinkaboutthis]

JMO..but in answer to the Million Dollar ??......I have read of this happening time and again.....The abuser is always going to try, it won't happen again....He loves her, ect..ect

I don't mean to stand up for the "bad guy", but I haven't read anywhere that DS was found to be guilty of any type of abuse at all. So how is this relevant? In fact, the opposite has been reported, that he was accused and not charged after the investigation. Can you please link to the proof (other than hearsay and comments from the McComb family, etc) that he was an "abuser"? Because otherwise, these DV theories are speculation and based on nothing factual, certainly not on any shred of proof that DS was abusive.

Having an active PPO against someone is not proof that said someone has been abusive. I'm against all forms of domestic violence whether it's male on female or the reverse. But I believe it would be unwise to base many opinions of DS on assumptions that have been formed by statements made by biased individuals to the media and unsubtantiated allegations by someone that actually does have a public recorded history of abuse. The truth about what happened is what really needs to be investigated and when opinion is based 100% on hearsay and statements from one side of the fence, you aren't getting at the truth. IMO

 

[Cubby]

I think that rightly or wrongly, Doug knew that with the DV records, her not having a job or vehicle or home, he would have been awarded custody permanently. For all we know, Doug was fine with her having custody until he relocated back to MI. I really do think that he applied for the transfer when VS moved back to MI, or else his employers are really accommodating to have done this in merely a week after VS went missing. MOO So I don't think his motive was financial.

BBM. I don't think her not having a job, vehicle or home would have any baring on a custody decision. If so, that would elimate any stay at home mom getting divorced from ever winning custody of her children. I have known men who have paid well over 5 grand a month for child support and spousal support for appx 2 years allowing their former stay at home wife time to become gainfully employed. I'm not sure how spousal support works elsewhere, but here in IL it is usually granted for appx 2 years in general.

I think Doug was not going to allow Venus to take the children away from him full time. And in this case, at all costs.........

JMO

 

[spamelope]

Here's an interesting article on WIKI
Conviction for murder in the absence of a body is possible; although historically, cases of this type have been hard to prove, the prosecution must rely on other evidence, usually circumstantial. Recent developments in forensic science make it less likely that such a murder will go unpunished.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_conviction_without_a_body

And this
Prosecutions for murders without bodies were once extremely rare, according to DiBiase, who traces the earliest documented case in the United States to 1819, when brothers Jesse and Stephen Boorn were convicted of murdering their brother-in-law, Richard Colvin, in Manchester, Vt.

More than 300 such cases that have gone to trial in the United States since, more than 90 percent of them resulting in a conviction, DiBiase said.

Although defense attorneys often try to convince jurors that no body means no proof a person is dead, DiBiase has found only one case, around 1886, in which a victim turned up alive after his supposed killer -- tried twice on charges he killed his lover's husband -- had been convicted and executed.

In the past decade, DiBiase said a surge in such murder prosecutions is largely thanks to advances in DNA technology, computer records and cell phone logs, and improvements in
forensics.

Juries have also become more sophisticated with the popularity of crime, law and forensic television shows, according to Donna Pendergast, assistant attorney general for the Michigan Department of Attorney General's office, who has successfully prosecuted several of these cases.

Pendergast says the enormous public appetite for forensics has led to jury pools full of people who "want to see every little
fingerprint."

She has convinced juries that a person was really dead even though no body was ever found, because the victim didn't access bank accounts or credit cards after they disappeared.

"Traditionally, a prosecutor would say: 'No body, we don't have a case,' " Pendergast said. "But now that people are seeing these cases can be won. ... It's not 'the perfect crime' anymore."
http://www.njherald.com/story/news/a0581-BC-US-BodylessMurders-2ndLd-Writethru-04-11-1117

 

[spamelope]

722.23 “Best interests of the child” defined.

Sec. 3.

As used in this act, “best interests of the child” means the sum total of the following factors to be considered, evaluated, and determined by the court:

(a) The love, affection, and other emotional ties existing between the parties involved and the child.

(b) The capacity and disposition of the parties involved to give the child love, affection, and guidance and to continue the education and raising of the child in his or her religion or creed, if any.

(c) The capacity and disposition of the parties involved to provide the child with food, clothing, medical care or other remedial care recognized and permitted under the laws of this state in place of medical care, and other material needs.

(d) The length of time the child has lived in a stable, satisfactory environment, and the desirability of maintaining continuity.

(e) The permanence, as a family unit, of the existing or proposed custodial home or homes.

(f) The moral fitness of the parties involved.

(g) The mental and physical health of the parties involved.

(h) The home, school, and community record of the child.

(i) The reasonable preference of the child, if the court considers the child to be of sufficient age to express preference.

(j) The willingness and ability of each of the parties to facilitate and encourage a close and continuing parent-child relationship between the child and the other parent or the child and the parents.

(k) Domestic violence, regardless of whether the violence was directed against or witnessed by the child.

(l) Any other factor considered by the court to be relevant to a particular child custody dispute

I was divorced in MI and didn't get any spousal support. Any more, the courts really don't give it out unless you're married for like 100 years. In the case of a SAHM, I think the courts want the children to continue living in the family home, and the non custodial parent has to help support that. More and more dads are getting custody these days, and it's the mom that has to pay. I don't think VS would have retained custody, especially after reading this. JMOO

 

[PickieChickie]

I cannot see a child a describing a penis in that way, by any stretch of imagination...that really stands out to me...not even good coaching, if coached. Or it is so off the wall, it must be true...one or the other...

I find it suspicious that she didn't immediately interrogate the child to discover exactly what, why, when, how and where she had seen DS's "thing", especially since it appears she resented him tremendously for the way he was reportedly treating her and clearly needed more reasons to justify leaving him. In other words, I would have thought she would have jumped right on that thinking something to the effect of, "That SOB! Not only is he abusing me, but he's molesting our daughter!", then followed that thought by asking a slew of questions!

Instead, Venus writes she ignored the child who proceeded to pester her, insisting on getting some answers.

 

[Cubby]

I find it suspicious that she didn't immediately interrogate the child to discover exactly what, why, when, how and where she had seen DS's "thing", especially since it appears she resented him tremendously for the way he was reportedly treating her and clearly needed more reasons to justify leaving him. In other words, I would have thought she would have jumped right on that thinking something to the effect of, "That SOB! Not only is he abusing me, but he's molesting our daughter!", then followed that thought by asking a slew of questions!

Instead, Venus writes she ignored the child who proceeded to pester her, insisting on getting some answers.

Can you direct me to the link where Venus wrote she ignored the child....?

In general, depending on how a parent discusses/questions a child regarding alleged sexual abuse it could impair prosecution of the case and the childs testimony as the defense would state the parent 'tainted' the childs testimony.

I'd like to think, any parent in a situation where a child would begin to show signs of being sexually abused would immediately seek professional advise via LE/therapy/medical. If for nothing else than to ensure protection of their child. I know for a fact if my son EVER so much as told me someone touched him inappropriately or I had cause to reasonably believe something like that happened I'd be off to either the police station or ER immediately and seek professional assistance.

I can't imagine doing all kinds of documentation without seeking professional assistance to back up my documentation.

I could be jumping the gun here, so I would really like to see the link that I requested above for better understanding.

JMO

ETA: Just a few weeks ago, my son complained for the 3rd or 4th time some of the boys in his class were grabbing his chest and squeezing to make his chest appear like female. (my son is a little chunky so he has the fat there to do so). I was at school bright and early the following morning to discuss this in person with my son and his teacher. And this was kids joking around, but inappropriately so imo. And not something he was able to handle on his own by asking those peers to stop.

 

[PickieChickie]

Can you direct me to the link where Venus wrote she ignored the child....?

In general, depending on how a parent discusses/questions a child regarding alleged sexual abuse it could impair prosecution of the case and the childs testimony as the defense would state the parent 'tainted' the childs testimony.

I'd like to think, any parent in a situation where a child would begin to show signs of being sexually abused would immediately seek professional advise via LE/therapy/medical. If for nothing else than to ensure protection of their child. I know for a fact if my son EVER so much as told me someone touched him inappropriately or I had cause to reasonably believe something like that happened I'd be off to either the police station or ER immediately and seek professional assistance.

I can't imagine doing all kinds of documentation without seeking professional assistance to back up my documentation.

I could be jumping the gun here, so I would really like to see the link that I requested above for better understanding.

JMO

ETA: Just a few weeks ago, my son complained for the 3rd or 4th time some of the boys in his class were grabbing his chest and squeezing to make his chest appear like female. (my son is a little chunky so he has the fat there to do so). I was at school bright and early the following morning to discuss this in person with my son and his teacher. And this was kids joking around, but inappropriately so imo.

There is a post down a ways by Puf which links to Venus's notes. You have to click on the link then download it to your computer. Here is an excerpt from it:

"My eyes got real big and I just sat there and didn't say anything ..... and I didn't want to go there with her. She kept on demanding an answer."

(I left out the offensive part and replaced it with .....)

The average parent would ASK questions. The last thing they'd be thinking about would be damaging a case. They'd need enough information from the child to determine if they needed to contact social services or the police.

 

[believe09]

There is a post down a ways by Puf which links to Venus's notes. You have to click on the link then download it to your computer. Here is an excerpt from it:

"My eyes got real big and I just sat there and didn't say anything ..... and I didn't want to go there with her. She kept on demanding an answer."

(I left out the offensive part and replaced it with .....)

The average parent would ASK questions. The last thing they'd be thinking about would be damaging a case. They'd need enough information from the child to determine if they needed to contact social services or the police.

I agree, but there is always a "but" right? In the high profile cases of physician sex abuse, LE has been asking the parents of potential victims NOT to quiz their children or even discuss the recollections so as to not contaminate the testimony. Really. I spoke with a State Police Invistigator in MD over the Lewes, MD case when I was contacted by the parent of a potential victim via my email addy-that was what I was to instruct her...can you even imagine?

I dont know if I could hold myself to that...I think I would be trying so hard not to crush the child with my hugs and drown them with my tears...

 

[BeanE]

There is a post down a ways by Puf which links to Venus's notes. You have to click on the link then download it to your computer. Here is an excerpt from it:

"My eyes got real big and I just sat there and didn't say anything ..... and I didn't want to go there with her. She kept on demanding an answer."

(I left out the offensive part and replaced it with .....)

The average parent would ASK questions. The last thing they'd be thinking about would be damaging a case. They'd need enough information from the child to determine if they needed to contact social services or the police.

All that is before the little girl told her about the molestation. At that point, the little girl was simply asking what that body part is.

I find no reason for a parent to interrogate a child who says they saw the other parent naked. Venus thought the child had seen Doug urinating. That's a normal assumption, and nothing to do an interrogation about.

You do make a point though, although an unintended one. If Venus were intent on bringing false charges of molestation against Doug, then as soon as her daughter said she simply saw him naked, I would think Venus would have jumped all over that. She didn't though. She didn't say to herself Oh my dear God he molested her! She didn't say to herself Wowzingo! Maybe I can 'get' him for molestation! She simply had a rational though, with no accusations of wrongdoing towards Doug - she thought Oh. He was just peeing.

This victim is damned if she does and damned if she doesn't.

 

[Pondering Mind]

I don't mean to stand up for the "bad guy", but I haven't read anywhere that DS was found to be guilty of any type of abuse at all. So how is this relevant? In fact, the opposite has been reported, that he was accused and not charged after the investigation. Can you please link to the proof (other than hearsay and comments from the McComb family, etc) that he was an "abuser"? Because otherwise, these DV theories are speculation and based on nothing factual, certainly not on any shred of proof that DS was abusive.

Having an active PPO against someone is not proof that said someone has been abusive. I'm against all forms of domestic violence whether it's male on female or the reverse. But I believe it would be unwise to base many opinions of DS on assumptions that have been formed by statements made by biased individuals to the media and unsubtantiated allegations by someone that actually does have a public recorded history of abuse. The truth about what happened is what really needs to be investigated and when opinion is based 100% on hearsay and statements from one side of the fence, you aren't getting at the truth. IMO

bbm~
While you are absolutely right, the same holds true that just because there is NOT a PPO in place (or that there may not ever have been) does not mean someone isn't abusive. Stupid me..NEVER even called the police when my ex was abusive...at least not until after we split up. He would have killed me when he got out of jail, there's no doubt in my mind of that. Couldn't divorce him on those grounds either,..unless our oldest daughter testified against him and I wasn't going to have her do that..

Just saying, people are ashamed when they let this go on. Often times, as in my case, they tell no one..but I assure you that doesn't mean it didn't happen! My ex would tell someone to this day, in these words..'he never broke a bone or sent me to the hospital, so he was not abusive' :banghead:..I suppose that's how he has to see it to live with himself, ya know?

 

[believe09]

I wish I could double thank your above post, BeanE

 

[mommame]

I don't mean to stand up for the "bad guy", but I haven't read anywhere that DS was found to be guilty of any type of abuse at all. So how is this relevant? In fact, the opposite has been reported, that he was accused and not charged after the investigation. Can you please link to the proof (other than hearsay and comments from the McComb family, etc) that he was an "abuser"? Because otherwise, these DV theories are speculation and based on nothing factual, certainly not on any shred of proof that DS was abusive.

Having an active PPO against someone is not proof that said someone has been abusive. I'm against all forms of domestic violence whether it's male on female or the reverse. But I believe it would be unwise to base many opinions of DS on assumptions that have been formed by statements made by biased individuals to the media and unsubtantiated allegations by someone that actually does have a public recorded history of abuse. The truth about what happened is what really needs to be investigated and when opinion is based 100% on hearsay and statements from one side of the fence, you aren't getting at the truth. IMO

your post #185 is what I was replying to, and you said:

The million dollar question is...after your husband accuses your own father of doing something criminal...how do you end up back with him and relocating halfway accross the country with someone you claim to know is abusive, controlling, and dangerous to your own well-being? Especially, when you were already clearly separated and in the safety and care of your own parent's home?


As you said she was claiming he was abusive......

 

[PickieChickie]

I agree, but there is always a "but" right? In the high profile cases of physician sex abuse, LE has been asking the parents of potential victims NOT to quiz their children or even discuss the recollections so as to not contaminate the testimony. Really. I spoke with a State Police Invistigator in MD over the Lewes, MD case when I was contacted by the parent of a potential victim via my email addy-that was what I was to instruct her...can you even imagine?

I dont know if I could hold myself to that...I think I would be trying so hard not to crush the child with my hugs and drown them with my tears...

My boyfriend had a child who was 5 who was acting out horribly. I couldn't figure out what was wrong because every avenue had been explored. Finally, I asked him if his mother ever touched him in a way that made him feel uncomfortable.

He told me, "Yes", then patted his crotch area and said she touched him there. I asked him if he ever slept with his mother in the bed to which he replied, "Yes". My next question was if she ever did things in the bed that made him uncomfortable. He replied, "Yes, she makes me touch her there with my finger like this!" (He then made a birdie finger!) I asked him what she did after that, and he said, "She goes outside and smokes a cigarette!"

When the boy, who was a NOTORIOUS liar, told his brother what his mom had been doing, the 7th grader immediately, without doubting what his brother had claimed, grabbed the phone, called his mother and told her what a SICK person she was.

The older brother clearly believed his little brother who was always lying about everything because she had done the same thing to him, although he would NOT admit it due to being too ashamed (I suspect).

Even thought two CART examines came out positive for sexual molestation of the boy by his mother, the district attorney didn't charge her because he believed he couldn't depend on the child to testify in court.

The father was awarded full custody of the boys and was ordered to allow reasonable visitation between the mother and the boys.

 

[RubyRed]

Transcription of Venus' handwritten notes found by her father Larry McComb (as well as I can... it's so blurry in the video). I've attached this as a file, so if you don't want to read this, you can move on by. Names and places are subbed with asterisks.

The attach didn't come but thanks for doing that.

 

[BeanE]

I don't mean to stand up for the "bad guy", but I haven't read anywhere that DS was found to be guilty of any type of abuse at all. So how is this relevant? In fact, the opposite has been reported, that he was accused and not charged after the investigation. Can you please link to the proof (other than hearsay and comments from the McComb family, etc) that he was an "abuser"? Because otherwise, these DV theories are speculation and based on nothing factual, certainly not on any shred of proof that DS was abusive.

Having an active PPO against someone is not proof that said someone has been abusive. I'm against all forms of domestic violence whether it's male on female or the reverse. But I believe it would be unwise to base many opinions of DS on assumptions that have been formed by statements made by biased individuals to the media and unsubtantiated allegations by someone that actually does have a public recorded history of abuse. The truth about what happened is what really needs to be investigated and when opinion is based 100% on hearsay and statements from one side of the fence, you aren't getting at the truth. IMO

What proof is there of Venus having been abusive toward Doug in the past two years? Just wondering. I haven't even seen any indication, let alone proof. No statements from anyone anywhere. Nothing. Not for two years. Not even one of those mean-nothing, hearsay-based, one-sided protective orders from Doug against Venus.

 

[Cubby]

My boyfriend had a child who was 5 who was acting out horribly. I couldn't figure out what was wrong because every avenue had been explored. Finally, I asked him if his mother ever touched him in a way that made him feel uncomfortable.

He told me, "Yes", then patted his crotch area and said she touched him there. I asked him if he ever slept with his mother in the bed to which he replied, "Yes". My next question was if she ever did things in the bed that made him uncomfortable. He replied, "Yes, she makes me touch her there with my finger like this!" (He then made a birdie finger!) I asked him what she did after that, and he said, "She goes outside and smokes a cigarette!"

When the boy, who was a NOTORIOUS liar, told his brother what his mom had been doing, the 7th grader immediately, without doubting what his brother had claimed, grabbed the phone, called his mother and told her what a SICK person she was.

The older brother clearly believed his little brother who was always lying about everything because she had done the same thing to him, although he would NOT admit it due to being too ashamed (I suspect).

Even thought two CART examines came out positive for sexual molestation of the boy by his mother, the district attorney didn't charge her because he believed he couldn't depend on the child to testify in court.

The father was awarded full custody of the boys and was ordered to allow reasonable visitation between the mother and the boys.

Please tell me reasonable visitation was supervised. BBM. See, this is often a problem that I have read about in the past. At what age can a child testify? I'm getting OT here, but there has to be other means for which a child can be protected when the allegations are true.

Ugh. All I can hope at this point is Venus is found...... if not, there is too great a risk that Doug will gain custody of the kids and the maternal grandparents will have to fight for access to the kids. This is a no win situation all around.

 

[believe09]

My boyfriend had a child who was 5 who was acting out horribly. I couldn't figure out what was wrong because every avenue had been explored. Finally, I asked him if his mother ever touched him in a way that made him feel uncomfortable.

He told me, "Yes", then patted his crotch area and said she touched him there. I asked him if he ever slept with his mother in the bed to which he replied, "Yes". My next question was if she ever did things in the bed that made him uncomfortable. He replied, "Yes, she makes me touch her there with my finger like this!" (He then made a birdie finger!) I asked him what she did after that, and he said, "She goes outside and smokes a cigarette!"

When the boy, who was a NOTORIOUS liar, told his brother what his mom had been doing, the 7th grader immediately, without doubting what his brother had claimed, grabbed the phone, called his mother and told her what a SICK person she was.

The older brother clearly believed his little brother who was always lying about everything because she had done the same thing to him, although he would NOT admit it due to being too ashamed (I suspect).

Even thought two CART examines came out positive for sexual molestation of the boy by his mother, the district attorney didn't charge her because he believed he couldn't depend on the child to testify in court.

The father was awarded full custody of the boys and was ordered to allow reasonable visitation between the mother and the boys.

OMG-what a story. I am speechless.

 

[blackdog]

In Doug's apartment, the police removed two digital voice recorders. They most have some relevance to the case. Maybe Doug recorded some of their arguments, and she threatened to accuse him of child molestation.