Found Deceased MI - Venus Stewart, 32, Colon, 28 April 2010 - # 7 *D. Stewart guilty*

[cluciano63]

As far as I know, these days almost any amount of blood, even if not visible, can be tested...JMO

 

[believe09]

As far as I know, these days almost any amount of blood, even if not visible, can be tested...JMO

Yes, but it is science not magic right? I mean it is limited to the techniques that are available for getting the data. o/t for me the Caylee Anthony case springs to mind and the stain in the trunk liner. Again, speculation, but if you believe or conceed that Caylee spent some time after death in the trunk of her mother's car and her bodily fluids leaked onto the trunk liner during decomp, you would think getting a primary DNA sample would have been cake. But the car was detailed, possibly by a former police officer who knew exactly what it would take to ruin any chance of obtaining DNA.

Now in this case, it seems clear the car was not detailed if there were receipts found in it that tied the driver to tarp/shovel/gloves. But I suspect it is all in what you are concerned about. OR, if the blood was old, it may have been degraded. As others have pointed out, if the blood was that old, it may not be relevant to this case. Tough to argue either side without knowing quantity....JMO.

 

[thinkaboutthis]

I don't trust Examiner. I never even read the articles on Examiner.

I don't even use Examiner as a source in the timeline. Examiner articles are not written by journalists or reporters. They're written by people who get paid on a hit by hit basis on their web page. They glean their information from secondary sources.

http://www.dailypress.com/news/crime/dp-nws-michigan-slaying-20100521,0,5491339.story

Ok, how about the url for this article from the DailyPress...in Virginia?

It clearly has the word "slaying" in the title of the address...what's up with that?

 

[Natal]

I havent read anywhere that indicates a quantity-whoever attempted a cleanup (speculating) mayhave left behind enough that luminol reacted but not enough to get a nuclear DNA sample easily. JUST speculating here...

But didn't clean anything else up?

 

[Natal]

LOL. Obviously you're arguing about an article that you didn't even read. The article opens with the murder case of the nine-year-old.

I did read it, and if you read it you would have seen that the blood in that case was likely from the victim, but the investigator thought "maybe" it might be from the perp (in other words he was clutching at straws). The case was eventually prioritized as a result of political pressure, not on an investigative basis, and allthough they say the wait time was trimmed to months, they don't say how long it was when it was prioritized. Presumably those "months" included the political pressure. And not only that, the results generated no leads, in other words the blood was probably from the victim as expected.

The article was about how long it takes routine samples to be processed, not how long it takes for the processing itself. In fact the article makes it clear that is a relatively rapid process. That particular lab has 3 people who process around 750 samples a year, and it takes anything from minutes to two weeks (depending on sample quality). Once processed the samples are then analyzed for DNA, which is a routine thing. Do the math.

The article was about the lack of resources to analyse all the samples they are being bombarded with, not how long the analysis itself takes.

 

[believe09]

But didn't clean anything else up?

Maybe that was all they were worried about at the time.

 

[sandangel]

I do not find it odd at all that her written will states to give custody of the kids to her parents. Given the history between Venus and him, from the alledged sexual abuse of one of the children to the many threats of him threatening to kill her.

If I would have been in her shoes I would have done the same thing.

 

[cluciano63]

To be fair, it often is the husband or boyfriend who commits a murder of a woman, and usually physical evidence aplenty proves the case eventually, even when the man is named a POI in early stages without much but perceived motive.
Slightly off topic, I have told my husband, jokingly of course, that I hope for his sake I never vanish, in part as he is a night-worker and almost always in a state of slumberous confusion during daylight hours, seldom knows what time it is, when he last saw me, etc...he would come off as extremely guilty in the eyes of many.

 

[BeanE]

I usually make it a point to ignore what the talking heads on JVM, NG, etc, say - usually don't even read it. But... I was looking through this JVM transcript from May 28 to see if Venus' parents or LE was on to grab their quotes, and the quote below from Michelle Sigona, usually a pretty thorough reporter for checking facts, caught my eye.

She says that a report came out that Doug was staying with his parents in Michigan in the days prior to Venus' disappearance. I hadn't seen any reports of that, and I searched and couldn't find any.

Note that there's some... confusion... if you read what's prior in the transcript. JVM says some stuff about Doug staying at his parents' house in VA. :waitasec:

Here, though, Michelle says about Doug driving from MI back home to VA and then back to MI, so Michelle is saying there was some report of Doug staying at his parents' house in MI prior to Venus' abduction.

If this is true, it's weird that there hasn't been huge discussion in the press, let alone in this forum, about it, and that it hasn't been mentioned before now, which makes me doubt the veracity. But Michelle is pretty good about talking w/LE. Maybe she was thrown off by what JVM was saying about parents' house in VA and didn't want to refute her on the air? I just don't know.

Has anyone seen anything on this before?

SIGONA: Yes, and then there`s another report that came out that said that he had -- in the days prior to her disappearance, was, in fact, staying with his parents there.

So for whatever reason, if he did -- possibly was there, and he got back in the truck, drove back home and then drove back to Michigan, there`s a lot of cross-country traveling going on here.

http://archives.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1005/28/ijvm.01.html

 

[grayjay]

Until VS is found, we are here to support the effort to find her. For us, looking at the POI and trying to figure out what happened, it's natural for us to think about the guilty behaviors. I see nothing wrong or totalitarian about exploring the facts as they have so far been presented.
The media is another force working to expose something that will help find VS. Again, I see nothing wrong with this.
It is wrong to add on charges of fashion crimes against the POI, or to say things that have no basis in actual fact. But I'm one who tends to figure that where there's smoke, there's fire.
:cow: my opinion on this is subject to change

 

[BeanE]

Judge found probable cause to authorize the CPS petition against Doug for abuse or neglect. In video with this article:
http://www.wavy.com/dpp/news/local_news/doug-stewart-denied-visitation-rights


The CPS petition is against Doug for child abuse or neglect.

- Friday's hearing was to determine if there is evidence to authorize a neglect or abuse petition against Doug, it stems from allegations made by Venus in February involving one of the couple's children.

http://www.wwmt.com/articles/newschannel-1377134-husband-0in.html


The CPS petition against Doug will be heard in a hearing on June 17.

- A judge denied Doug visitation rights during the Friday hearing. And a petition was granted for a future hearing, which will be held June 17.

- During the custody hearing, a child protective services worker took the stand. She cited concerns with placing the children in Doug's care following allegations from one of the girls of innappropriate sexual contact.

http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/sw_mich/Where-will-Venus-children-live


Abuse or neglect charges via the CPS petition against Doug would be civil action, not criminal charges(?)

- He went into family court in St. Joseph County Friday petitioning to gain custody of his two daughters and walked out stripped of his visitation rights and facing possible civil action for neglect.

- A social worker testified that one of the children claimed that Stewart sexually abused her

http://www.wtvbam.com/news/articles/2010/may/29/venus-stewarts-husband-lost-custody-rights/


I'm confused if CPS is looking at abuse or neglect or both. If abuse, it looks to be sexual abuse.

If neglect, I'm thinking that it's because he's not meeting his parental obligations to his children to care for them by being a POI and presenting a danger to them so that physical custody can not be placed with him. I'm trying to think how CPS/a prosecutor would legally argue neglect. He's culpable because he's refusing to cooperate with LE and if he did so, he could prove that he is not a POI and not a danger to the children?

I think it's more likely abuse than neglect. Wish the reporters could agree on what they heard at the hearing.

 

[Calliope]

I usually make it a point to ignore what the talking heads on JVM, NG, etc, say - usually don't even read it. But... I was looking through this JVM transcript from May 28 to see if Venus' parents or LE was on to grab their quotes, and the quote below from Michelle Sigona, usually a pretty thorough reporter for checking facts, caught my eye.

She says that a report came out that Doug was staying with his parents in Michigan in the days prior to Venus' disappearance. I hadn't seen any reports of that, and I searched and couldn't find any.

Note that there's some... confusion... if you read what's prior in the transcript. JVM says some stuff about Doug staying at his parents' house in VA. :waitasec:

Here, though, Michelle says about Doug driving from MI back home to VA and then back to MI, so Michelle is saying there was some report of Doug staying at his parents' house in MI prior to Venus' abduction.

If this is true, it's weird that there hasn't been huge discussion in the press, let alone in this forum, about it, and that it hasn't been mentioned before now, which makes me doubt the veracity. But Michelle is pretty good about talking w/LE. Maybe she was thrown off by what JVM was saying about parents' house in VA and didn't want to refute her on the air? I just don't know.

Has anyone seen anything on this before?

SIGONA: Yes, and then there`s another report that came out that said that he had -- in the days prior to her disappearance, was, in fact, staying with his parents there.

So for whatever reason, if he did -- possibly was there, and he got back in the truck, drove back home and then drove back to Michigan, there`s a lot of cross-country traveling going on here.

http://archives.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1005/28/ijvm.01.html

I was under the impression he was in MI for the custody hearing the week prior to her disappearance. That could explain what she's talking about. I've not seen any report or evidence he was in MI the day of her disappearance, though. As far as I know, his alibi still stands.

 

[BeanE]

I was under the impression he was in MI for the custody hearing the week prior to her disappearance. That could explain what she's talking about.

Okay maybe it's the custody hearing she was referring to then, and stretching it a bit. I just got the impression from what she said that it was closer than a week prior. Maybe he stayed on for a few days after the hearing to visit with his parents. Or maybe my idea of the days prior to a disappearance is different from Michelle's

I'll see if I can find anything else, but that really should have come up in my searches.

Thanks Calliope.

 

[Calliope]

Okay maybe it's the custody hearing she was referring to then, and stretching it a bit. I just got the impression from what she said that it was closer than a week prior. Maybe he stayed on for a few days after the hearing to visit with his parents. Or maybe my idea of the days prior to a disappearance is different from Michelle's

I'll see if I can find anything else, but that really should have come up in my searches.

Thanks Calliope.

YW

I don't know where I heard or read about him being in MI for that hearing, and it would make sense he'd stay with his parents while there. I'll search around and see if I can find a source.

ETA: I'm not having any luck. All that I can come up with are articles referencing the latest custody hearing. Maybe someone with better Google skillz can give it a shot...

 

[believe09]

Alternate scenarios are welcome here, Frank and think, as long as they do not bash the victim which is still Venus.

I get that some people are conspiracy theorists who think that it is too easy to pin this one on DS, that there is too much evidence that points to him and that those with a history of DV in their pasts might be predisposed to pick on DS.

LE says he is their POI-so it is fair for people to discuss how that might fit.

A handwritten will, a search of the premises that apparently did not turn up her note about the abuse of her child and the will, the receipt conveniently placed in the truck, the fact that some do not believe there is physical evidence of an abduction...I for one am receiving the message loud and clear that some posters believe this points to a conspiracy to frame DS for the disappearance of VS.

I would love it if VS was kickin' back in the Caribbean watching all this play out-but I am not really invested in that as a theory.

LE has much more info that we have-they are obtaining warrants and blocking the custody petition of the POI based upon what they have in hand. So I am going to sit back and watch. It sure seems pretty likely, and not based upon media frenzy but based upon 1+1=2. Sometimes, it is not that simple-agreed.

So speculate away-bring in the alternative theories, as long as they dont bash the victim of record. Who is VS. JMO.

 

[Salem]

Good morning Everybody! Hope your Memorial Day weekend is going well and everyone is getting some much needed relaxation.

Just a quick note to remind everyone to stay ON TOPIC.

This is not the thread to discuss husband/boyfriend/male bashing. If you need such a thread, please see if you can start one in the Jury Room where you may discuss the subject freely.

This thread is for Venus, so let's keep it focused, okay?

Thanks,

Salem

 

[fran]

Venus said her husband was going to kill her and then come after the children.

Venus disappears without a trace.

DS is NOW coming after the children.

DS her husband was NOT in Viriginia at the time of her disappearance, but in between his home state of Va and Mi just hours before Venus disappeared.

There are recordings, IIRCC, of DS threatening Venus.

There are receipts of items purchased just hours before Venus went missing, which quite POSSIBLY have been used in the commission of murdering and burying VS.

There is {blood} evidence in DS's truck.

There is a reported sighting of DS's truck in the vicinity of where VS was last known to have been alive.

There is no evidence of VS being alive since she disappeared.

Venus accused her husband in court documents, of sexually abusing one of the children

There has been an interview by a "sexual abuse therapist," substantiating the sexual abuse charges.

The daughter that is reported to have been sexually abused, refuses to talk about her dad.


Yep, I believe the investigation is going along just fine. LE knows much more than us,...................so does the perp................

There's no statute of limitation on murder. LE has time. They want to be sure when they make an arrest, they'll get a conviction. It's only a matter of time. Frustrating to case observers, but necessary for LE to take their time and make sure they have made NO mistakes and can convince a jury of the accused's guilt, beyond a doubt.

JMHO
fran



PS......from the above link:

http://www.threeriversnews.com/articles/2010/05/29/news/local_news/doc4c00448574b76080812437.txt

Vogel asked how the charges of abuse had been substantiated. Pond said that there had been an interview with a certified sexual abuse therapist. She also said that she’d had numerous conversations with the prosecutor in t he case.

Speaking for the children, attorney John Bush said he’d visited with the girls yesterday in Centreville and reported them to be in good spirits. “They are bright children,” he said, adding that the youngest one doesn’t seem to understand what is going on.

“I talked to them about what they used to do with their mom and dad,” Bush said.

“I didn’t get any strong feeling about how she (a daughter) feels about her dad,” he said. “It was almost like she was avoiding the subject.”

“I support the status quo — no visitation for Doug,” Bush said.

Vogel asked that a psychological evaluation of the children be done, and was told that there would be one. She also asked if the DHS case was considered a reunification case (between children and parents).

“Yes,” Evans replied.

 

[RubyRed]

DS her husband was NOT in Viriginia at the time of her disappearance, but in between his home state of Va and Mi just hours before Venus disappeared.


PS......from the above link:

.

sbbm

Where is the proof, I've only heard of the receipt. And what link?

 

[BeanE]

Thank you for that article and link, fran. I don't know how I missed that. It answers my question above about what specifically the CPS petition against Doug is for:

The DHS petition contains a complaint alleging that Stewart committed sexual abuse against his daughter, and also contains a concern that Stewart is the only person of interest in the disappearance of Venus.

 

[Calliope]

Thank you for that article and link, fran. I don't know how I missed that. It answers my question above about what specifically the CPS petition against Doug is for:

The DHS petition contains a complaint alleging that Stewart committed sexual abuse against his daughter, and also contains a concern that Stewart is the only person of interest in the disappearance of Venus.

I thought he wasn't charged.... are they re-opening the investigation ? That's not clear.