Found Deceased TX - Crystal Seratte McDowell, 38, Baytown, 25 Aug 2017 #3 *Arrest*

[arkansasmimi]

Scroll back. A verified attorney posted a TX exception to the hearsay rule.

There most likely would be Motions and the Judge would have to decide if it was allowed. Depends on different factors.
JMHO

 

[Gooddeeds]

Yes, this is right. Normally I wouldn't expect the confession to be tossed but LE in this case doesn't really have my confidence. If his confession was tossed I doubt her body could be used as evidence since they found it only because he told them where to look. We have Tim Miller saying on tv he doubts they would have found it otherwise. I just don't like how things are going and now that he has an attorney in the mix, I worry he will plead NG and try to recant. Hopefully he doesn't.

"For some Reason the father is being allowed to make concessions for the children. Of course I wish I could make some concessions for Crystal Ann. I guess her death is in vain. Forcing her to stay in a house and then strangling her to death. Isn't that 2 felonies, kidnapping and murder???Why does he now think he should now be allowed to make decisions for her children. Where is the Justice in this? This should be a Capital Murder charge with the Death Penalty assessed. Crystal received the death penalty at his hand"

 

[SuperTmo]

Thanks, but there isn't anything in that video about the prosecutor saying that. I believe the sheriff and he said that this was a reporter's error that put "living room" in the headline.

I'm fairly sure it was in the article earlier that the prosecutor said it too. It was edited at least once today to fix errors.

 

[arkansasmimi]

According to the Sheriff on the AB show tonight Crystal was killed in the bedroom. This was an informative show tonight.

Thanks
Master bedroom is right next to the family room. Come through the front door all the way straight. The breakfast nook on one side , Family room in middle and master bedroom other side windows to the back yard.
I kinda shocked they are saying so much to be honest.

 

[audge86]

If you watched the AB show you will also learn from the interview with the Aunt that currently has custody that she believes and the woman that will have custody (if the court agrees) believes that the children should continue to have a relationship with their father including phone calls and visits to him while in prison - but not right now, naturally.

Thanks. I'm not in the US so finding working videos can be difficult.

Whether they see their dad is something I don't really have an opinion on. That's up to the children, family and a therapist. Gotta trust them to make the right choice.

 

[Bird of Paradise]

While everyone is contemplating how he killed her, what type of person he is or isn't, whether it was in one room or another and whether the kids should remain in state or out of state I'd like to interject a random thought here in case some have forgotten.

He also has another daughter who is a young adult.

She is also dealing with this. I'd like to think we could keep that in mind when posting personal thoughts on his mental state and/or how horrible a person he is.

What's done is done. He will now face a judge or jury. Hashing out the specifics of did he strangle her from the front, or behind, in the living room or bedroom etc. all becomes somewhat moot at this point.

MOO

 

[Gooddeeds]

See Jeff Walters FB entry an hour ago for his thoughts on the investigation.

"She was my friend and coworker. I miss her everyday every min. She was always texting me and calling. I miss her voice. I can't stand these people who have nothing better to do but try to make something worse. We are all hurting we don't need someone belittling this situation. We all came together to get Crystal's story out so we could find her. Now we want justice and from the looks of this again Chambers co. Is dropping the ball. My heart hurts to see them treat a murderer with kit gloves like they are with this piece of trash"

 

[arkansasmimi]

The Sheriff declined to confirm that but the way the Sheriff deflected suggests that is how it happened. My takeaway from this is that it is very possible that Crystal was in the house for some significant time prior to the murder, that is it does not suggest it happened immediately.

I read that Paul wasn't getting responses to his text in afternoon? They may have went into the bedroom and was talking or maybe she was packing her stuff? Children may not have even knew she was there.

 

[pamelado2]

The name of the street is Bay Vista Drive. There are iirc 17 properties listed. Some are not built yet. The street is not loaded on Google maps. But it is there.

Just thought about something. The deed was transferred over into Steven McDowell name on 7/25/17. CM was murdered exactly 1 month later. Doubt he even make his first house payment.

Oh! That makes sense then! It was driving me crazy.

 

[cluciano63]

I have not seen any signs indicating that he plans to retract his confession?

 

[SuperTmo]

Pings don't hold up it trial much. Well they have been suppressed in most trials I followed. I seen in the trial against the guy forget his name that found guilty of kidnapping Christina Morris of Plano.

If CM was put in her car, all that flood water contaminated any evidence in that car.

Not sure how long she was inside the home, so not sure that cadavar dogs would have worked in there. She lived there so a Def Attorney would argue any hair or fingerprints, most stuff within the house or even maybe his veh. JMHO

Motel 6 depends on what the videos show. CM state of mind, she posted she was happier than been (just 2 days prior) so that could backfire trying to say she was unhappy, scared or whatever JMHO (thinking what a Def may say)

Def Attorney may say temp insanity ?? He could paint it as every thing was fine until last 3 weeks when she got the new BF. Didn't he just find out about it few days prior. What a sad mess. Thankful he didn't do a Josh Powell. jmho.

I think, to the best of my knowledge from the texts, that as far as Crystal knew SM didn't know about Paul or that he wasn't going on the cruise but Paul was as of the day before her death. I think SM may have suspected but got confirmation when/if he saw her ad on the jewelry store sign, and/or perhaps from an email regarding the cruise since they were departing a week from the night before she died. I think it all became clear to him Thursday and she was dead Friday.

 

[SuperTmo]

I have not seen any signs indicating that he plans to retract his confession?

No, but that doesn't mean he won't. But it's a possibility.

 

[Jethro4WS]

I read that Paul wasn't getting responses to his text in afternoon? They may have went into the bedroom and was talking or maybe she was packing her stuff? Children may not have even knew she was there.

Do you know if the Affidavit for the arrest or the court documents would be available yet? Those might shed more light on things.

 

[Gooddeeds]

While everyone is contemplating how he killed her, what type of person he is or isn't, whether it was in one room or another and whether the kids should remain in state or out of state I'd like to interject a random thought here in case some have forgotten.

He also has another daughter who is a young adult.

She is also dealing with this. I'd like to think we could keep that in mind when posting personal thoughts on his mental state and/or how horrible a person he is.

What's done is done. He will now face a judge or jury. Hashing out the specifics of did he strangle her from the front, or behind, in the living room or bedroom etc. all becomes somewhat moot at this point.

MOO

No one here is trying to hurt others. This is part of community grief, supporting victims and being informed for the sake of awareness. We learn from others and we can make an impact by doing so.

I understand your point, but please understand these are normal reactions to an abnormal event.

 

[pamelado2]

I read that Paul wasn't getting responses to his text in afternoon? They may have went into the bedroom and was talking or maybe she was packing her stuff? Children may not have even knew she was there.

That doesn't explain the 8am texts then. It seems more reasonable IMO if he killed her within a few minutes of her arrival and then tried to send those texts so he'd have an alibi.

 

[audge86]

I don't think he'll take back the confession or even try to make bail. He looks terrible. I think he feels like crap, as he should.

I do think he'll try to get a plea deal

I also don't think anyone here should even ask for the name of the friend who is taking the children. That's none of our business. The children(including his adult daughter) deserve privacy. I know everyone is worried for them but we've been assured that they're in good hands and that's enough.

 

[arkansasmimi]

Crystal's family seems to be on board with it, especially the Aunt who currently has custody. This may have been something that Steve and Crystal had talked about. There may even be a Will that exists, so that was what the wishes were should anything happen to both Steve and Crystal. But we don't know for sure.

Since CM parents passed when she was so young, it very well could have been something talked about. Best friend may even be Godmother.

In long run it may be better for them out of state. Not seeing something on the news or over hearing someone say something. It is going to be hard no matter what. Hopefully they can get good therapy to try work through. I feel sure they have a bond with BFF already. JMHO

 

[pamelado2]

I think, to the best of my knowledge from the texts, that as far as Crystal knew SM didn't know about Paul or that he wasn't going on the cruise but Paul was as of the day before her death. I think SM may have suspected but got confirmation when/if he saw her ad on the jewelry store sign, and/or perhaps from an email regarding the cruise since they were departing a week from the night before she died. I think it all became clear to him Thursday and she was dead Friday.

Paul said on HLN that Steve found out about them dating and Crystal wasn't happy about it. Those texts with her friend in AL were from Wednesday so he must havery found out Wednesday or Thursday.

 

[SuperTmo]

Would it be weird to send Uncle Jeff and the kids a card? I want them to know that Crystal touched my life over the two weeks she was gone. Im sure they will receive a lot of cards from their community, but I'd love for them to get them from everywhere, because I think it would help the kids realize how many people care.

 

[SuperTmo]

Paul said on HLN that Steve found out about them dating and Crystal wasn't happy about it. Those texts with her friend in AL were from Wednesday so he must havery found out Wednesday or Thursday.

Ahh. I thought they were from Thursday. Either way, it's plenty of time for him to stew over it. I wonder if he originally sent Crystal the photo of her ad at the jewelry store, like the night before as his way of telling her he was on to her. Maybe she saved it and used it to send Paul and the uncle since she was driving and probably wouldn't take one while driving. It would explain why the sky was so dark.