New Tool Provides Victims of Domestic Violence a Voice in the Courtroom- Part 1

[go to the middle of the above photo and the video will play the news story]

Marcella Raymond
WGN News

November 9, 2011

One in four women is abused. Nationwide eight women a day are murdered by an abuser. But now there is a new tool that is helping women stay alive and giving them a voice in the process.


The evidentiary abuse affidavit was born out of Stacy Peterson’s disappearance. It is a tool advocates say will wipe out hearsay since it comes from the woman herself. First she details on paper abuse that, for some, has gone on for decades. The affidavit is witnessed by at least two people and notarized. Then she reads it on tape.


Susan Murphy-Milano has advocated for abused women for more than 20 years. She created the Evidentiary Abuse Affidavit.


Through Murphy-Milano, at least 1,000 women in the last year have made the evidentiary abuse affidavit. All of them are still alive.


DuPage County State`s Attorney Robert Berlin says while the Evidentiary Abuse Affidavit statements would take away hearsay, now the 6th Amendment comes in to play where a defendant has the right to confront a witness against him. Unless there`s more evidence that proves he made her disappear so she couldn`t testify.


The Evidentiary Abuse Affidavit will be available December 25th in app form at apple stores nationwide. The Technology has been developed by WetStone Technologies.


You can also get all the information in Susan Murphy-Milano's book “Time's Up.” It's available on her website www.susanmurphymilano.com


Part 2 of this series Monday, November 14, 2011

Susan Murphy Milano is a staff member of the Institute for Relational Harm Reduction and Public Pathology Education as a educator and specialist with intimate partner violence prevention strategies directing prevention for high risk situations and cases.

A national trainer to law enforcement, training officers, prosecutors, judges, legislators, social service providers, healthcare professionals, victim advocates and the faith based community. In partnership with Management Resources Ltd. of New York addressing prevention and solutions within the community to the workplace.

Online contributions: Forbes : Crime, She Writes providing commentary about the hottest topics on crime, justice, and law from a woman’s perspective, as well as Time's Up! a blog which searches for solutions (SOS) for victims of crime.

Radio Shows: Susan is the host of The Susan Murphy Milano Show, "Time's Up!" . She is a regular contributor to the nationally syndicated "The Roth Show" with Dr Laurie Roth and a co-host on Crime Wire.

Books: Time's Up: A Guide on How to Leave and Survive Abusive and Stalking Relationships,Moving out, Moving on, and Defending Out Lives.

www.imaginepublicity.com

Drew Peterson Remains Behind Bars and Stacy Peterson Remains Missing

Earlier today, the Illinois Supreme court denied a motion from the defense team of Drew Peterson's to be released from jail while they review the appeal filed by the Will County State's Attorney's office in the case. Peterson has been behind bars since he was charged in the murder of Kathleen Savio in May of 2009. His bond remains at $20 million dollars.

On another note, Peterson in the news should be a reminder to the citizens of Illinois, Stacy Peterson, mother is still missing. Next month will mark the fourth year anniversary when she was, in my opinion, erased from the earth.

Hunting season is also around the corner, so perhaps hunters can be reminded through the Illinois National Resources websites to be aware and keep their eyes open this hunting season.

And social sites can continue getting Stacy's information out to the public. From Facebook to Twitter  to web and community sites and faith based organizations.

Stacy Peterson was silenced, we are her only voice, let's get busy!

Missing Since: 10/28/07

Missing from: Bolingbrook, IllinoisClassification: MissingAge at disappearance: 23Height: 5’2″Weight: 100 lbs.Hair Color: BrownEye Color: BrownRace: WhiteGender: FemaleDistinguishing Characteristics: Long, straight,brown hair with blonde highlights.She has a tattoo of ablue and yellow carnation on the small of her back and ascar across her stomach.Clothing: Police believe she may have left thehouse wearing a jogging suit.

Details of Disappearance

Stacy was last heard from on October 28, 2007 at around 10 AM. She was supposed to meet a friend to help paint a house. She shares a home with her husband, police Sgt. Drew Peterson. He told police that he last spoke with his wife at 9 PM on the day she disappeared but hadn’t seen her since the morning. He claims she called to tell him she was leaving with another man but that story is under scrutiny.

Bolingbrook Police Department  (630) 226-8600

Website dedicated to Stacy Peterson’s disappearance

Americas Most Wanted

If you have any information on this case please contact CUE Center For Missing Persons using the contact form below or contact Cue Center at (910) 343-1131 24 hour tipline (910) 232-1687.

Document The Abuse contains vital information on how the EAA can support each case of abuse from the perspective of the first responders and advocates, to an appearance in court.  It explains the legal benefits to the abuse victim, whether they are able to testify or not, how their words are forever documented and hold up in court, much like a Living Will.

Susan Murphy Milano is a staff member of the Institute for Relational Harm Reduction and Public Pathology Education as a educator and specialist with intimate partner violence prevention strategies directing prevention for high risk situations and cases.

 A national trainer to law enforcement, training officers, prosecutors, judges, legislators, social service providers, healthcare professionals, victim advocates and the faith based community and author.. In partnership with Management Resources Ltd. of New York addressing prevention and solutions within the community to the workplace. Host of The Susan Murphy Milano Show,"Time'sUp!" . She is a regular contributor to the nationally syndicated "The Roth Show" with Dr Laurie Roth and a co-host onCrime Wire. Online contributions: Forbes : Crime, She Writes providing commentary about the hottest topics on crime, justice, and law from a woman’s perspective, as well as Time's Up! a blog which searches for solutions (SOS) for victims of crime.****

If you would like to schedule Susan Murphy Milano for interviews, please contact: ImaginePublicity PO BOX 14946 Surfside Beach, SC 29587 Phone: 843.808.0859 email- contact@imaginepublicity.com

The Susan Murphy Milano Show- "Time's Up" Live Thursday 2-4 PM Eastern Time

Thursdays from 2pm to 4pm Eastern

The Susan Murphy Milano Show

"Time's Up!"


Thursday, March 10

2pm-3pm:

Lynn Tolson


Author of "Beyond the Tears: A True Survivor's Story", a memoir about overcoming abuse and adversity. About mind, body, spirit transformation and a message of hope.


Joe Turner, father of murdered Chanda Turner, and spearheading the reform of the Oklahoma medical examiners office Senate Bill SB250 (www.justiceforthedead.com) will be calling in from the steps of the Oklahoma capital for a report on the progress of the bill.

3pm-4pm:


"Police Officer Involved Family Violence"

Guests:

Wives of police officeers, Bernadette Avila, Clara Colon and the family of Nancy Rojo, who as a witnesses watched, Sheriff Alexander Rojo pulled out a handgun and, without saying a word, shot his wife three times, stood over her and fired five more bullets, according to police. He then sat down on the street curb and shot himself.

Known as the “Jane Wayne of Justice,” Susan Murphy Milano always stands up as a voice for those who are silenced in a world of intimidation and violence within their homes and in courtrooms across the country.

Live from:

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If you missed the shows, you can listen to the archive or download the podcast here:


Here Women Talk is a fresh, new spot for women to socialize, inspire and learn from each other. I know you will want to join in the interactive social network as well as listen to the radio broadcast each week. Join us in the chat room, socialize and ask questions!

http://herewomentalk.com
http://herewometalksocial.com

Clara Colon:"On October 29, 2010 I wrote a post titled"Murder in Progress: Elizabeth New Jersey." About a police officer's wife who found the courage, after 13 years of abuse and threats on her life and that of her children's lives, to press criminal charges against him. He is acommissioned police officer."

Bernadette Avila and Nancy Rojo story: http://murphymilanojournal.blogspot.com/search?q=bernadette

Susan Murphy Milano is with the Institute for Relational Harm Reduction and Public Pathology Education. She is an expert on intimate partner violence and homicide crimes. For more information visithttp://www.saferelationshipsmagazine.com/ She is also in partnership with Pamela Chapman and iAscend Programs.http://pamelachapmanl.biz

Susan is the author of "Time's Up A Guide on How to Leave and SurviveAbusive 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 Here Women Talk http://www.herewomentalk.com/and is a regular contributor to the nationally syndicated The Roth Show with Dr Laurie Roth. Susan is a survivor- the daughter of a police officer family intimate partner homicide by her Chicago detective father who murdered her mother before committing suicide.

Beth Bentley: Fact She is Missing!

Beth Bentley, 41 went missing on May 23^rd 2010. In my opinion, after viewing various documents and interviews this is a case of intimate partner homicide. Someone who knew Beth Bentley, in my opinion is responsible for her disappearance.

Earlier today Monica Caison, founder of the Cue Center for missing persons appeared on my show "Time's Up" along with Beth Bentley’s brother Ron Michelson to briefly discuss the case.

For months rumors have been circling since she vanished.

Fact: Beth Bentley is missing. She did not just pick up and leave to begin a new life. As in each of these cases a mother would never leave her children. And at the time of her vanishing she was allegedly pregnant.

Fact: When Beth Bentley did not return home, it was her son from a previous marriage contacted the police. Earlier reports indicated otherwise, but those reports are false. Each time her son called to follow-up he was allegedly dismissed by law enforcement and told “they were waiting for tips to come in.” When the son made posters and was going to hang them around the area and at the train station, again law enforcement allegedly said “don’t bother hanging posters it’s a waste of time.”

Fact: There has been no cell phone usage since May 23, 2010 or credit card activity.

Fact: A few months after Beth Bentley went missing, a “love interest” moved into the marital home with her children.

There is more twist and turns in this case then a tornado. In the weeks and months ahead they will be revealed.

Another disturbing fact is that on September 10, 2010, a special grand jury indicted McHenry County State's Attorney Louis Bianchi on conspiracy and official misconduct charges that accuse him of using county employees and equipment for political purposes. So that translates into the State’s Attorney’s office being turned upside down.

Given the players and the circumstances surrounding this case it may take a special prosecutor to move this case in a new direction.

Fact: The devil is in the details.

On the January 19, 2011, the Police from Woodstock said “their active investigation is over.”

This case is not over by a long shot. In my opinion, it has just begun.

On December 2, 2010, the CUE Center launched the "Miles For Beth Bentley" campaign. Please, if you are from the area help the Cue Center by posting this information in the community and on blogs, websites, churches and the community.

The link posters and other information is HERE.

And finally, Fact: Beth Bentley is missing and she deserves to be found!

There is a $5,000 reward being offered in this case. To report a confidential tip the number to call is 910-232-1687 (24 hour tip-line)

Miles for Beth Bentley Campaign

How is works…
You register at the site for “Miles for Beth Bentley” and navigate to the county you live in or are familiar with, search for any road way and adopt it. Once you adopt the road or street, you must register that information on the site. This effort will aid the search for Beth as it is imperative to locate information on her travels and or whereabouts. Each ADPOTED” road or street that is delivered posters door to door, will allow us to obtain knowledge on Beth and where might have been in her travels. This campaign is open to anyone who would like to help in this case.

Purpose:
The concept for this campaign is to garner the attention of the general public and media outlets in an effort to aid in awareness of a missing mother, Beth Bentley; and to help identify areas of interest to conduct future search efforts.

Objective:
To challenge citizens of the state of Illinois to participate in locating Beth Bentley who remains missing. We hope to eliminate roads, streets and highways in search of any clue or tip she may have left behind. Our ultimate goal to locate missing, Beth Bentley and afford her family a resolution.

Link to Mapquest to the routes that Beth may have traveled. In and around the area of the blue line is the possible directions of travel.

Susan Murphy Milano is with the Institute for Relational Harm Reduction and Public Pathology Education. She is an expert on intimate partner violence and homicide crimes. For more information visithttp://www.saferelationshipsmagazine.com/ She is the author of "Time's Up A Guide on How to Leave and SurviveAbusive 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 Here Women Talkhttp://www.herewomentalk.com/and is a regular contributor to the nationally syndicated The Roth Show with Dr. Laurie Rothhttp://www.therothshow.com/

Following the Money Trail Leading to Murder!

Earlier in the week A& E Biography profiled former Bolingbrook Police Sergeant Drew Peterson whom is locked up in a Will County, Illinois jail awaiting trial the murder of Kathleen Savio.

Whatever hair the Peterson team lead legal marshmallow roaster does not have left on his head, I am sure the "source" that leaked the $15,000 his client received for payment made public in Michael Sneed's column was more than a shock. And my hats off to Michael Sneed for reporting on this fact. Especially, when he's oh so close to the reporter, was not given a head's up.  I am sure he is fuming as to who leaked the information and if he thinks for a moment, it's a short putt.

Apparently Peterson supplied photos and videos for the A& E program.  In exchange he received a $15,000 payday that will go towards paying "his" expert at trial.

Interesting and very sad at the same time, from behind bars he is still collecting dividends from, in my opinion, murder.

I had a thought about the money.  Since Stacy Peterson is still missing and he is still legally married to her doesn't half of that $15,000 belong to her?  What about all the money he gave his son?  Isn't that also a marital asset?  The house, isn't that still jointly in the name of Stacy Peterson?  How is he allowed to pay for a defense when half the money is hers?  Would the Will County States's Attorney's office be able to freeze assets by court order until such time it is determined where she is? Or pending the outcome of not one but, perhaps 2 trials?

Drew Peterson was paid for a show about himself when there is a young woman and mother of two still missing.  He has benefited in so many ways while we all know he was the very last person to see her alive.

Follow the money trail it all ends to the road of murder.


The Magical Illusion of Christmas is on the The Time's Up Blog Today: Click Here

(Susan Murphy Milano is with the Institute for Relational Harm Reduction and Public Pathology Education. She is an expert on intimate partner violence and homicide crimes. For more information visithttp://www.saferelationshipsmagazine.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 Here Women Talk http://www.herewomentalk.com/ and is a regular contributor to the nationally syndicated The Roth Show with Dr. Laurie Roth  http://www.therothshow.com/ )

Exclusive: Kathleen Savio's Fight for Justice

The conversation regarding the abuse Kathleen Savio suffered at the hands of Drew Peterson should have begun in 1993 when she was treated at an Illinois hospital for the deep gash she received on her head by her then police officer husband. But it not.

From 1993 thru 2002 we will never know for certain how often Kathleen Savio placed calls for assistance to either 911 or the Bolingbrook police department where her then husband was employed because she was being stalked and beaten. Every move she made was tracked by either Peterson or his buddy Richard Mimms. Believing she had an avenue for assistance

Kathleen Savio found herself on the steps of the Will County courthouse. Once inside the safety of the metal detectors Kathleen headed up the elevator to meet with the State's Attorney. As a follow up to her conversations, she documented and prepared letters, pleading for help. Here also, no one will ever know how many times she dialed that office because they is no record. Those letters would surface after she was found dead in 2004, but they were useless. As evidenced during the coroner's inquest to determine her cause of death, changing the death certificate from accidental to homicide. But they did not happen.

And it was not likely the truth would ever be told, until 2007 when Stacy Peterson, the current wife would be reported missing by her sister Cassandra Cales.

Yesterday, on Intimate Partner Homicide, hosted by Sheryl McCollum, Holly Hughes and Susan Murphy Milano, in an exclusive interview with Kathleen's sister Sue Domain, provided a glimpse into this woman's life and nightmare of abuse, stalking and violence.

Why didn't anyone listen? Why was her death never investigated properly? And why did it take another woman to go missing before anyone would believe Kathleen's accusations of abuse? This is perhaps one of the best documented cases of abuse and murder where a victim has been silenced by a justice system created to serve and protect. Instead they all stood silent, carrying her body to the grave site.

I invite you to download or listen to the show replay here by turning up the volume on your computer. Or, you can go to www.blogtalkradio.com/susanmurphymilano to download the show.

Listen to internet radio with Susan Murphy Milano on Blog Talk Radio

Proposed Illinois Bill Will Do Nothing For Victims

On April 6, 2008, Mercedes McCauley was gunned down as she was leaving church by her estranged boyfriend Glenn Martinez.

Mercedes had secured an order of protection back in November of 2007, and she was scheduled to return back in court in April before a Judge.

Glenn Martinez was a class-x- felon and on parole for an unrelated crime that involved murder. Automatically, criminals are denied any type of bond.

I spent years in courtroom advocating for battered woman and securing court orders that included a safety plan once the order by a judge was in place. Often, it was our domestic violence agency who provided the groundwork and had the individual on parole sent back to prison.

Automatically, common sense really, I would contact the parole agent, speak to the State's Attorney on the case and the Offender would be sent back to do the remainder of their prison sentence. In addition, more time would be added at a later date during a scheduled court hearing on the violation.

In today's article in both the Chicago newspapers, headline read "Bill would tighten State's Leash on Parolees". Hogwash! If people were doing their jobs in the first place, women such as Mercedes McCauley would be alive, today. It was pure ignorance in court the day Mercedes secured that court order. The State's Attorney is suppose to read to the Judge the Offenders criminal history and the fact that person is on parole at the order of protection hearing. It never happened.

The court docket that day was on overload as it is most days with victims just like Mercedes jumping through hoops just to obtain an order of protection. And no doubt court staff were too busy.

The new bill proposed says "parolees must notify their
parole agents within 24 hours of receiving a restraining order"

That is not going to happen. You cannot leave that up to the parolee. They will likely kill their victim before "alerting" a parole agent who is already overloaded with cases. And who is going to allow a victim to send them back to prison? The State's Attorney must be the one to notify the parole agent immediately. The victim must be instructed at the time of making a police report to inform the officer the offender is on parole. Then the offender is returned back to prison.

This new Bill is ignorant to the obvious solution to a growing problem within courts across the country as it pertains to court orders of protection.

http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/935997,CST-NWS-stalk07.article

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-parolee-law-07may07,0,4226601.story

http://murphymilanojournal.blogspot.com/search/label/Mercedes%20McCauley