Invitation to Former Cop: Come on My Show!

A few months ago, I was invited to be interviewed on A&E Biography on Drew Peterson who they were profiling.  My initial reaction was outage.  How is it possible for a man who, in my opinion, took the lives of Kathleen Savio and Stacy Peterson, to be given such importance?  

When I learned who as not going to be included in the hour long show, I agreed to be interviewed.  In my opinion, someone had to speak out on intimate partner homicide, a subject few know, understand or have survived.  One thing many may not realize is when you are interviewed on a show such as this, you are not paid.  Not one red cent went into my pocket, and never does, when I speak out in defense of these women.  I always do my best to be the voice for those who were silenced.

Some in the public forget that I was the daughter of a Chicago Police Detective.  After years of similar games, no different than Peterson, my mother was unable to get anyone to listen or provide help, she was murdered. My hero father, loved and revered by so many, took a gun and murdered my mother in cold blood.   He, too, could have gotten away with murder and lived, but as so many other cowards, he took the easy way out.   From that moment at the crime scene, after discovering their bodies, I vowed to change the way society swept the lives of women and children victims of violence and homicide off to the side as if it never happened; somehow I was going to prevent others like my mother from being murdered.  The programs, media, radio shows, books, lectures, trainings and direct services have saved thousands of women and their children from ending up like my mother.  

A former Chicago Police Officer by the name of Paul Huebl, who, by the way knew my father, decided to write about the A& E show.   While I believe that everyone is entitled to their opinion of my work, and I also believe in the presumption of innocence, even for Drew Peterson, I don’t believe it warrants a personal attack or name calling.  To personally attack me is attacking all the women who stand behind me for protection.

A comment left on Mr. Huebl’s site reads:

“That Milano douchebag blogger would not stop canonizing any woman Peterson ever slept with as a saintly victim including that drug addict. Milano is out of touch and her blog is nothing but re-written Hosey stories.”

He has been invited to be a guest on a future radio show, we will see if he accepts the invitation to discuss this case from both sides. 

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/ 

Bring Stacy Peterson Home!

Family and loved ones of missing Bolingrbook, IL, mother Stacy Peterson who vanished on October 28, 2007, are asking all us to keep them in their prayers as they continue to sit the phone waiting for the news that her body has been found and she can finally be brought home.

A post today about this unsolved case is featured today at Women in Crime Ink to keep her case in the public eye.


ImaginePublicity

‎Susan Murphy-Milano was blogging about the disappearance of Stacy Peterson before the national news picked up the story. She has, from day one, had a pulse on the actions of Drew Peterson, former Bolingbrook Police Sergeant, with a certain “knowing” from experience

Susan Murphy Milano and A&E Biography of Drew Peterson Monday, December 20 « ImaginePublicity

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Drew Peterson is currently awaiting trail for the murder of his third wife, Kathleen Peterson. Drew was a cop, who had a reputation for going rogue in order to make the bust. As a kid he was a high achiever, but also a bit of a class clown. He has been married four times. 

His third wife’s death was originally ruled an accident. But when his fourth wife went missing, investigators began to wonder if Drew had something to do with it. This profile delves into Drew’s past, including his many romances, in an effort to better understand the man behind the controversy.



Susan Murphy Milano was blogging about the disappearance of Stacy Peterson before the national news picked up the story.  She has, from day one, had a pulse on the actions of Drew Peterson, former Bolingbrook Police Sergeant, with a certain “knowing” from experience.  The daughter of a Chicago police detective and veteran abuser, Murphy Milano could sense from the very moment she saw Drew Peterson’s mannerisms and attitude that something was amiss with his story of Stacy’s vanishing.

Contacted by A&E Biography to give her personal account and opinion, Susan gives her expertise in the are of officer involved intimate partner homicie,  bringing the voices of those who are silenced to the story of Drew Peterson.  What makes Drew Peterson tick?  Tune in Monday, December 20 at 10pm ET!  Check your local listings.

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/

Profiling A Psychopath Series Part 1: Drew Peterson

According to the Institute of Relational Harm and Public Psychopathy Education, there are approximately six million men in the United states with psychopathic traits. In my opinion, former Bolingbrook police Sergeant Drew Peterson, awaiting trial for the murder of his third wife Kathleen Savio and with the disappearance of his current wife Stacy Peterson (still missing), each met their fate at the hands of Peterson. With detail and precision luring Stacy and Kathleen into a relationship, the outcome, inevitable harm.

Sandra L. Brown, M.A., Author and CEO of the Institute, a psychotherpist has worked in psychopatholgy for over 20 years.

Within intimate partner violence and homicide we only see the aftermath of the offender's behavior or action; the outcome results in a crime or death, but no one ever really explains and identifies a violent offender within a relationship. Until now. In my opinion the work of Sandra Brown, M.A. and the Institute is the piece of the missing puzzle as it directly relates to psychopaths, sociopaths and narcissists.

"Psychopaths are highly pleasure motivated and excesssively seek out what they enjoy. This includes lots of high-status posessions, the need to be constantly entertained and distracted, hyper-sexual, wanting to be dominant with their social circles, and by all means requiring lots of power."

So why have I decided to disect and discuss only one man out of approximately six million in the weeks ahead? Because I am hoping it will assist first responders, prosecutors, social workers and clergy directing the more than six million victims to safety, when they understand to whom a victim of intimate partner violence is joined like super glue at the hip.

Victims of intimate partner violence have been at war for too, long, time's up!

[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 visit http://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

Stacy Peterson "Bring Her Home"

Get out your vomit buckets! The story's headline on August 16th, from part 2 in the Chicago Sun-Times series in bold black ink reads " Drew Peterson-Not easy Being A National Pastime."
According to Wikidepia "a national sport or national pastime is a sport or game that is considered to be an intrinsic part of the culture of a nation. "

The killing of ones' own wife, girlfriend or significant other, also known as intimate partner homicide, has in fact become a carefully strategized "national game" among those who deliberately take their wives and girlfriends out of their lives. So, what Peterson is really saying, with a bull horn behind iron bars, in his carefully crafted blood soaked hand, "ladies and gentlemen, this is just a game." If we look at those who murder their intimate partners, each one of the offenders lost the game when charged and convicted of the crime. But, Peterson is betting otherwise, as evidence since day one going back to March 1, 2004, when Kathleen was murdered.

Even behind bars, with his game face on, Peterson is betting the prosecutors in Will County, Illinois, do not have enough for a conviction. Sadly, he just be might right.

The Chicago Sun-Times has provided a playing field, or a national stadium, for, in my expert opinion, a "skilled mommy murderer".

In a stadium all games begin with the crowd standing, singing the national Anthem. Peterson's song is, "I killed my third wife isn't that nice, watch as I get away with it twice." In Peterson's case no one heard anyone singing during the world series playoff's in 2004 because deals were made behind closed doors as to who would win the championship, when the then prosecutor, Tomczak, forfeited the game, ignoring facts and pleas's for assistance from Kathlen Savio by handing Peterson his victory with bases loaded. The final game victory pitch, a walk ending the national series, with a 1 to nothing score. Peterson 1 the state of Illinois 0.

In October of 2007, Peterson enters the stadium once again, "ha, he says, been there done this before, easy hit for another home run." With a frenzy, the national media camps outside the home of Stacy Peterson, reporting blow by blow game plays and appearances, including Peterson's own words, joking and laughing in classic killer, abuser style. Watching him often reminded me of my own father, who laughed almost idential in pitch and tone as Peterson, as they believed being in law enforcement meant you were smarter than everyone else.

I wonder how the Chicago Sun-Times and it's editors feel about being played? Because, in fact, they have been. They should now understand how easy it is for victims of violence to be under the spell of a manipulative abuser. This time the paper has gone too far, enabling Peterson to continue to present and defend himself while his victims,the mother(s) of his children, have been silenced. Never once have they done an in depth investigation and reported on the cases of Kathleen Savio or Stacy Peterson. It is a fact that none of us, with the expection of the surving family members, ever remember the names of any of the victims from high profile cases like Ted Bundy, Richard Speck, Christopher Vaughn or John Wayne Gacey.

There was a time when reporters looked and weighed all sides to a case before printing a story. I recall over the years being upset with the media when they would agree to print something about a victim of violence and then say something to me like, "we are also going to interview the abuser or the killer for the story." If they could not interview the abuser they would seek out a quote from a neighbor, friend or co-worker. It was always the same song, "he was such a good dad" or, "he was always the go to guy in the neighborhood" and I think to myself, after reading it, aren't they all? I guess the best example, from personal experience, is trying to enlist the assistance of others for help while my mother was still alive, she had no place to go. When I discovered her body, at her own crime scene, I was placed in a position, defending my mother to my father's fellow officer's when they said point blank, "She drove him to it." Those words would be the fuel that would ignite and flame a 20- plus year fire for intimate partner homicide.

The only front page story the Chicago Sun-Times and every other television and print media should be reporting and writing on is the unsolved murders of these two women. Give these cases as much ink as Peterson and just maybe, you say to their families and others of violent crimes, that intimate violence behind closed doors in the home is a serious criminal matter.

To the editors and reporters of the Chicago Sun-Times, you have your facts turned inside out like a stained pair of boxer shorts. Stacy Peterson did not simply vanish. She was removed from her home, in my opinion, taken out of the game called life. A common theme among criminal offenders. Stacy Peterson is missing and yet you print his words as though they are important, leaving others to believe that Stacy Peterson's life is similar to a foul ball in a game, it simply does not count. Two days in a row you have slapped justice in the face for these 2 women. The only headline you should write, going forward, is "BRING HER HOME." You still have an opportunity to investigate, even though you are in the 8th inning of this world series game, and properly report on Stacy Peterson until she is found and given a proper resting place by friends and family.

To keep up on the happenings in this case go to the http://www.petersonstory.wordpress.com/ and http://www.websleuths.com/

"If you are outraged by the Chicago Sun Time and their disregard for the families of Kathleen Savio and Stacy Peterson by making headlines of Drew Peterson's jailhouse letters, do your part and let them know by calling, emailing or faxing. Nothing will change unless action is taken. The columnist, Micheal Sneed and her editor, should know that by making decisions based on headlines and readership instead of integrity and ethics is one of the reasons the public fuels people like Drew Peterson."

Fax number to the Chicago Sun Times is 312-321-3084

Michael Sneeds direct email address is : msneed@suntimes.com

Andrew Hermann, Managing Editor 312-321-3000

Zach Finken, News Editor 312-321-3000

Part 5 : The Series Continue's on the Times Up Blog, Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Drew Peterson Case: Defense Plays Possum

Once again, the lead legal marshmallow roaster on the Drew Peterson  defense team continued to strike below the belt in the search by Illinois State Police Investigators for Stacy Peterson in Peoria, Illinois. The legal roaster is asking a judge to require the State to provide the investigative reports related to the downstate dig.

The State police, by the way, received one hell of a hot lead into where Stacy Peterson, in my opinion, could have been buried.  I mentioned in an earlier post, if you follow the letter written and postmarked on November 12, 2007, just 16 days after Stacy vanished, you will likely find a body. In my opinion, the letter was Peterson’s way of providing the most valuable clue but it was missed until 33 months later when State Police received a more than solid lead.

No different than the chicken wings once offered to a handful of Chicago patrons and the media from the legal marshmallow roaster, he is behaving more like a human chicken, flapping his arms and mouth demanding to know what Illinois State Police uncovered during the search. It is doubtful the judge will grant the release of the reports as it does not relate to the impending murder trial, just days away, of wife #3 Kathleen Savio.

The Herald quoted my favorite marshmallow roaster as saying "The state police finally have it right," he said. "Stacy is playing possum."

The definition of a possum according to Wikipedia:

A possum (plural form: possums) is any of about 69 small to medium-sized arboreal marsupial species native to Australia, New Guinea, and Sulawesi (and introduced to New Zealand and China). The name derives from their resemblance to the opossums of the Americas. The term "possum" is also used in North America as a short form of "Opossum".
Possums are quadrupedal diprotodont marsupials with long tails. The smallest possum, indeed the smallest diprotodont marsupial, is the Little Pygmy Possum with an adult head-body length of 70mm and a weight of 10g. The largest is the Bear Cuscus that may exceed 7 kg. Possums are typically nocturnal and at least partially arboreal. The various species inhabit most vegetated habitats and a few species have adjusted well to urban settings.

He should know his own brain has been playing possum a long time now. And for the record, so has any reasonable legal defense of his client.

"Another Casuality of War"

In a guest book on the Internet filled with family, friends and strangers Pamela Taschuk life is remembered for her courage and strength for moving forward away from her abusive husband knowing the consequences. The 48-year-old was a juvenile probation officer and social worker. Pamela was murdered a week ago today. Like thousands of other women who lose their lives daily from domestic violence in the home, Pamela was in constant fear of her husband. In September filed for divorce and obtained a court order keep her husband Allen away .

Police responded to the home some 48 times over a 15 year period. Allen Taschuk was arrested a total of 3 times in those 15years, the most recent incident at the end of August police arrested him allowing Pamela to obtain a court order of protection.

Unfortunately,, there is no one size fits all plan for your safety. But there are steps you can take to increase your chances. If your instinct kicks in and you feel contacting the police will be too dangerous, trust those instincts. Victims are in a “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” decision. Any legal action you take is not a guarantee of protection from further abuse. The abuser could care less, and obtaining a court order of protection may increase the violence or cause serious injury or cost you your life. You must weigh the consequences.

If my own mother Roberta Murphy murdered in 1989 by my police officer father were alive today she would tell you to have a strong plan of action before contacting a divorce lawyer or obtaining a court order of protection.

If you are or know someone in an abusive relationship help is a phone call away. Services are confidential and free of charge. Contact the National Coalition at 1-800-799 SAFE.

Suggest Books:

The Gift of Fear by Gavin DeBecker

Defending Our Lives: getting aaway from domestic violence & staying safe

Moving Out Moving On: When a Relationship Goes Wrong

Children's Lives After a Homicide

The topic of children forced to continue with a "normal" productive life after living with years of abuse, resulting in murder, is not a subject covered by the media. We often forget about the kids left behind. On June 10, 2009 at 3:00PM Central time, on The Susan Murphy Milano show, Pam Munson and I will discuss the topic of children whose fathers have killed their mothers. It is an important subject: as the lives of the children witnessing violence and terror in their homes, if they survive, live the remainder of their days on earth often in darkness and without hope.

To read about Pam Munson, head on over to Women and Crime Ink.

According to "Legal Roaster" Cops Held at Higher Standard?

Earlier this week a judge denied bond for the former Georgia Police Sgt.Sam Parker charged in the murder of his wife Theresa Parker whose body has not been found.

Theresa Parker vanished in March of 2007. And the couple were finalizing their divorce. So the former officer will remain in jail. A trial date has not been set.

And what about Georgia Sheriff Derrick Yancey from Atlanta who paid the $150,000 cash bond after being charged with the murders of his wife Linda Yancey also a police officer and a day laborer. They put him on a home monitoring device. Tweleve hours later it was discovered that he escaped and has been on the run for 7 weeks. Anyone with information on Derrick Yancey's whereabouts could go to the http://www.amw.com/fugitives/brief.cfm?id=64701 Web site, or call 1-800-CRIME-TV.

Then their is Drew Peterson charged with the murder of wife #3 Kathleen Savio who sits in a Will County jail awaiting another hearing on Thursday, May 21, 2009. Apparently my favorite legal marshmallow roaster made a comment on one of the talk shows claiming "cops are held to a tougher standard in domestic violence claims against them." What planet has he been practicing law? "Abusers R US?"

Fact is law enforcement officers are not held to any such standard as it relates to police perpetrated crimes in the home. For more on the subject go to part 2 of the Drew Peterson series with myself and Robin Sax over at Women In Crime Ink.

"Returning To The Scene of A Love Crime"

Delores Joseph, 31 and the mother of 3 children ages, 3,12 and 14, left her home and ran to the store. She told her children “I’ll be right back.”

On March 5, 2009 in a canal police discovered the 31 year mother, murdered.

Five days prior, police arrested Joseph’s husband, Dwayne “Keke” Joseph, on domestic violence charges stemming from separate incidents involving Delores Joseph. He is charged with aggravated assault, false imprisonment and second-degree battery are among the charges this coward faces.“According to news accounts the couple separated in September 2008, according to a letter from Delores Joseph’s family. Shortly afterward, Dwayne Joseph allegedly returned to the home and vandalized Delores Joseph’s car and then her rental car, the family letter stated.“Delores returned home one night, and Dwayne jumped out of the closet and attempted to assault her,” the letter stated. “Delores defended herself with an iron.”The couple eventually reconciled their differences until Feb. 7. While the two were leaving a Mardi Gras ball, he allegedly turned on her and began beating and choking her in the backseat of a car. One week later, Dwayne Joseph allegedly held Delores and her friend at gunpoint. The two were able to escape unharmed. Delores Joseph and her children spent three days at a shelter”

There are enough violent episodes in their relationship to see all the bells and whistles. Yes, I realize it is easy to say, because the woman is gone. But maybe somewhere in cyber land we can learn from this tragedy.

You may know a Delores, Mary, Roberta or Renee. This person could be a friend, relative co-co-worker or neighbor. Almost daily we read about these tragedies after the fact. What are we doing to help families in these situations? This issue of domestic violence perpetrated homicide continues to be an epidemic without adequate solutions on a case by case basis.

Women return back to the scene of the crime. “Returning home” they love the person who is abusing them. There are not in love with being beaten, kicked punched and almost killed. They love the person with whom they began their life’s journey. A woman thinks and believes the person will change. What they don’t see is that once they are chocked, kicked or a gun pulled to their temple, if they escape in one piece, they should never, ever return.

The abuser has already laid the foundation. The phrase, “if you leave, I will find you. If I find I will kill you is difficult for many women to believe. A woman doesn’t really see the person she loves being capable of murder. But how can they not see? On Friday’s Oprah show as they were discussing Rihanna and Chris Brown, she hoped the couple would seek professional counseling. That the couple would spend time apart and work through the problems. And Oprah and her panel made interesting observations in the matter. I wonder if the next we read about Rihanna the headlines will read “No More Music.”

My mother was no different. It didn’t matter much what my father did to her. In the end, just before he put the cold barrel of the gun to her head, she loved him. And, at the same time my mother feared him. But, she always said “I have things under control.” She did not. Nor do any of us in a violent relationship.

You cannot control the actions of another person. No one can.

But you can get out. All if you have to do is believe anything is possible.