Lisa Nettie Annette Peterson's Murder Trial Resume's Today

In Muncie Indiana, the murder trial continues today for Benjamin Hankins, a former Gaston, IN reserve police officer and correctional officer who is standing trial for the murder of his estranged wife Lisa Nettie Annette Peterson who’d left and filed for divorce the previous year..

Hankins has tried to say since the shooting on June 3, 2011 of Lisa was in self-defense?   She was shot 3 times.  During the trial last week Pathologist Paul Mullen took the stand (coverage by the Star Press) • “said the 32-year-old victim was likely hit by three bullets -- one in the leg; one that passed through her arm, creating an apparent defensive wound, and then entered her chest and lung, and a third bullet that passed through her lower torso. The victim essentially bled to death, Mellen said, and likely could have survived her wounds only with a quick emergency medical response. Authorities allege Benjamin Hankins waited 17 minutes after firing the gunshots before he called 911.

The Pathologist also testified the victim's leg wounds, caused by a single bullet, could have been inflicted after she had fallen to the floor, and then held her legs up in an desperate bid to shield herself from more gunfire.

What is also troubling is the youngest child heard their mother scream and plead for her life, just before she was murdered. There are also threatening text messages sent by Hankins to Lisa’s cell phone being entered into the court record.  Hankins was no boy scout, an angry violent man solving what he couldn’t control with violence that resulted in the cold blooded murder of Lisa.  The mother of three was not match for the trained killer. 

The defense would have been better served to plea bargain the case prior to trial. When you represent a cowardly killer and the evidence is overwhelming, you pick up your big boy briefs and do the best you can for your client instead of trying to ask the court to rule a mistrial when damaging testimony cooks the client like a pan on a hot stove.  

This former officer demanded she return with the children and be a family, or else.  A common thread in many cases of intimate partner violence that leads to homicide. The offender almost always gives an ultimatum to their victims before they kill them. Hankin's behavior, actions and pattern of conduct were like following the sheet music to the hit song " If You Leave Me, I Will Kill You," with the final notes ending in gunfire. 

If we hold officer's to a higher standard when they go through the academy and are sworn to serve and protect, than the same standards should be applied when anyone in law enforcement murders their own wife. 

Whatever you do, if you or someone you know is ending a relationship, leave and go someplace safe.  Do not stay once you have filed for a divorce or announced the relationship is over.  And for heaven's sake have a plan of action BEFORE, you say or do anything!

The dangers should be carefully considered when ending a dating relationship or marriage. The reaction to rejection is costing lives. In cases where the victim has died, her fears during the relationship or marriage remain silent, telling family or friends is considered "hearsay" and it's not enough when the person responsible is finally brought to trial. As a precaution, victims are encouraged to prepare the Evidentiary Abuse Affidavit and video, also known as the "EAA." This removes hearsay and in a victim's own words provides historical abuse documentation, gives law enforecment and prosecutors a profile of the offender and shows his pattern of conduct prior to the crime should the victim vanish or be killed.

Document the Abuse.Com 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.

www.documenttheabuse.com

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

Stacy Peterson: Searching Till She is Found

Stacy Ann Peterson vanished on October 28, 2007, from the house in the Illinois suburb of Bolingbrook that she shared with her police-officer husband Drew Peterson, her two children and his two sons, whom she'd adopted.

Within 48 hours, camera crews and journalists besieged the once quiet suburban cul-de-sac. Peterson, then a police sergeant, gave them a show -- a bizarre public display including personal attacks on his wife and her family in the wake of her disappearance. The national media covered Peterson's act like a low-life reality TV show. Each day as Peterson left his house, journalists shoved microphones in his face, hungry for a sound bite for evening crime or news broadcasts. If you were a resident of Illinois during the first three weeks after Stacy vanished, you saw Peterson served up on local, cable and radio programs like a charred chicken flapping its wings almost around the clock.

After several months of being stalked and living under her husband's tight, controlling reins, Stacy Peterson told her husband the marriage was over. In October 2007, Stacy met and consulted with divorce attorney Harry Smith -- ironically, the same lawyerKathleen Savio hired to represent her when she decided to divorce Peterson.

When Stacy failed to show up at her brother's house that late-October day, family members were concerned, especially her sister Cassandra Cales. Just two days earlier, after a cozy family night of movie and pizza, Stacy warned Cassandra that she planned to leave Peterson and said: "If something happens to me, I just want you to know it was Drew." When Cassandra couldn't reach her missing sister, she went to Stacy's house and found the four children home alone, with no sign of Peterson's car. At theBolingbrook Police Department, Cassandra filed a missing-person report.

To me, it seemed Peterson treated Stacy's life as something inconsequential. In his attempts to discredit her during media interviews and up until he was arrested on murder charges for Kathleen Savio, Peterson made comments such as "You know she came from a broken home," or, "Her mother went missing too, so this is not a surprise." Then I heard Peterson say, "Stacy is where she wants to be." My heart sank as I thought of the boys who'd now lost a mother twice.

Seventeen days after Cassandra reported Stacy's disappearance, the Will County State Attorney's Office obtained a court order and exhumed the body of Kathleen Savio. Savio, Peterson's previous wife, was discovered dead in a bathtub in the marital house in 2004. Suddenly, the media and police focus swung from Stacy's disappearance to a new autopsy into the cause of Kathleen's death. The effort to find Stacy lost its momentum. The ground began to freeze, making the search more difficult for family and teams of volunteers. And the media remained hooked on Drew's public displays and his love life, leaving no time to find answers or enlist the public's help in finding Stacy.

In the months that followed, I met with people who knew Stacy personally. From the moment she married Drew, Stacy worked to knit a loving family environment, integrating Drew's then-estranged family into the couple's new life. From all accounts, she had a kind, warm and giving heart. People's eyes sparkled when they spoke of her. She made friends and family feel welcome. When a guest didn't show up for a gathering, Stacy called urged, "Come on," one relative recalled. "We're holding dinner, where are you? We're not starting until you get here."

Another told me: "Stacy was the glue, and that's why her disappearance is so painful to those of us who knew her."

Stacy Peterson's dream was to be a loving wife and mother, an all-around nurturer. She enrolled in nursing classes at a local college. When Stacy could no longer live under Peterson's heavy-handed control and constant watch, she made plans to leave. But like many women in her position, she made a mistake. She told her husband what she planned before she was able to move to a place where she'd be safe from him.

Stacy was silenced in the prime of her life. But there can be no silencing of family and friends who will continue to search for her until she is found. 

 Find out how you can help or offer assistance by going to http://www.ncmissingpersons.org

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 tip-line (910) 232-1687.

All information submitted to CUE Center For Missing Persons is confidential.

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.

The Solution: "Till Death Do Us Part"

Child support was ordered to be paid by a judge in the amount of $1,281 beginning on May 15, 2011. The couple had been married since 2004. During the marriage Vashti Seacat had given birth to a son in 2007 and another in 2009.

Vashti Seacat, 34 had filed for divorce from her Brett Seacat, 35 just 16 days before a sudden fire on April 30^th caused heavy damage to the family home. Her husband at the time was employed as a police instructor at the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center after a number of years with the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Department. In the divorce papers a judge ordered Seacat out of the marital home within 24 hours of being served the papers. But he remained in the home despite the order to vacate.

The boys and their father would escape the blaze without injury. Vashti Seacat was not so lucky. She would not die as the result of the fire, but according to the medical examiner a gunshot wound to the head. And the medical examiner was unable to determine whether the wound was self-inflicted because the entry wound was destroyed in the fire. And Brett Seacat would then easily make claims his soon to be ex-wife was “suicidal.”

Last week in court after two long days of testimony of judge decided there was enough to charge the former law enforcement officer with murder. He is being held on $1million dollars bond and the next court date is schedule for January 6, 2012.

Vashti Seacat feared her husband. She feared for her life. Vashti lost her life because she wanted to end the relationship.

Tragically, this is an all too common case ending in murder. Vashti suffered constant abuse including threats to her life at the hands of her estranged husband. Vashti and her fears are now left to “hearsay” statements repeated by friends and relatives in the aftermath of her murder.

What should have happened but did not, Vashti Secat could have prepared the Evidentiary Abuse Affidavit or the "EAA" as it is called at either the courthouse, therapist's office, or at a remote location to document the abuse have it witnessed by 2 people then notarized before video taping her words. This would remove "hearsay" and any doubt that she feared for her life.

If you are considering ending a relationship, before you say the words out loud "it's over." Before you go to court and file for a protective order from the courts. And before you see an attorney, prepare the Evidentiary Abuse Affidavit. This way your words will count. This way no one can try to claim you killed yourself. This way if you just happen to go missing the evidentiary abuse affidavit will serve as your voice. And the person responsible will be arrested.

Evidentiary Abuse Affidavit For Victims

The Evidentiary Abuse Affidavit

by Susan Murphy Milano

An expert in the area of intimate partner violence and the prevention of homicide, Susan has created specific tools and procedures which the abused need to safely leave a violent relationship.

See example of video affidavit

An “Evidentiary Abuse Affidavit" and video has the additional psychological benefit of being forced to face reality and admit that the potential for the ultimate kind of violence exists…and that if it occurs the perpetrator will be held accountable.

Domestic violence or intimate partner victims now are able to provide information, in their own words, about the fears, dangers, experiences they have had at the hands of their abuser. The" Evidentiary Abuse Affidavit" or "EAA" records victim's stories, histories, and experiences which are preserved and stored on their behalf. These videos will provide answers to the many questions, allegations, and fears that arise when a person has disappeared, gone missing, or been found dead.

Recent cases, such as missing mother Susan Powell of Utah, Renee Pernice of Kansas, Kelly Rothwell of Florida, Jacque Waller of Missouri and women like Stacy Peterson, where the victim’s police officer husband is the person of interest, is the classic example of the benefits of this type of evidence. If Stacy Peterson, or any woman found murdered or is missing, had done an Evidentiary Abuse Affidavit, ON TAPE, from following the information in the “Time’s Up" book ,they would be able to describe:

• threats made against her life or wellbeing, including details of how the perpetrator would carry out the threat
• incidents of past abuse that the victim has endured
• admissions or comments made to her about other victims or people abused
• where evidence or weapons would or could be located
• possible alibis that the perpetrator would make up in his defense (including identification of people who could be co-defendant’s or co-suspects)
• portray visible injuries or marks

Read more here

Purchase Susan Murphy Milano books on escaping domestic violence safely here

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Case concerning the right to confront and prove intent to prevent the witness from testifying

Giles v. California, 554 U.S. 353 (2008)

Facts of the Case

When Dwayne Giles was tried in state court for the murder of his ex- girlfriend, he claimed self-defense. Giles stated that he had heard her vow to hurt him and a friend, and that she had previously shot a man and threatened people with knives. The prosecution then introduced evidence of a conversation between Giles' ex-girlfriend and police in which she claimed that he had assaulted her and threatened to kill her. The district court eventually convicted Giles of murder.

On appeal, Giles argued that use of the police conversation violated his Sixth Amendment right to confront witnesses against him, namely, his deceased ex- girlfriend.

The California Supreme Court held that Giles had waived this right because he was the cause of his ex-girlfriend's absence. Although this exclusion was justified under common law rules of "forfeiture by wrongdoing", the Supreme Court had greatly constrained the admissibility of such evidence in its 2004 holding in Crawford v. Washington. Crawford essentially wiped out the admissibility of such out-of-court statements unless the testimony could be subject to cross-examination at trial, an option that would be impossible under these circumstances. This case gives the Court an opportunity to expand on its decision in Crawford and to apply it to a situation where the wrongdoing that kept the witness from appearing in court was not motivated by a desire to prevent the witness' testimony.

Question
Are a criminal defendant's rights under the Confrontation Clause of the Sixth Amendment violated when the common law "forfeiture by wrongdoing" doctrine is applied to allow out-of-court statements made by a witness, absent due to the defendant's own conduct, into evidence without giving defendant an opportunity to cross-examine the absent witness?

Conclusion
Yes. In a 6-3 decision, the Court held that the forfeiture by wrongdoing exception only applies to situations where the defendant causes the witness' absence with the intention of preventing that witness from testifying at trial. Without this intention, any act by the defendant making the witness unavailable does not waive that defendant's Sixth Amendment right to confront and cross-examine the witness, and therefore any out-of-court statements made by the witness are inadmissible as evidence. Justice Antonin Scalia delivered the opinion of the Court.

Justice Clarence Thomas wrote a concurring opinion stressing his belief that statements such as those made by the witness in this case should not implicate the Confrontation Clause at all because the police questioning was not a "formalized dialogue." Justice Samuel Alito also wrote a concurring opinion suggesting that the witness' statements, in his view, did not fall within the Confrontation Clause but noting that neither party had made this argument before the Court. Justice David Souter, joined by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, concurred in all parts of the majority opinion except one section denouncing the dissenting argument. Justice Souter stated that he did not find the dissent as wrongheaded as the majority suggested.

The dissent, written by Justice Stephen Breyer and joined by Justices John Paul Stevens and Anthony Kennedy, argued that a defendant loses his right to confrontation when he makes a witness unavailable due to his own wrongdoing, even if he did not act with the specific intention of preventing her from testifying at trial. Link- http://courtwatchbrevard.org/drupal/?q=node/176

News Sources on the EAA
http://www2.scnow.com/news/grand-strand/2011/nov/15/cell-phone-app-help-domestic-violence-victims-spea-ar-2692274/ (media Evidentiary Abuse Affidavit)

http://www.wgntv.com/news/coverstory/wgntv-evidentiary-abuse-affidavit-new-tool-gives-abused-women-a-voice-in-courtroom-20111109,0,2614298.story (Media on EAA)

http://www.okcfox.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/kokh_vid_4220.shtml (Media on EAA)

Below is the video example of what someone does as they prepare:

Evidentiary Abuse Affidavit by Susan Murphy Milano from the Book "Time's Up" from Courage Network on Vimeo.

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 on Crime Wire. Online contributions: Forbes : Crime, She Writesproviding 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.

Susan can be reached at murphymilano@gmail.com

"Drum Roll Please" 37 Days Until the Historic Announcement

On October 31st, 2011, return here for a historic announcement in the field of intimate partner violence and stalking. Changing the landscape not one life at a time, but millions.

For more details go to the link below:

http://imaginepublicity.com/2011/09/24/susan-murphy-milano-holly-hughes-and-chet-hosmer-host-panel-at-techno-forensic-conference/

Don't forget to mark your calenders, October 31, 2011, the unveiling 8:00 PM Eastern Time.

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Susan Murphy Milano is a staff member of the Institute for Relational Harm Reduction and Public Pathology Education. She is a specialist with intimate partner violence cases and prevention strategies and high risk cases and available for personal consultations through the Institute. She is also part of the team atManagement Resources Limited of New York.

Susan is the author of "Time's Up: A Guide on How to Leave and Survive Abusive and Stalking Relationships,"Moving out, Moving on, and Defending Out Lives. Susan is the host ofThe 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 on Crime Wire.

The Susan Murphy Milano Show- Live Thursday 2-3 PM with True Crime Author Diane Fanning and Sgt Kim A. SaucierPM Eastern Time

The Susan Murphy Milano Show, “Time’s Up!”

Thursday, July 7, 2-3PM ET

Listen LIVE: on HereWomenTalk

Diane Fanning is one of America’s premier true crime authors. At the top of a genre that often gets a bad rap in the literary world, Fanning brings esteem, doing due diligence when presenting a criminal case in book format. Her bookMOMMY’S LITTLE GIRL is the definitive account on the life and death of 2 year old, Caylee Anthony. Now that the case is coming to the end, we will discuss her opinion of what happened, and why.

Fanning has been writing a daily wrap up on her blog, Writing is a Crime, on the trial of Casey Anthony, the Florida mother charged with the murder of her daughter, Caylee.

Several of Fanning’s books deal with the issue of intimate partner homicide and violence, including the Edgar award nominated, WRITTEN IN BLOOD, about the death of Kathleen Peterson and the subsequent conviction of her husband, Michael Peterson. Another book, “Gone Forever,” written about the death of a mother of three, leaving her marriage and winding up a murder victim, was praised highly by many who work with domestic violence victims and the aftermath of trauma in the home, recommending the book to victims of violence with whom they come in contact.

Diane Fanning is also the author of the crime mystery series that follows the work of Lt. Lucinda Pierce. The fourth book in the series,TWISTED REASON, has recently been release in paperback.

For more information about Diane Fanning, her full list of true crime and mystery series of books, please visit her website www.dianefanning.com

Watch for news about Diane Fanning’s participation in an episode of A&E Biography in early 2012.

Follow Lucinda Pierce news on Facebook

Follow Diane Fanning on Twitter and Facebook

Sergeant Kim A. Saucier a 28 year law enforcement veteran joins us to discuss crimes and its impact on our communities.

http://www.rocklandcountysheriffoffice.com/police_units.html

• www.imaginepublicity.com Please Pass It On!

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

The Susan Murphy Milano Show

"Time's Up!"


Thursday, April 7

2pm-3pm:

Stacy Dittrich
Author and Law Enforcement Media Consultant

Stacy Dittrich is an award-winning 17-year law enforcement officer, author, media consultant, and former detective specializing in sex crimes. With past training by a former FBI Behavioral Specialist, Stacy is certified through the National Institute of Truth Verification as an examiner (CVSA- lie detector). Stacy has also been assigned to a federal drug task force and has been involved in the investigations of numerous homicides. In 2002, she received the Victim’s of Crime Award from former Ohio Attorney General, Jim Petro and is a certified law enforcement instructor. She has instructed on topics ranging from sexual assaults to “stranger dangers.” Stacy retired early in 2008 to focus solely on her writing and media commitments. However, she is still a sworn special deputy with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department in Mansfield, Ohio and is assigned to running the voice stress analysis tests for new hires and criminal suspects.

Stacy is the author of the CeeCee Gallagher thriller series about a female detective which begins with "The Devil's Closet." (Leisure) She is also the author of the true crime thriller "Murder Behind the Badge: True Stories of Cops Who Kill" (Prometheus), and is currently writing the true crime story of murdered 8-year old, Sandra Cantu (Sterling). Stacy’s memoir about her life as a female police officer, Stumbling Along the Beat, debuted in Spring 2010.

www.stacydittrich.com

3pm-4pm
Missing Person, Donna Jou



We will continue our examination of the case of missing Donna Jou.

The man who "confessed" to her murder will be set free in California on April 15. Many questions linger and there truly has not been justice served, nor has anyone seen Donna Jou since June 23, 2007.

http://donnajou.com

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.

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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 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 Talkhttp://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 father who murdered her mother before committing suicide.