Wednesday, August 24, 2011

The Justice System Silences Intimate Partner Homicide Victim Angel Downs

Today in Baldwin County, Alabama, newly elected prosecutor whom could benefit from attending a few of my continuing education training's on intimate partner violence, pattern of conduct and victimology, silenced any hope of justice for Angel Downs.

On May 9, 2010, 45 yr. old realtor, Angel Downs, was found shot in the head in her front yard in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Neighbors heard shots fired and saw former (very married at that time) boyfriend and elected Mobile County Commissioner, Steve Nodine, leaving the scene in his county provided red pickup truck.

In December of 2010, Nodine stood trial for her murder, but the jury returned in a deadlock. The former prosecutor remained on board trying this case after the election. It would have been a smart move given her expertise and knowledge of the case to remain involved.

The grand jury returned indictments earlier today: Count One says "did with criminal negligence cause the death of another person, Angel Downs" - This only carries a maximum sentence of not more than 1 year in the county jail and a maximum fine of up to $6,000.
Count Two: and did falsely swear and provide false financial information. This carries a term of 1-10 years in prison and up to a $15,000 fine.

I am confused. If a grand jury returned indictments last year where Nodine was indicted on murder and stalking charges and ethics violation, what changed? A jury was deadlocked in their decision so why not retry or perhaps present the same evidence? There is a concept. But that did not happen. The new prosecutor decided to convene a "special grand jury."

Bottom line is that the original murder indictment, a felony, is now a misdemeanor. This is Alabama politics from the rear of truck on a dirt road. That is preciously how, from day one, this entire murder case of Angel Downs has been handled.

The family of Angel Downs released a statement today:

Our family is absolutely devastated by the new charges, which we learned about via the news media, not through the DA’s office. Unless the DA’s office has evidence that they shared with the Grand Jury, but have failed to share with our family, we cannot fathom how the Grand Jury arrived at their conclusion. Unfortunately, we will never know what was presented to the Grand Jury, as it is secret. Hallie stated in our last meeting that she could sway the grand jury any way she wanted, but wouldn’t. As you can imagine, that statement in itself raised major red flags to our family. We notified our attorney that we wanted to go to the Attorney General, unfortunately, a Grand Jury was convened within 3 days of our meeting with the DA’s office and we did not have the opportunity. Additionally, we informed Hallie that we had many concerns regarding discrepancies with her experts reports, and her response was, “Nothing can be gained by disputing expert opinions with you at this time.” Well when is the time to dispute their opinions, after the reports have been presented to a grand jury and an indictment has been handed down? There are so many unanswered questions that we will never know.

What we do know is that it is a very sad day for our family, but more importantly, it is a very sad day for Justice for Angel.

Based on the evidence we have seen, our family stands firm in our belief that Stephen Nodine is 100% responsible for Angel’s death. We put our faith in the justice system, and that system has failed us. All involved will ultimately have to answer to a much higher power in the end – only then will Justice Be Served!

Good luck to the citizens of Baldwin County and any family who seeks Justice for their loved ones. Angel we love you and miss you, but have comfort knowing you are in a much better place where you can no longer be tormented.

Sincerely,

Angel Downs Family


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 prevention strategies and high risk cases and available for personal consultations through the Institute. She is also part of the team at Management 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 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.


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

8 comments:

nthwdds said...

unreal.

Donna R. Gore said...

The actions of the those in charge of this case are absolutely disgraceful! This family has been stripped of any chance at justice and treated with total disrespect.
How is a cold blooded murder reduced to a misdemeanor? 'So glad I don't live in Alabama and I fear for those who do... We all must fight against this happening in the future.
Donna R. Gore, M.A.
Homicide Survivor
"Ladyjustice"

Anonymous said...

Susan you are correct in your statement about dirty politics. However the political dirt was from former DA Judy Newcomb in her desperate bid for re-election. Current DA is also correct in stating she could "sway the jury any way she wanted" Judy did that to formulate a charge that was bogus giving the Downs family false hope that their daughter was murdered and didnt take her own life. I am amazed at how this all transpired and the ill regard for the truth. Judy knew the vulnerability of the Downs family and the venom of the media and played it perfectly. She almost succeeded but there thankfully was a higher power involved. Steve Nodine is paying for his sins in prison but God is not punishing him for a crime he did not commit. It is the media doing that. I truly believe the Down's family believes Steve Nodine is responsible for Angels's death but know in their heart he did not kill her. they feel she would be alive today if she were not involved with him. That I cannot say but this is where free will comes in. Angel was sick and her demons overwhelmed her. We all want someone to blame when things like this happen. As saturated as the market is down here with the media coverage a grand jury could not indict on murder and stalking once all the evidence was shown. The first key evidence if you remember was the "blood" on the truck which led to the initial indictment. Tests confirmed it was not blood nor was there any blood on the clothing worn by steve nodine and the time line in which he left the condo and drove to the convenience store and was captured on camera was confirmed by the initial investigators. Use common sense here. You just shot someone so you go and buy a softdrink? There is so much wrong with this case and the handling of it that allowed this charge to muster. Why wasnt residue tests performed? On his hands and hers! this would have stopped the case right there. Unfortunately the outcome is still the same. A beautiful young women is dead and her family is left behind to try and make sense of all of this. Several things have amazed me about this case not just the corruptness of the DA office but all the investigators who conformed to the DA's sordid plan. Plus all of the people who immediately charged guilt without knowing any facts whatsoever. How can we be so quick to jude without knowing any facts? I am sure this blog will cause people to throw daggers but maybe some will stop and think rationally for just a moment as there clearly are no winners here.

Anonymous said...

Puke, puke and more puke it's the lady killer Steve Nodine lover.

It's crazy how they try to convince people of Nodine's innocence.

Lies, Lies, Lies!

Why would Nodine run away and let the one he loved (to death) to die in the street?

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...Susan you are correct

So let me get this right….

A giant conspiracy by everyone in Mobile and Baldwin County against poor Steve Nodine. Standing alone as the bastion of good behavior.

Perhaps if residue tests had been performed it could have proved his guilt.

I am sure there are corrupt politicians in Mobile and Baldwin County. I do not know who they are but I do know who the leader is, "Steve Nodine".

He has set a bad example as a politician, a husband, a father, and a man.

You can be assured that if the politicians in Baldwin county, i.e.. DA Hallie Dixon did not have the guts to prosecute and see that SN is deservedly punished, God certainly will, in HIS time.

My only hope for Steve is that he is enjoying his new boyfriend he has met in Miami. Maybe Irene will give him a congical visit.

Anonymous said...

Please help the family by going to page and
click on like

Anonymous said...

It is highly apparent now what Hallie has been up to all along and how sadly accurate past DA Judy Newcomb was about her successor.

DA Hallie Dixon has strung Angel's family along, not talking to them about what was going on, keeping them out of the loop. She has treated them very badly.

This is about new DA Dixon's rivalry with past DA Judy Newcomb.

Anonymous said...

State Wants Nodine's Cell Phone Records

*Note - Allegedly someone played a golf tournament with Nodine (prior to Angel's shooting death) and in Nodine's golf cart were numerous cell phones. I hope they get ALL of his different cell phones and ALL their records. I am surprised they haven't gotten these by now.

Nodine's Attorneys in Miami to Discuss Case

Both of these have related videos.

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