TX - Crystal Seratte McDowell, 38, Baytown, 25 Aug 2017 #4

[Bird of Paradise]

Steven McDowell, 44, looked tearful in court on Wednesday after police say he admitted strangling his 37-year old ex-wife, Crystal Seratte to death just before Hurricane Harvey hit

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...-kids-nearby-tearful-court.html#ixzz4sczGbany

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Am I the only one who doesn't see the "tearful" look that all the media outlets reported?[/QUOTE]

BBM-

Snipped pictures for space...

People see what they want to see.

Honestly? I think it's disingenious to make a comment based on two photos. smdh.

 

[Gooddeeds]

Why not in the 344th District Court in CC? He must be listed somewhere. Mimi, or anyone else, can you help with this matter?

BAYTOWN SUN:
Wearing an orange jumpsuit, handcuffed and surrounded by law enforcement, a sad-looking Steven McDowell, 44, was escorted into the auxiliary 253rd Court, headed by Judge Chap Cain, in Anahuac Tuesday.

McDowell was appearing for a probable cause hearing to see if he could pay for an attorney. He was not able to and the court appointed him an attorney, Keaton Kirkwood, a lawyer in Liberty.

“Jurisdiction based upon the children WHETHER IT IS CHAMBERS OR HARRIS COUNTY,” Hawthorne said.

Hawthorne said he believes Chambers County should have the case since the children, ages 5 and 8, are enrolled in Barbers Hill ISD. He added the Department of Family Protective Services placed the children in the care of one of Crystal McDowell’s relatives.

“(The DFPS) think they want to do it out of Harris County and that bothers me since it might get bogged down in their courts,” Hawthorne said. “If we put it in Chambers, we can get those kids stabilized.”

-Interesting that Harris County is an option. I think that is good because they are a County far more prepared.
IMO

 

[SuperTmo]

Sorry but that's hilarious (not the sentiment of course) talk to text is the bane of my existence!!!

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

Ugh. Dumb talk to text! I used it while hurrying into a meeting and didn't bother to check to make sure it said what I wanted! Lol lesson learned!

 

[dizzychick]

Great post!
People wishing the death penalty on SM should think of his kids. They still love him and deserve to have a relationship with him for as long as they want. He's not a cold blooded evil killer to them -- he's dad.

IMO

during the Jodi Arias trial I remember seeing a case where the boyfriend or hubby killed his wife then hid the body, he only got 15 years and I never understood why he got off so light and they pursued Jodi for the death penalty, anyone else remember the case im referring to? I don't recall his name or the victim it was just the sentence that shocked me. His case was finished by the time they charged Jodi

 

[Gooddeeds]

Any further info on Crystals parents? I vaguely recall seeing a post on their dated deaths?

My thoughts are taking me to Crystal being rejoined to her parents. While her children have lost their earthly union of a great beloved parent.

 

[Gooddeeds]

BAYTOWN SUN:
Wearing an orange jumpsuit, handcuffed and surrounded by law enforcement, a sad-looking Steven McDowell, 44, was escorted into the auxiliary 253rd Court, headed by Judge Chap Cain, in Anahuac Tuesday.

McDowell was appearing for a probable cause hearing to see if he could pay for an attorney. He was not able to and the court appointed him an attorney, Keaton Kirkwood, a lawyer in Liberty.

“Jurisdiction based upon the children WHETHER IT IS CHAMBERS OR HARRIS COUNTY,” Hawthorne said.

Hawthorne said he believes Chambers County should have the case since the children, ages 5 and 8, are enrolled in Barbers Hill ISD. He added the Department of Family Protective Services placed the children in the care of one of Crystal McDowell’s relatives.

“(The DFPS) think they want to do it out of Harris County and that bothers me since it might get bogged down in their courts,” Hawthorne said. “If we put it in Chambers, we can get those kids stabilized.”

-Interesting that Harris County is an option. I think that is good because they are a County far more prepared.
IMO

-Im curious about what the law says regarding the County options for this case?

 

[dizzychick]

Strangling her from behind makes me think that they were not arguing at all when he killed her. It makes me think he let her come in the house and feel comfortable for a little bit, then came up behind her and strangled her without warning. If they had been arguing, I don't think she would have turned her back to him. She was afraid of him. Most people when they argue and are afraid of someone they back away and keep an eye on the person while arguing. I think there was no argument and no major struggle. I think he knew where the kids were and that they wouldn't see or hear anything. JMO.

I agree fully and just like Scott Peterson selecting a date like the 24th of December with the forethought the cops would be busy and or on holiday for Christmas which would muck up the investigation. I believe this killer chose the day before a major hurricane for a sinister reason. Pre meditated and not a crime of passion. I expect this killer will use the crime of passion defense though.

 

[EmmieA]

I agree fully and just like Scott Peterson selecting a date like the 24th of December with the forethought the cops would be busy and or on holiday for Christmas which would muck up the investigation. I believe this killer chose the day before a major hurricane for a sinister reason. Pre meditated and not a crime of passion. I expect this killer will use the crime of passion defense though.

I'm not entirely sold on the hurricane having any play in this. Weather patterns can change quite suddenly so it wasn't a given that his neighborhood would get as much flooding as they did. I have no doubt about his rage but it just seems more a crime of passion to me. I think premeditated he would have gotten the kids out of the house. JMO.

 

[Teche]

Thanks button isn't enough. Gitana, I agree with your thought process.

Thank you so much. I thought we were allowed to link to the social media of the victim and the perp. I need to review!!

But I was able to view a bunch now. And I think I understand why so many people seem to be willing to give this guy a pass. It's hard to see videos of a dad with his kids, having fun and being sweet, and to see that he's proudly posting videos and photos of his kids, and then see him as evil or bad or less than human.

But thats what most bad people are like. Heck, Hitler was warm and sweet with children. Countless murderers we see in these cases were well-liked, friendly, popular.

And most things and most people arent that black and white. Everything is always complex.

But what's simple to me is that a normal, decent, honest, good person and loving parent doesn't "lose control" and strangle their ex to death over a period of several, agonizing minutes. A normal, decent, honest good person and parent doesn't cover it up for days and post posts about their missing ex, all the while knowing where her corpse is rotting.

This man is a bad human being. He chose this. He destroyed a beautiful woman and his beautiful kids out of jealousy and possessiveness.

I reserve my sympathy for the real victims. And he's not it.

 

[Gardener1850]

BBM-

Snipped pictures for space...

People see what they want to see.

Honestly? I think it's disingenious to make a comment based on two photos. smdh.

I have seen video of him in court as well. It was an honest question so see if I was missing something. To me it looks like he is even smiling a little bit. It is more obvious in the video because his dimples only come out when he tightens his mouth. There is no reason to shake your head. I don't get why so many people (including news orgs) are so sympathetic of a man who admits to murdering his wife and hiding her body.

 

[Gardener1850]

Thank you so much. I thought we were allowed to link to the social media of the victim and the perp. I need to review!!

But I was able to view a bunch now. And I think I understand why so many people seem to be willing to give this guy a pass. It's hard to see videos of a dad with his kids, having fun and being sweet, and to see that he's proudly posting videos and photos of his kids, and then see him as evil or bad or less than human.

But thats what most bad people are like. Heck, Hitler was warm and sweet with children. Countless murderers we see in these cases were well-liked, friendly, popular.

And most things and most people arent that black and white. Everything is always complex.

But what's simple to me is that a normal, decent, honest, good person and loving parent doesn't "lose control" and strangle their ex to death over a period of several, agonizing minutes. A normal, decent, honest good person and parent doesn't cover it up for days and post posts about their missing ex, all the while knowing where her corpse is rotting.

This man is a bad human being. He chose this. He destroyed a beautiful woman and his beautiful kids out of jealousy and possessiveness.

I reserve my sympathy for the real victims. And he's not it.

I'm so glad you're here Gitana! This is very well-stated. :loveyou:

 

[dizzychick]

I'm not entirely sold on the hurricane having any play in this. Weather patterns can change quite suddenly so it wasn't a given that his neighborhood would get as much flooding as they did. I have no doubt about his rage but it just seems more a crime of passion to me. I think premeditated he would have gotten the kids out of the house. JMO.

there were so many warnings about the approaching hurricane and if he lived in the area long enough he would know what areas had a tendancy to floodplus the seedy motel, that was aplan to make her look like a S--- and lead the cops into a false theory she was missing from that motel all while her body soaked in flood water that would remove all traces of what he had done to her. I strongly suspect he raped her too, that one last assault he inflicted on her. I get so angry just t
hinking about this. grrrr...

 

[Gardener1850]

Great discussion going on - so you all probably missed my question....

Anyone know "when" his next court date is??

TIA! :wave:

Hi Niner, this may be why people are having trouble finding anything:

After an intensive search, Crystal McDowell’s body was found Saturday in a wooded area in western Chambers County. Steven McDowell confessed, was arrested and charged with murder, a first-degree felony.

Chambers County Sheriff Brian Hawthorne said they are trying to determine jurisdiction for the case.

“Jurisdiction based upon the children whether it is Chambers or Harris County,” Hawthorne said.

Hawthorne said he believes Chambers County should have the case since the children, ages 5 and 8, are enrolled in Barbers Hill ISD. He added the Department of Family Protective Services placed the children in the care of one of Crystal McDowell’s relatives.

“(The DFPS) think they want to do it out of Harris County and that bothers me since it might get bogged down in their courts,” Hawthorne said. “If we put it in Chambers, we can get those kids stabilized.”

Hawthorne said now Chambers County District Attorney Cheryl Lieck and her team will take the case prepared for them by law enforcement.

“She will work with the court system to a set a trial date,” Hawthorne said. “But he will have an opportunity to come before the court and get on the docket call and make a plea.”

http://baytownsun.com/news/article_66828d80-9823-11e7-8058-07778dcd1167.html

Seems, as of yesterday at least, they have not settled jurisdiction nor set the next date. Thanks for keeping track of all these cases!

 

[dizzychick]

Hi Niner, this may be why people are having trouble finding anything:



http://baytownsun.com/news/article_66828d80-9823-11e7-8058-07778dcd1167.html

Seems, as of yesterday at least, they have not settled jurisdiction nor set the next date. Thanks for keeping track of all these cases!

surely they would not let him make bond even if he had 50K right? I just cant see that as being a good idea for anyone especially the BF

 

[cluciano63]

I think SM had his own personal hurricane going on, as he found out more and more about Crystal's new life. The cruise, the new love, new happiness, etc...I am not seeing the weather as a factor really for what happened as far as the timing. Paul said that SM had found out about him very recently and that Crystal was not happy about it. That alone could have started the fatal argument or inflamed his rage. Jmo

 

[cluciano63]

surely they would not let him make bond even if he had 50K right? I just cant see that as being a good idea for anyone especially the BF

I think bond is about whether he is a flight risk, or likely to be a danger to himself or others. Suicide would be the major concern if he made bail, Imo. I don't think he can be denied bail if a judge sets it without another hearing.

 

[prallypie]

Idk how he could afford even 50k bail but qualifies for a public defender. Defies my logic anyway.

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[dizzychick]

I think bond is about whether he is a flight risk, or likely to be a danger to himself or others. Suicide would be the major concern if he made bail, Imo. I don't think he can be denied bail if a judge sets it without another hearing.

well if I was the BF I would either have 6 big beefy bodyguards or hi tail it out of there till the trial is over, no way would I be anywhere near that man if I had been her lover

 

[mrsNKY]

I think bond is about whether he is a flight risk, or likely to be a danger to himself or others. Suicide would be the major concern if he made bail, Imo. I don't think he can be denied bail if a judge sets it without another hearing.

Agreed. I have seen murder bonds many times. Every crime will have a bond eventually. However; the courts can impose different conditions to posting bail. IE: surrender passport. Surrender weapons, (obviously) house arrest, freeze bank accounts etc. There are millions. Remember the woman not long ago from California who posted 10m after charged with murder? I'm thinking boyfriend??? Can't remember exactly, but from my experience in the court system it is not unusual to have murderers post bond.

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[Gardener1850]

Idk how he could afford even 50k bail but qualifies for a public defender. Defies my logic anyway.

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He hasn't bonded out yet so he may not be able to afford $50k.