Venus Rose Stewart 32, msg 5/3/10 - Colon Township, MI (Hubby Convicted)

[MuffyBee]

http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2010/12/grandparents_try_and_keep_upbe.html
Venus Stewart's young daughters miss their mother, try for normal Christmas
December 24, 2010

COLON — Six-year-old Brooke remembers that the special star crowning her grandparents’ Christmas tree once belonged to her mother.

Rachel, who recently turned 4, has less vivid memories of the Christmas 2009 she celebrated with her sister and parents.

This year, the girls will bake cookies and tear through wrapping paper on Christmas morning without their parents.

Their mother, Venus Stewart, has been missing and presumed dead since she vanished outside her parents’ home in rural Colon on April 26. Their father, Doug Stewart, will spend Christmas in a St. Joseph County Jail cell, charged with murdering his wife, the girls’ mother, an allegation he denies.

Despite searches by law enforcement, civilian volunteers and even a psychic, no trace of the 32-year-old missing mother has turned up.

For Therese and Larry McComb, Christmas culminates eight months of holidays they say they’ve struggled through without Venus, attempting to maintain a semblance of normalcy and upbeat cheer for the granddaughters they’re now raising.

Larry McComb says his wife still cries daily when something sparks a vivid memory of Venus, who he describes as Therese’s daughter, “and her best friend.”

“All we can do is try to keep an upbeat spirit for the girls and that’s hard to do,” McComb said. “The holidays hit hard. We really don’t have a special tradition. They’ll bake Christmas cookies and we decorated the tree. We’re just trying to have the girls have a regular, stable life.”

Adorning the tree did rekindle memories of happier times for Therese and granddaughter Brooke.

“Every year Venus would get a special ornament for the tree that meant something to her,” McComb said. “The star that went up on the top of the tree had belonged to Venus.”
Legal maneuvering through a series of defense motions to disqualify the presiding judge and challenge alleged hearsay testimony from a host of prosecution witnesses has pushed Doug Stewart’s trial into next year.
McComb said the girls have not seen their father or Stewart’s family members since Venus disappeared from the front yard of the McComb’s home in April. Brooke and Rachel have not requested a meeting and Doug Stewart’s family has made no overture, he said.

Stewart’s daughters know their father has been charged with murdering their mother, McComb said.

“No matter what they do to Doug, it’s not going to fix it for these girls,” McComb said.

Still, ties remain.

“Brooke knows. She still loves her Dad,” McComb said.

But the girls long for their mother.

“Brookie is affected the most,” McComb said. “It’s just lately that she will give my wife a kiss. Kisses were for her Mom.

“They know their mom is up with the angels. But they don’t understand why she can’t come back.”

 

[MuffyBee]

http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2011/01/arguments_to_be_heard_in_venus.html
Judge to decide whether testimony will be allowed at Venus Stewart murder trial
January 12, 2011

CENTREVILLE — A St. Joseph County Circuit judge will hear arguments this week on whether certain testimony will be allowed during an upcoming murder trial.

Seven potential witnesses expected to testify that Venus Stewart allegedly told them she feared her husband would kill her could take the stand Thursday at a hearing to determine whether their testimony may be introduced in the upcoming murder trial of Douglas Stewart, the missing woman’s husband.

Stewart is charged with murdering his 32-year-old wife, who has been missing since she vanished outside her parents’ rural-Colon home on April 26. Investigators say they believe that she is dead.

Prosecutors say that Douglas Stewart came to Michigan to abduct and murder his wife, lining up another man to impersonate him and give him an alibi in Newport News, Va., at the time of the crime.

St. Joseph County Prosecutor John McDonough said that Circuit Judge Paul Stutesman will hear arguments from the prosecution and defense on Thursday to determine whether certain testimony can be admitted at trial.
Venus Stewart mugCourtesy PhotoVenus Stewart

Douglas Stewart’s defense attorneys argue the testimony is hearsay because it comes second-hand, through people recollecting what they say they were told by Venus Stewart before she disappeared.

Prosecutors will argue the testimony is the way Venus Stewart’s words can be admitted since she is presumed dead and is unable to provide her first-person account.

Meanwhile, Michigan State Police Detective Michael Scott, the lead investigator in the case, said investigators have no new leads in their quest to locate Venus Stewart’s body.

[MuffyBee]

http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2011/01/judge_closes_pre-trial_hearing.html
Judge closes pre-trial hearing in Venus Stewart murder case
January 13, 2011

Today's court hearing to determine the admissibility of alleged hearsay evidence in the Venus Stewart murder trial is closed to the public.
 
St. Joseph County Circuit Judge Paul Stutesman issued the order from the bench this morning after prosecutors and defense attorneys for defendant Douglas Stewart met in Stutesman's chambers before what was expected to be a day-long questioning of at least seven potential witnesses.
 
At issue is whether statements reportedly made to others by missing-and-presumed-dead Venus Stewart, alleging her fear that her husband Douglas would kill her, can be admitted in Douglas Stewart's upcoming murder trial.
 
Stutesman said he was ordering the testimony to be given behind closed doors "in the interest of justice," saying making public now statements that may or may not be allowed at trial could "interfere with the administration of justice."
 
The defense is arguing that the testimony about what Venus Stewart allegedly said to other people amounts to hearsay.

Prosecutors are expected to say that the testimony should be admitted under an exception because the speaker is dead.
 
A copy of Stutesman's written order was not immediately available and it was unclear this morning whether the hearing behind closed doors was requested by the prosecution or the defense.
 
At the conclusion of the testimony in chambers, Stutesman is expected to rule later today on a defense motion regarding bond for the defendant and possibly set a trial date.
 
Venus Stewart disappeared from outside her parents' Colon home in April where she had been living briefly after leaving the Stewarts' Virginia home with the couple's two daughters.
 
Douglas Stewart has denied any role in his wife's disappearance, saying he was in Virginia at the time of her abduction and presumed murder. However, police investigators have turned up evidence that Douglas Stewart was in Michigan at the time and located a Delaware man who admitted to authorities that he impersonated Stewart in Virginia when the incident occurred.
 
Numerous searches by law enforcement, citizen groups and even a psychic have failed to turn up any trace of the missing woman.
 
Meanwhile, the couple's two daughters remain with Venus Stewart's parents who were both called to testify at Thursday's closed-door court preceding.

[MuffyBee]

http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2011/01/judge_paul_stutesman_sets_feb.html
Judge Paul Stutesman sets Feb. 18 start date for murder trial in Venus Stewart case during closed pre-trial proceedings
January 14, 2011

CENTREVILLE — St. Joseph County Circuit Judge Paul Stutesman has set a Feb. 18 start date for the murder trial of Douglas Stewart, charged with abducting and killing his estranged wife, Venus Stewart.

But attorneys for both sides won't know until Jan. 28 whether the judge will allow testimony from at least seven potential witnesses the prosecution wants to question about statements Venus Stewart allegedly made to friends and relatives about fearing her estranged husband.

In other action Thursday, Judge Stutesman denied a defense motion that requested Stewart be released on a personal recognizance bond because it has been more than 180 days since he was arrested in the case. Stewart is now in the St. Joseph County Jail on a $4 million bond.

A cadre of Venus Stewart's friends and relatives populated the gallery of the circuit courtroom early Thursday, wearing shades of purple, armbands that said "Where's Venus?" and pins featuring purple ribbons with her name.

Meanwhile, the witnesses, including Venus Stewart's mother, stepfather and grandfather, were sequestered in another part of the courthouse, waiting their turn to appear at the closed hearing.

Therese McComb, Venus Stewart's mother, left the hearing room after her testimony, wiping away tears and telling friends she had been able to "look Doug in the eye."

The defendant, shackled and dressed in jail garb, was present for the closed-door testimony.

Meanwhile, defense attorneys Jeffrey and Kimberly Schroder, of Portage, argued unsuccessfully for Stewart's release prior to trial Thursday. They said court rules allow for a personal recognizance bond in felony cases where the accused has been incarcerated for more than 180 days.

But prosecutors countered, saying the 205 days Stewart has been in jail is largely the result of appeals and pretrial motions by the defense that pushed back the trial that was originally scheduled to begin Nov. 1.

Stutesman took the unusual step of excluding the public and press while he heard testimony Thursday from at least seven potential witnesses challenged by the defense on grounds that the testimony would be hearsay. Stutesman said opening the testimony, which may or may not be admitted at trial, to the public now could taint the criminal preceding.

Attorneys on both sides have a week to submit briefs on the admissibility of statements Venus Stewart allegedly made about her relationship with her husband to those witnesses before she disappeared. Stutesman is expected to rule Jan. 28 on whether that testimony can be admitted at trial.

Venus Stewart disappeared without a trace from outside her parents' Colon home in April where she had been living briefly after leaving the Stewarts' Virginia home with the couple's two daughters.

Douglas Stewart has denied any role in his wife's disappearance, saying he was in Virginia at the time of her abduction and presumed murder. However, police investigators say they have evidence that Douglas Stewart was in Michigan at the time.

Numerous searches by law enforcement, citizen groups and even a psychic have failed to turn up Venus Stewart’s body.

Venus Stewart's parents have custody of the couple's two young daughters.

Meanwhile, court records examined Thursday showed Stutesman's staff returned a Dec. 27 letter that Douglas Stewart wrote to the judge, calling the communication, "improper."

"This letter has been forwarded to your attorney and the prosecutor to advise them of your attempt to contact Judge Stutesman concerning your case," Anita Buscher, judicial secretary, said in a letter sent to Stewart at the St. Joseph County Jail.

The court file contained neither a copy of Stewart's letter to the judge nor information on what it said.

[MuffyBee]

http://www.sturgisjournal.com/news/police_and_fire/x1334353983/Stewart-trial-set-for-Feb-18
Stewart trial set for Feb. 18
January 14, 2011

Centreville, Mich. —

The murder trial of Douglas Stewart is scheduled to begin Feb. 18.
Stewart, 29, is charged with murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree premeditated murder.
He is the estranged husband of Venus Stewart, who disappeared from the Colon Township home of her parents April 26, 2010. She is presumed dead, and her body has not been found.
St. Joseph County Circuit Court Judge Paul Stutesman announced the trial date Thursday afternoon following a motion hearing in his chambers that took most of the day.
 Stewart, wearing leg chains, handcuffs and green, striped prison clothes, was in the courtroom with his attorneys.
Prosecutor John McDonough, assistant Erin Hahn and State Police Det. Mike Scott were also present. 
Defense attorney Jeffrey Schroder had requested  that Stewart be released on a personal recognizance bond because he had spent 205 days in jail. Most cases are supposed to go to trial within 180 days.
Schroder said his client was willing to wear a leg monitor to assure his whereabouts.
Stutesman denied the request. He said a lot of time was spent on appeals in recent months, including an interlocutory appeal filed by the Schroders.
The interlocutory appeal was  filed by the Jeffrey and Kimberly  Schroder to have Stutesman removed as presiding judge. It was later denied  by the state Court of Appeals.
Had that motion not been filed, the trial would have started Oct. 29.
“I don’t see where we’re up to  the 180 days,” Stutesman said.
“Those periods of delay by your attorneys are not included in your time served,” Stutesman told Stewart. “You still have enough time left before the trial begins.”
The motion hearing in Stutesman’s chambers was off-limits to the media.
At the hearing, Stutesman reportedly listened to testimony of seven or eight witnesses, including Venus Stewart’s parents, to determine potential hearsay. He also responded to questions about evidence and set the trial date.
Stutesman said the next motion hearing will be held  at 4 p.m. Jan. 28 in his courtroom. He expects to announce his decisions on hearsay evidence that day.
Jury selection is scheduled to begin Feb. 18. Once a jury is seated, the trial is expected to last two to three weeks.
Relatives and friends of Venus , including her great-grandparents, sat in the courtroom Thursday morning. One woman from Homer, known as Venus’ Aunt Mary, brought a small, plastic bag of buttons inscribed with the name Venus on a purple ribbon to share with friends.
Venus Stewart leaves behind two children, ages 6 and 4, who remain in the custody of Venus’ parents.
 

[MuffyBee]

http://www.wndu.com/localnews/headlines/Judge_close_to_setting_trial_date_for_Venus_Stewart_case_113820499.html
Judge close to setting trial date for Venus Stewart case
Colon, Mich.
A judge is close to setting a trial date for the Michigan man accused of kidnapping and killing his estranged wife last spring.
January 15, 2011

A judge is close to setting a trial date for the Michigan man accused of kidnapping and killing his estranged wife last spring.

According to WTVB radio, a judge heard testimony this week in the death of Venus Stewart, 32.

Stewart was last seen in April leaving her parents' Colon home. Her husband Doug Stewart, 29, was later charged with her abduction and murder.

Stewart's trial has been delayed as the defense sought a new judge and bond. Now a judge has to determine whether or not to hear testimony from witnesses.

The trial should start February 18 and the judge will make a decision on the 28th of this month, whether to allow witness testimony.

The judge continued to deny bond to Stewart.

After nearly ten months, Venus's body has still not been found.

[Nut44x4]

Although Venus Stewart's body has not been found, Doug Stewart's trial is underway for the murder of Venus Stewart and is being streamed live at this link: http://www.woodtv.com/subindex/video/live_video

http://www.helpfindthemissing.org/forum/showthread.php?t=21496&page=12

NG Transcript
• Rural Michigan Mother Missing
March 04, 2011

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1103/04/ng.02.html

[MuffyBee]

Thanks for the update Nut.  I had hoped Venus's remains would be found prior to trial, but it looks like that was not to be. Having a body or remains can make a case stronger, but I think there may be enough other evidence to at least keep Douglas Stewart and those that helped him behind bars for a while. And there's always hope Venus's remains can still be found.   I'm hoping for justice for Venus and her little children and her parents. 

[Sister]

Thanks for the update Nut.  I had hoped Venus's remains would be found prior to trial, but it looks like that was not to be. Having a body or remains can make a case stronger, but I think there may be enough other evidence to at least keep Douglas Stewart and those that helped him behind bars for a while. And there's always hope Venus's remains can still be found.   I'm hoping for justice for Venus and her little children and her parents. 

Absolutely Muffy!

[Nut44x4]

Doug Stewart guilty of murdering Venus Stewart    
Published: Friday, March 11, 2011

The jury in the Doug Stewart trial weighed the evidence they were given in the case for about four hours before its foreman stood and delivered the verdict Friday.

Sentencing is scheduled for April 18.

Doug Stewart faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole.

snip
http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2011/03/doug_stewart_of_murdering_venu.html

Now.........where is she Doug!!??? 

[melisb]

Whoopieeee!  Justice was swift for this family.  I just wish they could bring her home so her children have a place to go to remember their Mommy.  So sad.

[Sister]

Whoopieeee!  Justice was swift for this family.  I just wish they could bring her home so her children have a place to go to remember their Mommy.  So sad.

Amen melisb Amen!

[Nut44x4]

Updated: 6:36 AM Apr 18, 2011

Southwest Michigan man faces sentencing for murder

Family members hope a convicted killer in southwest Michigan will finally break his silence.

A jury found 29-year-old Douglas Stewart guilty of pre-mediated murder and conspiracy to commit murder last month for the presumed death of his estranged wife. Monday, he'll be sentenced for the charges.

 ::snipping2::
http://www.wndu.com/hometop/headlines/Douglas_Stewart_faces_sentencing_for_murder_120049584.html

IMO he will never tell/admit. I'll also take a guess he'll get a sentence of MAX 25 yrs. Probably 15-20...serve about 8.

[Sister]

Updated: 6:36 AM Apr 18, 2011

Southwest Michigan man faces sentencing for murder

Family members hope a convicted killer in southwest Michigan will finally break his silence.

A jury found 29-year-old Douglas Stewart guilty of pre-mediated murder and conspiracy to commit murder last month for the presumed death of his estranged wife. Monday, he'll be sentenced for the charges.

 ::snipping2::
http://www.wndu.com/hometop/headlines/Douglas_Stewart_faces_sentencing_for_murder_120049584.html

IMO he will never tell/admit. I'll also take a guess he'll get a sentence of MAX 25 yrs. Probably 15-20...serve about 8.

Nut, I hope you are mistaken, but I have a feeling you're correct.  Hopefully the children can be permanently kept away from this POS.

[Sister]

Nut, you've watched these trials much longer than I.  If you were a family member and had the chance of bringing your loved one home for a proper burial, would you be in favor of a lesser sentence?  I've tried to put myself in the families' place, and feel very conflicted about this.  But then I guess my belief system plays a large part in my outlook.  Just curious what you think.

[grace-land]

http://www.wndu.com/hometop/headlines/Southwest_Michigan_man_to_spend_life_behind_bars_for_murder.html

Updated: 5:57 AM Apr 19, 2011

Southwest Michigan man to spend life behind bars for murder
St. Joseph County, Mich.

 ::snipping2::

A jury found 29-year-old Douglas Stewart guilty of premeditated murder and conspiracy to commit murder last month for the presumed death of his estranged wife. Now, he's been sentenced to life in prison without parole for the crime.

Thirty-two-year-old mother-of-two Venus Stewart was last seen about a year ago, on the morning of April 26, 2010, leaving her parents' Colon Township home in her pajamas. Her body has never been found.

The prosecution and police believe Doug conspired with a college student to commit the crime.

According to our partners at WOOD-TV, Stewart briefly spoke at his sentencing Monday, saying he's innocent and that authorities should continue to look for Venus.

--------------------------

 

[Sister]

Thank you for this wonderful update, grace-land, yeah for Justice!

[MuffyBee]

http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2011/04/hundreds_gather_to_remember_ve.html
Hundreds gather to remember Venus Stewart on anniversary of her disappearance
April 27, 2011

CENTREVILLE — Venus Stewart was remembered Tuesday as a strong woman and affectionate mother whose legacy will live on in many ways, primarily through her two young daughters.

Pastor Don Smith told a crowd of about 300 people during a memorial service Tuesday that Stewart was someone who inspired those who knew her to be great.
 ::snipping2::
The public event was staged on the same date that she was last seen and was presumably killed by her estranged husband, Doug Stewart, in 2010. Though Venus Stewart’s body has not been found, Doug Stewart, 30, was found guilty of murder earlier this year and last week was sentenced to life in prison.

“April 26 will never be behind us, no matter how many times it comes and goes on the calendar,” said Venus Stewart’s father, Larry McComb, who with his wife, Therese, have custody of the Stewart’s daughters, Brooke, 6, and Rachael, 4. “It never gets better.”
More...

[Nut44x4]

Nut, you've watched these trials much longer than I.  If you were a family member and had the chance of bringing your loved one home for a proper burial, would you be in favor of a lesser sentence?  I've tried to put myself in the families' place, and feel very conflicted about this.  But then I guess my belief system plays a large part in my outlook.  Just curious what you think.

I can't say for sure because I have never been in the position, but I guess I'd say not for a 'chance' ... I would have to know for sure that it is a done deal first. Show me the body first, then you get your reduced sentence.

[ka8lhi]

http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2011/04/human_skeletal_remains_found_i.html

Maybe about 35 miles is all... It's probably not her - but it's too close not to mention...



COMSTOCK TOWNSHIP — The skeletal remains of a female were found in Comstock Township Thursday evening.

The Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office recovered the remains in the 8400 block of East ML Avenue in Comstock Township, according to a press release issued Saturday morning.

The police said in the press release the identity is not known.

Undersheriff Paul Matyas said Saturday afternoon officials waited to release the information because "we wanted to complete our crime scene uninterrupted." Matyas said the remains will be sent to a forensic anthropologist.
 ::snipping2::
Edit to snip article. (We can now only post the link and partial article.  Thanks- MB