Jones - Dellas Web: The Many Husbands of a Suburban Black Widow

Aphrodite Jones

Copyright 2007 by Aphrodite Jones
Interior Design by Beautebook
Published by Crime Rant Books
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

For Janet

This book would not have been possible without the support of so many Cincinnatians, many of whom appear on the pages you read here, others whose silent voices helped to add texture to this timeless story. In particular, I want to thank the men who were brave enough to talk about the domestic violence they suffered. This was not something they did lightly or easily. For them, it was a necessary evil, something they talked about in order to bring this subject to light.

Through the years, Ive been fortunate enough to have cooperation from judges, prosecutors, and other lawmen and officials essential to the telling of a true story. None have helped me more, however, than prosecutors Tom Longano, Steve Tolbert, and Jerry Kunkel. I hope I did justice to these three men in my portrayal of them, though I know that is almost impossiblethe sweat and anxiety these guys lived through was greater than anything they would ever allow to be seen in a court of law.

I also need to thank Judge Richard Neihaus, Sergeant Thomas Boeing, Hamilton County Coroner Carl L. Parrott, Tom Gould and Jerry Kosta of the Hamilton County Clerk of Courts, and Lois Gorrasi, the receptionist for the office of Hamilton County Prosecution Attorney Joseph T. Deters. Additionally, many thanks to Guy Hild, of Katz, Teller, Brant & Hild, who spent countless hours talking about his friend and client, Darryl Sutorius; and Michael Florez, attorney-at-law, who allowed me to gain access to his client Olga Mello.

There are other people who cooperated with me whose names I did not use in the text-mainly doctors and nurseswhose details about Dr. Darryl Sutorius and his reputation in the medical community were key to my understanding of this mans life. I thank them for their generosity of time, and of spirit.

To my phone buddiesBeth Evans, Cheryl Sullivan, Scott Mello, and Shawn Craig; my best buddy, Annette Ross; and my sweetheart, Jeff Myhrefor being there, for listening, and for keeping me straight and sane. Without realizing it, you are the people who influenced my style and my storytelling voice in the pages that follow.

Then theres Jeff Hilliard, who first told me about Della Dante Sutorius, and John and Sue Aber, who rented me a place to live-thank you for making this endeavor feasible. In addition, I thank my assistants, Louis Flores and Pamela Wilfinger, who dealt with my demands for perfection and my need for things in a rush.

In a work such as this, their timely contributions are absolutely critical, and without them, this book would not exist.

As always, Im grateful for the support and trust of members of the mediaspecifically, Linda Vaccariello, senior editor of Cincinnati magazine, and TV reporters Ann Alexander and Hagit Limor, who showed me news clips and shared intimate details of their coverage of the breaking Sutorius saga.

To my agent, Matt Bialer of the William Morris Agency, a big huge kiss. Again, Matt, I thank you for your wisdom and care, for guidance in leading me through the ordeal of writing a real-life crime story. You will always be my friend.

To my editor, Jane Cavolina, I thank you for your enthusiasm, and for the significant structural suggestions. You helped me more than you know.

Of all those who helped me, however, no one took greater interest than Deborah Sutorius. To me, she has become a true friend; I never expected it. In return, she has asked people to write to petition the State of Ohio to keep Della in jail forever. I certainly encourage that, and hope people will remember to do so when Della comes up for parole. Althoughat firstDeborah didnt want this book written, she came to see its potential value to all the men and women out there who marry for the wrong reasons. Maybe this story will cause someone out there to thinkto prevent future marriage vows from becoming fatal. FYI, heres the address:

To Whom It May Concern

Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction

1050 Freeway Drive North

Columbus, Ohio 43229

Re: Prisoner # W038992

It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider his vows.

Proverbs 20:25

This book is nonfiction. The story is true, the people are real, the dialogue comes from recollections of the participants and has been cross-checked. I have used pseudonyms for three of Dellas boyfriends whose names appear with asterisks as follows: Sid Davis,* Jeff Freeman,* Brian Powell.* I did this to protect the innocent.

My narrative is based on interviews with dozens of subjects who were kind enough to share their stories. It is through their remembrances and thoughts that I have been able to imagine Della, and re-create events as they actually happened. I did manage, on more than one occasion, to interview Della face-to-face. I believe I have remained faithful to the essence of her being. It is worthwhile to note that she continues to deny her guilt regarding the death of Darryl Sutorius. She did not speak about the threats she is said to have made to her former husbands and lovers.

Though this is a work of nonfiction, I have taken certain storytelling liberties, mostly having to do with the timing of events. I mention this even though the alterations I have made are quite minor. As always, my books are based on thousands of pages of court transcripts, police interviews, and newspaper accounts.

While Im on the subject of things being authentic, let me state for the record that my name was given to me at birth. Aphrodite was the name of my mothers mother. Im half Greek descent, half English. At times, Ive had to bring out my drivers license to prove that, yes, I am for real. Its not a stage name, not a pen name, and I tell you this because people always ask.

IT WAS GIANT, CERTAINLY OVERWEIGHT, AND HE SAT ordering lunch like it was his last supper. Darryl was like that; he had to make a big deal about the menu. It was important to have the right wine, to be familiar with the house specialties, to know the waiters by name. He frequented Primavista, an Italian bistro crowning Price Hill, but this afternoon he wasnt really enjoying the view, nor was he paying much attention to Dick Brunsman, his friend of twenty-five years who sat across the table talking about a new private golf club community in Hilton Head. Darryl and Dick shared a passion for the game. The two of them had just come back from a trip to Dicks oceanfront condominium, and Dick already missed it so much he was talking about buying a larger time-share.

Darryl loved it down there; it was where he spent his happiest days with his first wife and kids. Yet at lunch he seemed to be indifferent. By the time the food arrived, Darryl was sullen. He was avoiding conversation. His eyes became fixed on the floor-to-ceiling windows. It was unlike him to let his food sit, getting cold, and he brooded with an uncanny faraway look on his face. He stared at the slopes of Cincinnati as though they were the Seven Hills of Rome. He was only fifty-five, but in that moment he looked absolutely ancient.