Drama in a Dearborn County courtroom today as a murder victim’s family has the last word before her killer receives his sentence. The sentencing of Steve Stephenson comes more than 14 months after police found 67-year-old grandmother Leigh Jennings beaten to death in her Aurora home.
Local 12’s Deborah Dixon tells us what Jennings’ family wanted Stephenson to know.
Steve Stephenson chose not to make a statement before sentencing. But Leigh Jennings’ friends and family had plenty to say. One of her sons shouted “I hope you rot in hell.” A friend of Leigh called him a monster. Jennings’ grand daughter told him he took away her son’s opportunity to learn from her grandmother like she did.
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Victoria Siebe, Granddaughter: “A lot about philosophy, she had a huge impact on my philosophy, unfortunate my son will not get the same privilege.”
Jennings’ son, Ryan Siebe, read to Stephenson from a sympathy card.
Ryan Siebe, Son: “We can honestly say we know what you’re going through, we hope you have answers, we pray for our family with sympathy the children of Bill and Peggy Stephenson.”
Bill and Peggy are Steve Stephenson’s aunt and uncle. Their murders have not been solved.
“I wanted him to understand its not just my family and friends affected. He damaged his family.”
Neighbors who found Leigh’s decomposing body talked of the bloody image of their friend they now have to live with.
Tracey Doss: Found Leigh’s Body: “Her biggest thing was, we’re only human, but I think it took a non-human act to end such a beautiful life.”
Bryan Doss, Found Leigh’s Body: “I’m glad for Ryan and Brandon I’m the one who found her.”
Stephenson didn’t react to anything that was said or to the sentence… life in prison without parole.
“This is unusual, Stephenson said in the pre-sentence report that he wanted more security, so the prosecution agreed to a maximum-security prison.”
Aaron Negangard, Dearborn County Prosecutor: “23 hours lock down, one hour rec time walking around in circle. I don’t think he understands what he requested, but I hope he gets what he requested.”
Stephenson will likely end up in the Michigan City Maximum Security Penitentiary. One relative said today it gives her comfort to know he will take his last breath in his cell.
Stephenson’s attorneys say they’ll appeal the conviction.
