Murder For Money: Opening Arguments In Stephenson Trial

Wednesday, May 8, 2013 at 7:28 AM

Accused murderer Charles Robert Stephenson (center) walks into the courtroom with defense attorney Gary Sorge (left) for the start of his trial Wednesday.

Mike Perleberg-Eagle 99.3

(Lawrenceburg, Ind.) – Evidence will show that Charles Robert Stephenson planned to kill Leigh Jennings, Dearborn-Ohio County Prosecutor Aaron Negangard told 12 jurors.

Stephenson, 58, is on trial for the March 2012 murder of Jennings, a divorced barber, in her home on Aspen Ridge Road in Aurora. The reason Stephenson used a 10 pound iron skillet and a pepper grinder to fatally beat Jennings seven times was only for his love of money, Negangard said during opening arguments Wednesday morning.

“For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows,” Negangard told the jury, quoting the Bible verse 1 Timothy 6:10.

Stephenson has been in jail without bond since his arrest in the days following the discovery of Jennings body on April 5. He looked less the part of jailbird and more of a dapper businessman wearing a gray suit, no shackles, and clean shaven with parted hair. He was often seen ruffling through paperwork at his desk in the courtroom.

Pointing to Stephenson as he addressed jurors, Negangard began building the case.

“The trail of evidence you will see in this courtroom leads to only one person on this entire planet: Charles Stephenson,” he told jurors.

Negangard spoke of the investigation which included efforts from various police agencies. Stephenson’s DNA was found on the two murder weapons which were used to beat Jennings over the head seven times, the prosecutor said. He also accused Stephenson of lying to investigators.

Stephenson owed several thousand dollars to his aunt in northern Kentucky. She had successfully sued him and earned a court order that Stephenson pay the debt. The day before the alleged murder, Stephenson, short on cash, bounced a $1,000 check to his aunt’s attorney. In fear of the bad check crime being reported to police, he promised to make good on the payment.

The Walton, Kentucky resident visited Jennings on March 29, bringing pizza to her and turning off his cell phone in northern Kentucky, Negangard said. The last time she had been seen alive was earlier that day.

On March 30, Stephenson gave a $1,000 money order to his aunt’s attorney. Prosecutors say he got the money from Jennings’ bedroom safe after attacking her.

Neighbors and friends Bryon and Tracey Doss became worried when they noticed mail piling up in Jennings’ mailbox. On April 5, with the permission of Jennings’ son Ryan Siebe, the Dosses got into her home through a rear basement window and made the startling discovery.

The defense used its opening argument to ask jurors to keep an open mind even when the prosecution’s argument seems compelling.

“This case is not about money as the state said,” attorney Gary Sorge said, adding his client was once a successful businessman who handled large sums of money.

“And he succumbed to the pressure of a thousand bucks?” Sorge asked skeptically. “There really is no motive here.”

Speaking to jurors, Sorge said there is no direct evidence that Stephenson committed the murder, only circumstantial evidence. He also accused police of being deceitful in their investigation.

Much is at stake in the trial that is expected to last about two weeks. If convicted on both Murder and Robbery charges, Stephenson could be sentenced to life in prison without parole.

LINKS:

Jurors Selected; Aurora Murder Trial To Begin

Stephenson Murder Trial Begins Monday

Prosecutors Seek Life For Aurora Murder Suspect

Stephenson Held Without Bond; Pleads Not Guilty

Murder Suspect Could Arrive In Indiana Wed.

Murder Suspect Charged; Used Pepper Grinder, Skillet

Judge Denies Stephenson Lower Bond

Ky. Prosecutors Link Stephenson To Aurora Murder

Person of Interest Indicted In Boone Co.

“Person of Interest” Arrested For Drugs

Police: Aurora Murder Victim Was Beaten To Death