The victim told police Stephenson had driven to the deserted parking lot and demanded that she undress; she refused and during a struggle tumbled out of the truck and attempted to flee, but was caught by Stephenson who savagely beat the woman and kicked her numerous times in the head and face. Her nose was broken and jaw fractured requiring it be wired shut. The victim also suffered broken teeth and told the court during the trial that she still suffers from headaches.Stephenson left his wife’s car parked across the street from the school where it was found by police; he was arrested outside Ventura County several days later.Stephenson was convicted of several robberies in the 1980s, including two bank robberies.“The three-strikes law was made for people like the defendant,” noted Judge Cloninger.The long delay in Stephenson’s sentencing came about when he changed attorneys: his new lawyer, Michael Plaut, argued in court Tuesday that improper police tactics, Stephenson’s ineffective defense during his original trial, and jury misconduct warranted a new trial for his client.Judge Cloninger rejected the arguments and sentenced Stephenson after a three hour hearing.
SP man receives three strike sentence for Ventura attack on school worker
January 11, 2002
Santa Paula News
A Santa Paula who appeared in court expecting a judge would order a new trial heard instead wept as he was told that he will spend 65 years to life in prison, a three-strikes sentence, for the vicious attack and attempted rape of a Ventura woman in January 2000.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesA Santa Paula who appeared in court expecting a judge would order a new trial heard instead wept as he was told that he will spend 65 years to life in prison, a three-strikes sentence, for the vicious attack and attempted rape of a Ventura woman in January 2000.Terry Lee Stephenson, 37 of Santa Paula, was convicted in June of deadly assault, kidnapping, carjacking, and assault with intent to commit rape. Stephenson’s attorneys had claimed the father of three was being tried due to mistaken identity.His wife and four sons also cried during the sentencing as Superior Court Judge James Cloninger, who told Stephenson, “. . .you owe it to your kids not to send them through the rest of their lives thinking you got a raw deal,” because he wouldn’t admit his guilt. The victim was beaten so “savagely. . .” that an intent to murder was clearly present, added Judge Cloninger.Stephenson had been a Coca-Cola delivery man when early on the morning of Jan. 7 he confronted the 52-year-old woman at Balboa Middle School, where the cafeteria manager knew Stephenson from his soda deliveries.Stephenson dragged the victim out to the parking lot and into her truck where they struggled before he drove away.Another school employee who witnessed the kidnapping and recognized Stephenson called police who found the victim badly beaten in the parking lot of Ventura Missionary Church, about five miles away from the school.
