ASHEVILLE, N.C. – A Buncombe County jury has convicted Nicholas Shane Stephenson of second-degree murder and felony child abuse in the death of his 12-week-old daughter, Riley Stephenson.
Following the conviction, Superior Court Judge George Bell sentenced Stephenson this afternoon to an active prison term of 200 to 252 months for the second-degree murder. This sentence will be followed by a consecutive active sentence of 125 to 162 months for the felony child abuse conviction.
The verdict was reached after a trial that concluded with closing arguments on Wednesday. Prosecutors presented evidence arguing that Stephenson was responsible for the infant's death, citing torture, abuse, neglect, and malnutrition.
The case included testimony from the child's mother, Diandra Haleigh Fuhr-Farlow, who previously pleaded guilty to felony child abuse. At trial, the defense cross-examined Fuhr-Farlow’s testimony and questioned her credibility.
Stephenson was charged and tried for committing the offense of first degree murder but was convicted by the jury of the lesser included offense of second degree murder.
"The evidence in this case was extremely graphic. We are grateful to the jury for their careful consideration of the evidence, which has held Stephenson accountable for the heartless cruelty he inflicted on this most vulnerable and innocent child," District Attorney Todd Williams said.
###