Death Investigation
The incident initially appeared to be a carjacking; Stenson was bound, shot in the head and chest, and then run over with his own SUV. Information which surfaced following the murder indicated that it may have been the culmination of a more elaborate scheme.
Stenson had received threatening text messages from former girlfriend, Jennifer Gaddis, including one that said "U better pray I never see you U again. I swear Dernell U R worth a Murder charge 4 & that is all U R worth." She had engaged in odd behavior before, having faked both a pregnancy and a suicide in order to attract Stenson's attention. Police searched Gaddis's home and place of work and questioned her extensively, but concluded that she was not involved.
Four men were ultimately arrested for the crime, with robbery stated as motive. Reginald Riddle and David Griffith were both charged with six felonies, among them first-degree murder, kidnapping, and armed robbery. Reginald Riddle agreed to a plea to avoid a possible death sentence. He received a sentence of 25 years to life in prison in exchange for testifying against his co-defendant, David Griffith. Prosecutors elected to seek the death penalty for Griffith. Kevin Riddle (Reginald's half-brother), pled guilty to charges of auto theft, hindering prosecution, and attempted hindering prosecution. He received a sentence of eight years and nine months in prison. Charges against a fourth man, Robert Maye, were dropped after it was determined that he was a protected federal witness who had testified against the Chicago-based Gangster Disciples street gang.
In December 2007, Griffith was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole after pleading guilty to murder, armed robbery and kidnapping. Riddle pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in 2006 as a part of a plea bargain; on January 25, 2008, he was sentenced to life in prison but will be eligible for parole after 25 years.
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