Latest news with #PaulStephenson
Fox News
04-07-2025
- Fox News
Colorado man sentenced to life in prison for DUI that killed Air Force veteran, injured his children
A Colorado man who killed an Air Force veteran while driving drunk last year will spend the rest of his life behind bars after he was found guilty of first-degree murder. Paul Stephenson, 57, of Castle Rock, was convicted in April of killing USAF Lt. Col. Matt Anderson and injuring his four children after he crashed his truck into their vehicle while driving drunk in August 2024. Stephenson was sentenced to life in prison plus 92 years. Anderson was stopped at a 7-Eleven gas station with his family following a trip to the Douglas County Fair when he was killed, according to the 23rd Judicial District Attorney's Office. His wife was walking into the store when Stephenson drove his Chevy Silverado into their vehicle. While in court, Stephenson admitted to drinking a bottle of fireball whiskey and two beers before driving and his blood alcohol level was 2.5 times the legal limit, the DA's office said. Stephenson racked up his third DUI conviction when he was found guilty of killing Anderson. District Attorney George Brauchler said his office pursued the first-degree murder charge to "send a message to drunk drivers in Douglas County." Brauchler, who prosecuted the case, said it is a "bitter coincidence" that justice was handed down against Anderson's killer one day before July Fourth. "It is a bitter coincidence that the day before we celebrate our nation's independence, we have to confront the loss of one of America's great Patriots who died… Not at the hands of the enemy… But by the selfish conduct of one of us," Bruachler said. "The only appropriate sentence in this case is the one that will prevent things like this from happening again by scaring the hell out of those who would engage in similar behavior." Brauchler acknowledged that Douglas County is the most aggressive on drunk drivers compared to other jurisdictions in the area. Anderson's father said the verdict gives their family "a small amount of closure" and thanked the agencies involved in handing the sentence down. Senior Deputy District Attorney Nate Marsh commended the jury's decision and said it reflected how serious it is to drive drunk. "The defendant cared only about himself and showed a complete disregard for the value of human life. This was murder in the first degree-extreme indifference and the jury agreed. His life sentence will ensure he cannot rip anyone else from their family," Marsh said.
CBS News
04-07-2025
- CBS News
Colorado drunk driver receives life sentence after killing Air Force serviceman father of four at gas station
In a Douglas County courtroom, loved ones of Lt. Col. Matthew Anderson delivered heartbreaking impact statements, asking the judge to deliver a harsh sentence for the man who killed their husband and father. The U.S. Air Force colonel and father of four was killed by a drunk driver in 2024 while their family was stopped at a gas station. Lt. Col. Mike Anderson Anderson family In April, the jury found Paul Stephenson guilty of first-degree murder and driving under the influence, among other charges. On Thursday, a judge sentenced Stephenson to life in prison, plus 92 years. In court, Anderson's wife said she and her four children were traumatized by the violent and preventable death of their father. She spoke about how she will never get to grow old with Matt, how he won't be there for his children's weddings and graduations, and how her youngest won't have any memories of him. Other family members said Anderson was a family man, an Air Force pilot and former Division I athlete who will be deeply missed. "He was our baby brother, but so much more," said Jill Anderson, the military veteran's sister. Jill described her brother as a perfect child and someone everyone looked up to. "Justice, that's all we have. That's all we have to give us some kind of closure," Jill said. For the first time, images released by the district attorney's office showed the family the day Matt Anderson was killed -- Aug. 4, 2024. The family of six had enjoyed a day at the Douglas County Fair before stopping at at 7-Eleven. While Matt gassed the car up and his wife went inside to get popsicles, prosecutors say Paul Stephenson veered across four lanes of traffic. Video from 7-Eleven shows the horrifying moment his truck crashes into the Anderson family car, Matt's wife witnessing the crash from outside their family's vehicle. The couple's children were injured, and Matt Anderson was killed. "When Matt was murdered by that guy, his four kids, they made it through it," said Wayne Anderson, Matt's father, who called their survival miraculous. Tyler Yowell, a Castle Rock Police Department investigator, got choked up when speaking about the case in court, recalling one of the children saying, "My daddy died. He can't play with me anymore." Prosecutors also showed the court body camera footage from officers on scene, depicting the chaos and pain of the family in the aftermath of the crash. "You need to pray for your soul, Paul," said Wayne Anderson, addressing the driver directly in court. At the time of the crash, Stephenson's blood alcohol content was 2.5 times the legal limit. He has a criminal history of domestic violence and prior DUIs. Prosecutors say he drank a pint of Fireball whiskey and two Bud Lights, and was on his way to the liquor store when he struck the family car. They say he took no accountability and was more worried about damage to his truck when questioned by officers. In court, Stephenson said it wasn't a fair trial and, "I'm sorry we're all here." The judge said she was "baffled" by his lack of empathy and accountability before she handed down a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole, plus 92 years. Matt's family hopes his loss -- and Stephenson's sentence -- will deter people from drinking and driving. "It's a real relief to hear the judge, how she was affected by this whole thing," Mike's father said. "I just feel better that today is kind of done and can get on with it. It won't be easy for any of us. There's a lot of us involved."
CBS News
04-07-2025
- CBS News
Colorado drunk driver receives life sentence after killing U.S. veteran father of four at gas station
In a Douglas County courtroom, loved ones of Lt. Col. Matthew Anderson delivered heartbreaking impact statements, asking the judge to deliver a harsh sentence for the man who killed their husband and father. The U.S. Air Force colonel and father of four was killed by a drunk driver in 2024 while their family was stopped at a gas station. Lt. Col. Mike Anderson Anderson family In April, the jury found Paul Stephenson guilty of first-degree murder and driving under the influence, among other charges. On Thursday, a judge sentenced Stephenson to life in prison, plus 92 years. In court, Anderson's wife said she and her four children were traumatized by the violent and preventable death of their father. She spoke about how she will never get to grow old with Matt, how he won't be there for his children's weddings and graduations, and how her youngest won't have any memories of him. Other family members said Anderson was a family man, an Air Force pilot and former Division I athlete who will be deeply missed. "He was our baby brother, but so much more," said Jill Anderson, the military veteran's sister. Jill described her brother as a perfect child and someone everyone looked up to. "Justice, that's all we have. That's all we have to give us some kind of closure," Jill said. For the first time, images released by the district attorney's office showed the family the day Matt Anderson was killed -- Aug. 4, 2024. The family of six had enjoyed a day at the Douglas County Fair before stopping at at 7-Eleven. While Matt gassed the car up and his wife went inside to get popsicles, prosecutors say Paul Stephenson veered across four lanes of traffic. Video from 7-Eleven shows the horrifying moment his truck crashes into the Anderson family car, Matt's wife witnessing the crash from outside their family's vehicle. The couple's children were injured, and Matt Anderson was killed. "When Matt was murdered by that guy, his four kids, they made it through it," said Wayne Anderson, Matt's father, who called their survival miraculous. Tyler Yowell, a Castle Rock Police Department investigator, got choked up when speaking about the case in court, recalling one of the children saying, "My daddy died. He can't play with me anymore." Prosecutors also showed the court body camera footage from officers on scene, depicting the chaos and pain of the family in the aftermath of the crash. "You need to pray for your soul, Paul," said Wayne Anderson, addressing the driver directly in court. At the time of the crash, Stephenson's blood alcohol content was 2.5 times the legal limit. He has a criminal history of domestic violence and prior DUIs. Prosecutors say he drank a pint of Fireball whiskey and two Bud Lights, and was on his way to the liquor store when he struck the family car. They say he took no accountability and was more worried about damage to his truck when questioned by officers. In court, Stephenson said it wasn't a fair trial and, "I'm sorry we're all here." The judge said she was "baffled" by his lack of empathy and accountability before she handed down a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole, plus 92 years. Matt's family hopes his loss -- and Stephenson's sentence -- will deter people from drinking and driving. "It's a real relief to hear the judge, how she was affected by this whole thing," Mike's father said. "I just feel better that today is kind of done and can get on with it. It won't be easy for any of us. There's a lot of us involved."
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Yahoo
Man found guilty of murder in DUI crash that killed US Air Force lieutenant colonel
DENVER (KDVR) — Paul Stephenson was found guilty of murder after hitting and killing a U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel while driving under the influence. On Monday, a jury in the Douglas County Court found Stephenson guilty of murder in the first degree — extreme indifference. He was also found guilty of criminal attempted murder against the victim's spouse and children, along with several other charges. Stephenson's sentencing is set for July 3 at 1:30 p.m. The charges stem from the summer of 2024 when a truck crashed into the gas pumps at a 7-Eleven in Castle Rock and killed 38-year-old Air Force Lt. Col. Matthew Anderson. He was filling up gas at the pump with his family in the car during the time of the crash. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox Records show Stephenson had stated he had been drinking beer and a pint of Fireball Whisky before the crash. During the trial, Stephenson testified that he did not remember the crash and knew it was wrong to drink and drive. The jury went into deliberation on Thursday and came to a verdict on Monday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Yahoo
Jury deliberating in case of man accused of DUI, killing US Air Force lieutenant colonel
CASTLE ROCK, Colo. (KDVR) — It was last summer when a truck crashed into the gas pumps at a 7-Eleven in Castle Rock and killed a member of the Air Force. The store is located on East Plum Creek Parkway. A police affidavit states a pickup truck crashed into the gas pumps on Aug. 4, 2024, at 2:22 p.m. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox That truck hit another vehicle and a man who had just parked at a pump and was putting gasoline in his Sequoia SUV. Court records show 56-year-old Paul Stephenson was driving the truck that went out of control. The Douglas County District Attorney's office says 38-year-old Air Force Lt. Col. Matthew Anderson from Centennial was killed. His family was inside the SUV at the time. Records show Stephenson had stated he had been drinking beer and a pint of Fireball Whisky before the crash. Police said video cameras captured the truck moving recklessly and at a high rate of speed. Stephenson took the stand at the Douglas County Courthouse Thursday, testifying that he did not remember the crash and that he knew it was wrong to drink and drive. Closing arguments started late Thursday afternoon, where both state prosecutors and Stephenson's defense attorney spoke about what happened on the day of the crash. 'And that conduct begins from the moment this guy climbs into that truck having drank a pint of whiskey and two Bud Lights and puts himself on those roads. And then at the perfect moment, for him and the worst moment for everyone else, he turns, accelerates and plows right into that crowded gas station,' 23rd Judicial District DA George Brauchler said. 12-year-old girl dies a week after deadly Thornton motorcycle crash 'Something happened to him to make that vehicle go into that 7-Eleven parking lot. There's no indoor camera there, so we don't know exactly how, but something did. That's not the way he drives,' Defense Attorney Mike Mitchell said. Several members of the Air Force dressed in blue military uniforms were in the courtroom for the closing arguments. Anderson's wife, father and other family members were also present. The jury deliberated for an hour and a half and is scheduled to resume deliberations on Monday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
