Latest news with #Sterns'
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Yahoo
Stephan Sterns' defense claims it has 'confidential information; wants to delay upcoming court hearing
The Brief Stephan Sterns, accused of raping and murdering 13-year-old Madeline Soto, is seeking to delay a scheduled suppression hearing, citing newly obtained "confidential information," according to court records. The defense hopes to prevent jurors from seeing evidence from Sterns' phone and Google account, which they claim was unlawfully obtained, though prosecutors argue he gave consent. A hearing to determine whether the delay will be granted is set for Tuesday. ORLANDO, Fla. - Stephan Sterns, the man accused of sexually assaulting and killing 13-year-old Madeline Soto, is asking a judge to delay his upcoming court hearing due to "confidential information" his attorneys have recently obtained, according to new court records. The defense claims they will not have time to prepare for an upcoming court appearing, citing the newly-obtained information, a recently-filed motion reads. State prosecutors have objected to the potential delay. What we know The suppression hearing scheduled for Wednesday comes after Sterns' public defender asked a judge to bar jurors from seeing the evidence collected from Sterns' phone and Google account, due to investigators allegedly unlawfully seizing and searching his phone. However, the prosecution claims that Sterns gave consent and the evidence from both the phone and Google account were properly obtained. Now Sterns and his attorneys hope to delay the suppression hearing due to this new "confidential information" they have related to the case. In a new motion seeking a delay, Sterns' attorney wrote: "Since filing [the suppression motions in February], the Defense has come into possession of confidential information that may impact the presentation of evidence at that hearing." "The Defense will not have time to develop this evidence before the currently scheduled Motion to Suppress scheduled for hearing on April 23, 2025." "As such, Defense is requesting to continue these hearings to be reset for a later date." Click to open this PDF in a new window. A hearing has been scheduled for Tuesday to determine if Wednesday's suppression hearing will be delayed. According to court records, the prosecution objects the delay. What we don't know No details have been provided by Sterns' attorney regarding the "confidential information." Watch: Stephan Sterns 2-hour interrogation amid Madeline Soto disappearance Madeline Soto update: Will the media, public be banned from Stephan Sterns' pretrial court hearings? Maddie Soto update: Stephen Sterns jailhouse calls released Judge denies Stephan Sterns' motion to ban the press, public from his pre-trial hearings Stephan Sterns was the boyfriend of Jennifer Soto, Madeline's mother. According to court documents and law enforcement, Sterns lived with Jennifer, Madeline, and another roommate on and off. He would sometimes take Madeline Soto to school and would also sometimes sleep in the same bed as Madeline and Jennifer, court records said. In Feb. 2024, he reportedly took Madeline Soto to school while the girl's mother stayed back at the house. Hours later when Madeline's mom went to pick her up from school, she was told Madeline never made it to school that day. Sterns is charged with first-degree murder in the death of the girl. He is also charged in a separate case with some 60 counts of sexual abuse and possession of child sexual abuse material after thousands of graphic photos, some including Maddie, were found on his cell phone and saved to a Google Drive account, court records said. He has pleaded not guilty to those charges. His trial on the first-degree murder charge is currently scheduled to begin on Sept. 22, 2025. Madeline "Maddie" Soto was a 13-year-old girl who was reported missing on Feb. 26, 2024. Maddie had just celebrated her 13th birthday on February 22, days before she was reported missing. Madeline was a student at Hunter's Creek Middle School in Orlando. Though, she lived with her mom, Sterns, and an adult roommate in Kissimmee. Her body was found in a grassy area in Osceola County on March 1. Sunday, Feb. 25: Madeline Soto's 13th birthday celebration Monday, Feb. 26: Madeline Soto was last seen at 8:30 a.m., didn't make it to school Tuesday, Feb. 27: Madeline Soto's missing poster was released, officials begin search Tuesday night, Feb. 27: Madeline Soto's mom, Jenn Soto, speaks with FOX 35; would-be suspect appears in background Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 28: Orange County Sheriff John Mina hosts press conference about ongoing search Wednesday night, Feb. 28: Mom's boyfriend Stephan Sterns arrested on unrelated charges, named 'prime suspect' in Madeline Soto case Thursday, Feb. 29: Kissimmee Police Department releases Stephan Sterns' arrest affidavit Thursday, Feb. 29: Body language expert assesses Stephan Sterns' body language in Zoom interview with Jenn Soto Friday morning, March 1: Stephan Sterns dodges questions from FOX 35 while being transferred from Orange County to Osceola County Friday afternoon, March 1: Officials say they're 'confident' that Madeline Soto is dead Friday afternoon, March 1: Multi-agency search for Madeline Soto near area where Stephen Sterns was last seen Friday afternoon, March 1: Body found amid search for Madeline Soto Saturday morning, March 2: Stephan Sterns waives first appearance in court Wednesday, March 6: New court documents allege Stephan Sterns may have abused Madeline Soto years before her disappearance, death Tuesday, March 12: State Attorney's Office files 60 additional charges against Stephan Sterns Thursday, March 21: Kissimmee Police Chief holds press conference with updates about investigation Wednesday, April 4: State Attorney Andrew Bain explains why more information has not been released into the Madeline Soto death investigation Wednesday, April 4: FOX 35 obtained the 911 calls from the morning 13-year-old Madeline Soto went missing from Orange County Saturday, April 15: Maddie Soto's family and community members gathered at a vigil Saturday to remember the 13-year-old who was found dead days after she was reported missing in February. Wednesday, April 24: An Osceola County judge granted a motion to continue the pretrial for Stephan Sterns. Wednesday, April 24: A new trial date has been set for Stephan Sterns after an Osceola County judge granted the defense's motion for more time during a pretrial hearing. Thursday, April 25: Stephan Sterns has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of 13-year-old Florida girl Madeline Soto. Monday, June 10: The State Attorney's Office intends to seek the death penalty against Stephan Sterns, the man accused of killing his girlfriend's daughter, 13-year-old Madeline "Maddie" Soto, according to court records – should he be convicted. Wednesday, July 10: Attorneys for Stephan Sterns, who was charged for the murder of 13-year-old Madeline Soto, have filed motions to continue both trials. Thursday, August 22: New police interviews with Stephan Sterns, Jennifer Soto from hours after teen went 'missing' Friday, August 23: New documents obtained by FOX 35 this week show that the teen's mother may have known about that alleged abuse. Monday, August 26: Madeline Soto's mom admits to knowing Stephan Sterns was 'grooming and abusing' her daughter, documents show. Monday, August 26: New documents shed light on how Madeline Soto's body got to the rural location it was eventually found at, and, ultimately, how she died. Monday, October 14: Trial date set for Stephan Sterns Wednesday, October 23: Kissimmee police revealed new information in the ongoing investigation. Alleged killer Stephan Sterns secretly filmed naked roommate, officials say. Friday, October 25: "I didn't start it" Those are the words Stephen Sterns told his parents in a recorded call from jail, audio which was released to FOX 35 Orlando. Thursday, February 6: Stephan Sterns and his attorney file dozens of motions ahead of his murder trial set to begin in September. Asking to strike the death penalty and to have all physical restraint devices removed from Sterns during trial proceedings. Wednesday, February 12: Stephan Sterns wants phone evidence tossed ahead of child sex crimes trial. Wednesday, February 19: Stephan Sterns asks judge to ban public, press from court hearing. Wednesday, February 26: Remembering the 13-year-old one year later; accused killer preps for trial. Tuesday, March 4: New details released in the death of Madeline Soto, one year since the initial report Wednesday, March 5: Watch: Stephan Sterns 2-hour interrogation amid Madeline Soto disappearance Thursday, March 20: Madeline Soto update: Will the media, public be banned from Stephan Sterns' pretrial court hearings? Friday, March 21: Maddie Soto update: Stephen Sterns jailhouse calls released Thursday, March 27:Judge denies Stephan Sterns' motion to ban the press, public from his pre-trial hearings The Source The information in this article comes from the Orange County Sheriff's Office, the North Port Police Department, documents from the Orange County Clerk of Courts and Osceola County Clerk of Courts.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Yahoo
Judge denies Stephan Sterns' motion to ban the press, public from his pre-trial hearings
The Brief A judge denied Stephan Sterns' motion to close his pre-trial hearings in his sexual battery case, ruling that closure is not necessary to ensure a fair trial. Sterns' defense argued that widespread media coverage, including social media content, could impact his ability to receive an impartial trial. ORLANDO, Fla. - The public and members of the press will be allowed in Stephan Sterns' pre-trial hearings, according to new documents from the Osceola County Clerk of Courts. What we know The judge, who heard from the state prosecutor and Sterns' defense attorney during a court hearing last week, has denied Sterns' motion to close the three pre-trial hearings in his sexual battery case. "The Court finds that closure is not necessary to prevent a serious and imminent threat to the administration of justice", according to the judges' ruling. The ruling comes after the hearing held on March 20, 2025, in regard to the motion filed by Sterns'. The motion, obtained through court documentation, states that the spread of information presented in the hearings would prevent Sterns from receiving a fair trial. According to official court documents, the motion was filed by a public defender representing Sterns' on Feb. 19. The motion requested that all pre-trial proceedings be closed in his sexual battery case. A similar motion was also filed in Sterns' separate homicide case. Sterns' defense attorney provided various media coverage, including podcasts, YouTube videos, Reddit feeds and TikTok videos about the case as support for their motion. The backstory Sterns was the live-in boyfriend of Madeline's mother. He is facing a first-degree murder charge in the teen's death. An indictment said Sterns allegedly killed Madeline between Feb. 25 and Feb. 27, 2024. Officials originally said Madeline was last seen by Sterns after he allegedly dropped her off a few blocks from her school. Orange County Sheriff John Mina later announced that Madeline was never dropped off at school and was dead before the school bell rang that day. Sterns allegedly moved her body in the morning hours of that day after killing her in Kissimmee, investigators said. The case was ultimately turned over to the Kissimmee Police Department. The backstory Madeline was a student at Hunter's Creek Middle School in Orlando. She was reported missing on Feb. 26, 2024, after her mother, Jennifer Soto, went to pick her up from school and was told that her daughter was not in class that day. Her body was found days later on March 1, 2024, off Old Hickory Tree Road in rural Osceola County. Madeline was found dead in the area where Sterns was last seen possibly changing a flat tire, wearing clothing similar to what she was last seen in. Prior to her murder, Madeline had recently turned 13 and celebrated her birthday the day before she disappeared. What's next Sterns' defense attorneys plan to pursue several motions, including requests to suppress evidence and testimony, such as Sterns' statements to the police and evidence related to minor children. They may also seek a change of venue due to extensive media coverage. Sterns' sexual battery trial is scheduled to begin on May 5. His murder trial is slated for Sept. 22. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local: Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source This story was written based on previous reporting, as well as information gathered from Osceola County court records. Sunday, Feb. 25: Madeline Soto's 13th birthday celebration Monday, Feb. 26: Madeline Soto was last seen at 8:30 a.m., didn't make it to school Tuesday, Feb. 27: Madeline Soto's missing poster was released, officials begin search Tuesday night, Feb. 27: Madeline Soto's mom, Jenn Soto, speaks with FOX 35; would-be suspect appears in background Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 28: Orange County Sheriff John Mina hosts press conference about ongoing search Wednesday night, Feb. 28: Mom's boyfriend Stephan Sterns arrested on unrelated charges, named 'prime suspect' in Madeline Soto case Thursday, Feb. 29: Kissimmee Police Department releases Stephan Sterns' arrest affidavit Thursday, Feb. 29: Body language expert assesses Stephan Sterns' body language in Zoom interview with Jenn Soto Friday morning, March 1: Stephan Sterns dodges questions from FOX 35 while being transferred from Orange County to Osceola County Friday afternoon, March 1: Officials say they're 'confident' that Madeline Soto is dead Friday afternoon, March 1: Multi-agency search for Madeline Soto near area where Stephen Sterns was last seen Friday afternoon, March 1: Body found amid search for Madeline Soto Saturday morning, March 2: Stephan Sterns waives first appearance in court Wednesday, March 6: New court documents allege Stephan Sterns may have abused Madeline Soto years before her disappearance, death Tuesday, March 12: State Attorney's Office files 60 additional charges against Stephan Sterns Thursday, March 21: Kissimmee Police Chief holds press conference with updates about investigation Wednesday, April 4: State Attorney Andrew Bain explains why more information has not been released into the Madeline Soto death investigation Wednesday, April 4: FOX 35 obtained the 911 calls from the morning 13-year-old Madeline Soto went missing from Orange County Saturday, April 15: Maddie Soto's family and community members gathered at a vigil Saturday to remember the 13-year-old who was found dead days after she was reported missing in February. Wednesday, April 24: An Osceola County judge granted a motion to continue the pretrial for Stephan Sterns. Wednesday, April 24: A new trial date has been set for Stephan Sterns after an Osceola County judge granted the defense's motion for more time during a pretrial hearing. Thursday, April 25: Stephan Sterns has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of 13-year-old Florida girl Madeline Soto. Monday, June 10: The State Attorney's Office intends to seek the death penalty against Stephan Sterns, the man accused of killing his girlfriend's daughter, 13-year-old Madeline "Maddie" Soto, according to court records – should he be convicted. Wednesday, July 10: Attorneys for Stephan Sterns, who was charged for the murder of 13-year-old Madeline Soto, have filed motions to continue both trials. Thursday, August 22: New police interviews with Stephan Sterns, Jennifer Soto from hours after teen went 'missing' Friday, August 23: New documents obtained by FOX 35 this week show that the teen's mother may have known about that alleged abuse. Monday, August 26: Madeline Soto's mom admits to knowing Stephan Sterns was 'grooming and abusing' her daughter, documents show. Monday, August 26: New documents shed light on how Madeline Soto's body got to the rural location it was eventually found at, and, ultimately, how she died. Monday, October 14: Trial date set for Stephan Sterns Wednesday, October 23: Kissimmee police revealed new information in the ongoing investigation. Alleged killer Stephan Sterns secretly filmed naked roommate, officials say. Friday, October 25: "I didn't start it" Those are the words Stephen Sterns told his parents in a recorded call from jail, audio which was released to FOX 35 Orlando. Thursday, February 6: Stephan Sterns and his attorney file dozens of motions ahead of his murder trial set to begin in September. Asking to strike the death penalty and to have all physical restraint devices removed from Sterns during trial proceedings. Wednesday, February 12: Stephan Sterns wants phone evidence tossed ahead of child sex crimes trial. Wednesday, February 19: Stephan Sterns asks judge to ban public, press from court hearing. Wednesday, February 26: Remembering the 13-year-old one year later; accused killer preps for trial. Tuesday, March 4: New details released in the death of Madeline Soto, one year since the initial report Wednesday, March 5:Watch: Stephan Sterns 2-hour interrogation amid Madeline Soto disappearance Thursday, March 20: Madeline Soto update: Will the media, public be banned from Stephan Sterns' pretrial court hearings? Friday, March 21: Maddie Soto update: Stephen Sterns jailhouse calls released
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Yahoo
Madeline Soto update: Will the media, public be banned from Stephan Sterns' pretrial court hearings?
The Brief A court hearing is scheduled for Thursday to discuss a motion filed by a public defender representing Stephan Sterns, requesting that all pre-trial proceedings in his sexual battery case be closed. A similar motion has also been filed in Sterns' separate homicide case. The defense plans to pursue several motions, including requests to suppress evidence and testimony, such as Sterns' statements to the police and evidence related to minor children. They may also seek a change of venue due to extensive media coverage. OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. - Stephan Sterns, the Central Florida man accused of raping and murdering his girlfriend's daughter,13-year-old Madeline Soto, is due in court on Thursday morning. The hearing will be held to discuss Sterns' motion to ban the public and members of the press from attending his pre-trial court hearings, specifically related to his sexual battery case. The motion, obtained through court documentation, states that the spread of information presented in the hearings would prevent Sterns from receiving a fair trial. FOX 35 News will stream the hearing live in the video player at the top of this page. According to official court documents, the motion was filed by a public defender representing Sterns on Feb. 19. The motion requests that all pre-trial proceedings be closed in his sexual battery case. A similar motion was also filed in Sterns' separate homicide case. Sterns' defense attorneys plans to pursue several motions, including requests to suppress evidence and testimony, such as Sterns' statements to the police and evidence related to minor children. They may also seek a change of venue due to extensive media coverage. What they're saying "This case has been the subject of unprecedented and highly prejudicial publicity and media attention in Osceola County, adjacent areas of Osceola County, a majority of the state of Florida, outside the state of Florida and even internationally," the motion states. "At every court proceeding, however minor or inconsequential, there has been extensive coverage by the press as well as social media users on YouTube, TikTok, Twitter (now called X) and Facebook. It is anticipated that the press will continue to be active and aggressive in the coverage of all events and proceedings in this case." What's next Sterns' sexual battery trial is scheduled to begin on May 5. His murder trial is slated for Sept. 22. The backstory Sterns was the live-in boyfriend of Madeline's mother. He is facing a first-degree murder charge in the teen's death. An indictment said Sterns allegedly killed Madeline between Feb. 25 and Feb. 27, 2024. Officials originally said Madeline was last seen by Sterns after he allegedly dropped her off a few blocks from her school. Orange County Sheriff John Mina later announced that Madeline was never dropped off at school and was dead before the school bell rang that day. Sterns allegedly moved her body in the morning hours of that day after killing her in Kissimmee, investigators said. The case was ultimately turned over to the Kissimmee Police Department. The backstory Madeline was a student at Hunter's Creek Middle School in Orlando. She was reported missing on Feb. 26, 2024, after her mother, Jennifer Soto, went to pick her up from school and was told that her daughter was not in class that day. Her body was found days later on March 1, 2024, off Old Hickory Tree Road in rural Osceola County. Madeline was found dead in the area where Sterns was last seen possibly changing a flat tire, wearing clothing similar to what she was last seen in. Prior to her murder, Madeline had recently turned 13 and celebrated her birthday the day before she disappeared. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source This story was written based on previous reporting, as well as information gathered from Osceola County court records.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Yahoo
FHP: Fatal crash on US-1 kills a motorcyclist
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a crash in Brevard County on US-1 involving a car and motorcycle Thursday evening. Troopers arrived on the scene of the crash that caused a roadblock on US-1 south of Harbor Oak Lane in Titusville at approximately 6:31 p.m. According to FHP a 2019 RAM 1500 was stopped, facing west at the stop sign of US-1 and the Manatee Hammock Campground. A 2009 Honda VT750 motorcycle with two occupants were traveling northbound on US-1 south of Harbor Oak Lane in the outside lane. The RAM went to make a left turn onto US-1 and entered the direct path of the Honda and struck it. Read: Sterns' attorneys bombard judge with asks in week-long filing spree The 66-year-old male driver of the RAM was not injured and reminded on the scene, according to FHP. Both occupants of the motorcycle were transported to the hospital; the rider, a male, was pronounced dead, and the passenger, a female, suffered serious injuries but is in stable condition. The crash investigation is ongoing. Read: UCF fraternity under investigation for swastika hazing Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Yahoo
UCF fraternity under investigation for swastika hazing
The University of Central Florida is taking action against a fraternity after pictures emerged of a student being hazed. The picture, obtained by Knight News, showed the blindfolded Phi Gamma Delta pledge with a tinfoil swastika placed in his lap. The university said the incident happened in 2023, but came to light this past fall after someone anonymously left the picture outside an administrative building. They said university staff worked to track down which fraternity was involved and determined the student in the picture didn't know what the object in his lap was. Read: Florida citrus growers say disease, weather impacts could spell end of the industry 'This does not diminish the seriousness of this incident or the harm caused,' a statement from the school said. 'We are continuing to pursue this matter following the policies and processes as outlined in the Golden Rule Student Handbook. Phi Gamma Delta remains on interim action.' The university did not explain what interim action meant, but Knight News reported the fraternity was banned from the upcoming rush season and unable to participate in official recruiting activities. Read: Sterns' attorneys bombard judge with asks in week-long filing spree The national headquarters of Phi Gamma Delta did not respond to a request for comment. Coverage from other local news outlets in different states revealed UCF's chapter is at least the third Phi Gamma Delta chapter to face disciplinary action for hazing since the school year began, with the others being at the University of Arkansas and The University of Oklahoma. UCF has had a history of hazing incidents. Just in a three-year time span between 2017 and 2019, fraternities and students faced disciplinary action for multiple alcohol- and drug-related hazing incidents, including one where a shot gun was pointed at a student's head. Read: Central Floridians rack up millions in COVID funds for lavish lifestyles Few incidents have emerged since the 2020 pandemic, though, and students outside of other fraternities told WFTV Thursday they don't hear of hazing happening often. 'This incident will not deter us from our mission to provide a welcoming, safe campus environment for every student,' UCF's statement said. 'The university will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that acts of hazing have no place at UCF.' Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
