Latest news with #StevenMurphy
ABC News
26-05-2025
- ABC News
Ex-partner of SA murder victim Steven Murphy labels killer a 'heartless pig'
The ex-partner of Steven Murphy, who was shot dead in a shed at the back of a property north of Adelaide, has referred to his killer as "a heartless pig of a man". Keith Yandle, 48, of Kudla, was previously found guilty by a Supreme Court jury of the murder of the 38-year-old, who was found buried at the Kudla property in April 2023. He previously pleaded guilty to firearms offences and destroying human remains. He also pleaded guilty to the manslaughter or Mr Murphy, but that plea was not accepted by the prosecution. Mr Murphy's ex-partner, and mother of his two sons, Danielle Rogers delivered a victim impact statement to the court on Monday. "You destroyed his family and I want you to suffer and feel guilt and regret for what you have done to a family who did nothing to you." Ms Rogers said the most "painful" part was having to see her "boys in pain". "All they want is their dad back," she said. "I can't fix the missing piece, it shatters my heart to know that I can't fix their broken heart." Mr Murphy's mother Deb Murphy also delivered a victim impact statement to the court saying she feels "hopeless and despair" since her son's murder. "It is hard to put my feelings and expression into words," she said. "It's like I'm on a roller coaster and I can't get off." Prosecutor Melissa Wilkinson told the court that on February 19, 2023, Yandle entered the shed at the back of his property "intending to kill" Mr Murphy. "In my submission, the defendant wanted to catch Mr Murphy, he did not seek the police's assistance to deal with a trespasser, he took the law into his own hands. "He left his house with a loaded semi-automatic rifle and he had his son attend the shed with a baseball bat. "The defendant was ready for a confrontation in the shed and he was ready to attack in the shed. "In my submission, it is likely that he had seen from the CCTV feed in the house that Mr Murphy had returned to his shed that night." During Ms Wilkinson's submissions, Mr Yandle became agitated and had an outburst, before quickly being told to remain quiet by Justice Anne Bampton. "Can you prove that? That's a lie, that's a lie," he screamed out. Ms Wilkinson continued to tell the court that, after shooting Mr Murphy four times, Yandle watched over him as he died. "His lack of conduct and lack of assistance supports the conclusion that the defendant was intending to kill Mr Murphy," she said. "In my submission, the nature of his conduct was callous and showed complete disregard for Mr Murphy and his family. "The conduct in murdering Mr Murphy, and its aftermath, was calculated, ruthless and inhumane." She also said that if it had not been for Yandle's brother alerting police to the events of that night, it is likely Mr Murphy's body would have never been found. Defence barrister James Marcus, for Yandle, told the court his client's lack of assistance to Mr Murphy can be "accurately captured by the words disgraceful and reprehensible", but that he hadn't entered the shed with the intent to kill. "Ultimately this was, in terms of the actual commission of the offence of murder, a spur of the moment decision to shoot," he said. "To suggest an overarching plan to kill him, is not the correct characterisation of what happened." Mr Marcus said Yandle has good prospects of rehabilitation because of his lack of prior offending and the support he still has from his family. Outside court on Monday, Mr Murphy's uncle Sean Murphy, who used to work as a corrections officer in Victoria, said he had met "some pretty vile characters" but that "up until today I didn't think anyone could disgust me much more". "I didn't take my eyes off him (in court) because I couldn't believe that such a disgusting organism exists on the face of the earth," he said. "He should go away for the rest of his life and die… hopefully he's an old man in jail so that he can suffer for all those years… death would be too good for him. "He has no remorse and still no accountability for his own actions." Yandle faces a mandatory term of life imprisonment, and will be handed a non-parole period at a sentencing hearing in July.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Yahoo
Village seeks more grants for Memorial Field project
JEFFERSON — Village council approved two grant applications that could be used for the construction of the Memorial Field inclusive playground that will also hopefully include other fun options for families. Village officials were able to secure a grant last year from the Ashtabula County Board of DD, and assistance from the Ashtabula County Board of Commissioners, toward the construction of an inclusive playground, that could also include other features, like a pair of trails at the property. The village hopes to find financial support from area businesses, and draw people from throughout northeastern Ohio. Jefferson Village Administrator Steven Murphy said the grants would help pay for a portion of the the cost for a proposed Storybook Trail and a loop walk around the property. Village council also approved an ordinance to start the process to renew a 1.55-mill street lights levy, and a one-mill fire levy. The resolution empowers the Ashtabula County Auditor to certify the tax evaluation and the dollar amount that would be generated by the renewal levies. They would not involve any new tax money. Murphy said he did a comprehensive look at available parking spots in the village. He said there are a total of 576 parking spots, including the county courthouse parking lot. Village officials explained their rationale on the use of a speed bump on South Market Street near the entrance to Giddings Park, after a resident asked for officer patrol instead of the device. Jefferson Mayor Jim Chiacchiero said village police can't be everywhere at the same time, and believe placing the bump in the area where a child was killed was the best option, from a safety standpoint. Jefferson Police Chief Chris Mackensen said the village is looking into a grant to pay for a speed table that would replace the bump. The resident said he would be in favor of that solution. Murphy also credited the street department for saving the village thousands of dollars in outside contract money, as they fixed an East Jefferson Street catch basin.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Village handles variety of business
JEFFERSON — Village leaders are preparing the list of streets to be paved in 2025, Village Administrator Steven Murphy said. He said a new handicapped parking spot will be constructed near the village gazebo. Three parking spots will be reduced to two, with one being larger for handicap-accessible vans. Village council approved a new fee schedule for the village weight room, to go into effect July 1. The new schedule will be $60 a year for village employees and safety personnel, $15 a month and $120 annual fee for students under 18, military and corporate partners. Rental for Giddings Park will include a $25 non-refundable fee to rent the park, pavilion, gazebo or Pickleball courts. Jefferson Police Chief Chris Mackensen gave a report, detailing 349 calls in March and 380 in April. He said the department has noticed calls going up, but reports going down, with officers talking out issues instead of ending up in the court system, in some instances. He provided council with a statement regarding a car show in late April at the fairgrounds. Mackensen said the organizer did not adhere to standards agreed upon prior to the event. The event was shortened when Mayor Jim Chiacchiero negotiated to close the show early because sound coming from speakers was shaking the windows of village residents. He said the village will continue to work with groups to provide diverse activities, but organizers must agree to certain standards. A representative of the Jefferson Garden Club said the annual plant sale is scheduled for this weekend, and asked for help unloading hundreds of plants today at Giddings Park. The plants will be on sale Thursday to Saturday.
