Defendants who avoided trial with a plea in 2025
Not all cases head to trial: Bryan Kohberger, Stephan Sterns and other high-profile defendants opted to avoid a jury and plead guilty. More
December 13, 2025
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Stephan Sterns
Stephan Sterns pleaded no contest to murdering his girlfriend's daughter, 13-year-old Madeline Soto, and guilty to 20 sex crimes charges involving the teen.
The Murder of Madeline Soto: Stephan Sterns Sentencing | Court TV Podcast
Stephan Sterns pleaded to murder and 60 sex crimes in the death of Madeline Soto. This episode is his sentencing. More
July 26, 2025
Stephan Sterns Expected To Plead Guilty Ahead of Trial | Opening Statements Podcast
One day before his sex crimes trial was scheduled to begin, Stephan Sterns will appear in court for a plea hearing. More
July 22, 2025
Stephan Sterns Pleads No Contest To Murdering Madeline Soto
Stephan Sterns pleaded no contest to Madeline Soto's murder, but Soto's mother was nowhere to be seen in court. More
July 22, 2025
‘Worst of the Worst’: Reactions to Stephan Sterns’ Plea Hearing
A discussion of recent plea deals: If you're going to have the death penalty, wouldn't Stephan Sterns and Bryan Kohberger be the poster boys? More
July 21, 2025
Stephan Sterns Accepts Plea Agreement, Sentenced for Madeline Soto’s Death
Stephan Sterns pleaded no contest to murdering his girlfriend's daughter, Madeline Soto, and guilty to 20 sex crimes charges involving Soto. More
July 21, 2025
Victim Impact Statements Read Prior To Stephan Sterns’ Sentencing
Madeline Soto's family and friends read victim impact statements prior to Stephan Sterns' sentencing, who pleaded no contest to her murder. More
July 21, 2025
Madeline Soto’s Dad Hopes Inmates Give Sterns Same Horrors He Gave Her
Madeline Soto's father, Tyler Wallace expressed regret over the fact that Maddie wanted to live with him when she turned 13 but never got to. More
July 21, 2025
Stephan Sterns Apologizes In Court: ‘I Have Nothing But Sorrow’
Stephan Sterns told the Court after his plea, 'I have nothing but sorrow for her loss and I miss her all the time.' More
July 21, 2025
Madeline Soto’s Aunt: ‘You Were the Bravest Little Girl I’ve Ever Met’
Madeline Soto's aunt Letizia Nunez said: "I have so much hatred in my heart, specifically for the creature that's sitting in this room today." More
July 21, 2025
Stephan Sterns avoids death penalty with last-minute plea deal
Stephan Sterns pleaded no contest to murdering Madeline Soto and guilty to 20 sex crimes where she was the victim. More
July 21, 2025
Stephan Sterns Pleads No Contest to Murder of Madeline Soto
In exchange for dropping the death penalty, Stephan Sterns pleaded no contest to the first-degree murder of Madeline Soto. More
July 21, 2025
What Does Jenn Soto’s Behavior Reveal? | Vinnie Politan Investigates Podcast
Vinnie Politan investigates the behavior of Jenn Soto and her potential whereabouts during the disappearance and death of her daughter, Madeline Soto. More
July 21, 2025
Stephan Sterns Expected To Plead Guilty Ahead of Trial
One day before his sex crimes trial was scheduled to begin, Stephan Sterns will appear in court for a plea hearing. More
July 21, 2025
Breaking Down the Case of a Teen Boy Accused of Killing a Paddleboarder
Sunshine Stewart, who never returned from a paddleboarding trip, was found dead the next day. A 17-year-old boy is suspected of killing her. More
July 18, 2025
Stephan Sterns Plea Hearing Set For 1 Day Before Trial Set to Start
1 day before sex crimes case was to begin, Stephan Sterns has plea deal set for Mon. He's accused in the death, sexual abuse of... More
July 18, 2025
Jury Selection Begins Tuesday in Stephan Sterns Sex Abuse Case
Stephan Sterns' first trial is for dozens of counts of sexual battery, molestation, and possession of child pornography. More
July 18, 2025
Stephan Sterns Pretrial Hearing in Child Sex Abuse Case
Accused child molester and accused child murderer Stephan Sterns was in court ahead of his child sex abuse case, which begins next week. More
July 15, 2025
Judge denies Stephan Sterns’ request to be unrestrained during trial
Despite testimony that Stephan Sterns has never had a violent outburst, a judge refused to allow him to be unrestrained at trial. More
July 14, 2025
Stephan Sterns’ Sexual Abuse Trial Delayed: Is a Deal in the Works?
Vinnie Politan questions whether Stephan Sterns' attorneys are working on a deal after his sexual abuse trial is delayed. More
July 7, 2025
Did Sterns Confess to Killing Madeline? | Vinnie Politan Investigates
Vinnie Politan analyzes digital evidence and Stephen Sterns' alleged confessions regarding the murder of Madeline Soto, as well as statements from Sterns' parents. More
June 27, 2025
The Search of Stephan Sterns’ Phone | Vinnie Politan Investigates
Following a motions hearing to suppress evidence for Stephan Sterns, Vinnie Politan discusses the details of the search of Sterns' phone and its contents. More
April 25, 2025
Stephan Sterns’ Defense: There Was No Warrant For Cell Phone
Stephan Sterns' defense wants evidence obtained from his cell phone and Google drives suppressed because police never got a warrant. More
April 24, 2025
Stephan Sterns testifies at hearing trying to suppress cell phone evidence
Stephan Sterns' attorneys say his phone was searched and seized illegally, and want all evidence from it tossed from the case. More
April 23, 2025
Murder of Madeline Soto: Stephan Sterns Testifies at Motions Hearing
Stephan Sterns, accused of killing Madeline Soto, 13, faces sex abuse and other charges and wants Google and phone evidence suppressed. More
April 23, 2025
What Do Stephan Sterns’ Jail Calls Reveal? | VPI Podcast
Vinnie Politan analyzes jail calls from Stephan Sterns to his parents discussing finding Madeline Soto dead and the charges he's facing in her death. More
April 2, 2025
What Do Stephan Sterns’ Jail Calls Reveal? | Vinnie Politan Investigates
Stephan Sterns, who is charged with the murder of Madeline Soto, talks to his parents about the charges he's facing. More
March 25, 2025
Stephan Sterns: Jailhouse calls with parents reveal startling new details
Stephan Sterns admits in newly-released jailhouse calls to his parents that he discovered Madeline Soto's body. More
March 22, 2025
Stephan Sterns’ phone calls with parents released to the public
Newly-released jailhouse calls between Stephan Sterns and his parents; prosecutors can access communication between Karen Read and Turtleboy. More
March 22, 2025
Sterns on Facing Death Penalty: ‘You go to sleep, and then you go to heaven.’
Jailhouse calls between Stephan Sterns and his parents were released. Sterns is accused in the death and sexual assault of Madeline Soto, 13. More
March 21, 2025
