FL - Madeline Soto, 13, Missing Child Alert, 13500 blk Town Loop Blvd, Orlando, 26 Feb 2024 *arrest* #14

[Gemmie]

I'm skeptical that SS went into JS's room at all. I welcome correction if I'm wrong, but IIRC, that story has been told only by JS. I don't think SS has ever said anything about going into her room for a reason related to the dog.

JMO and as I said, I welcome correction if I'm wrong.

I found a few things about SS and the dog The first quote is what JS's ex said about that.

Pg 40: EX said he wanted to make sure he spoke with JS over the phone because he wanted to hear the tone of her voice. EX described JS's tone as being anxious [as] if something was wrong. EX said they were speaking over speakerphone and Stephan was with JS. Stephan made the comment that he felt guilty because he forgot his phone, and then he accidently reset it. EX couldn't believe that Stephan was saying over the phone. JS began saying what time she thought she woke up because of the dog, and Stephan interjected and told her that he would take care of the dog so she could rest.

Another instance on Pg 30 (Note that SS wasn't talking about the dog, rather that he was talking to JS in those early hours): Stephan said they got up around 0700 hours on 02/26/2024. Stephan said he spoke with Jennifer a couple times while he was in and out of her room, even though Jennifer said they only spoke once about the dog.

https://www.scribd.com/document/761331151/24001809-Stephen-Sterns-Documents-released-by-Kissimmee-PD-regarding-the-investigation-into-Madeline-Sotos-murder

 

[Gemmie]

I think it was JS that said she woke up before her alarm because she heard SS in the room putting the lease on the dog-- I think she went into some spiel about the dog sleeping with her on her bed and how she would be forced to get up because the dog would wet her bed with her in it. I just remember that I had zero sympathy for JS sleeping in dog pee!

If SS decided to take the dog out that morning-- for the first time, I'd say it was because he was trying to keep JS asleep in her room while he made the great escape with her deceased child. JMO

What I recall is that the dog would get nervous and pee on the bed which is why she didn't want SS to put the leash on him while he was on the bed. It wasn't because the dog just peed on the bed for no reason.

@ttjo - I know you have the proof of this at your fingertips.

 

[ttjo]

What I recall is that the dog would get nervous and pee on the bed which is why she didn't want SS to put the leash on him while he was on the bed. It wasn't because the dog just peed on the bed for no reason.

@ttjo - I know you have the proof of this at your fingertips.

I will find you a clip, what I am not 100% sure of is of the dog sleeps on the bed or just in the room, regardless, it sounded like he put the dog on the bed to leash it, and she said " "she shot up" b/c the dog gets excited, and he may pee. This interviewer asks a lot of questions about what she did at that time, did you get out of bed? was anyone else in the home? did you reach for your phone? I feel like he's more interested in her " alarm being removed from notifications" " when do you wake up and how do you wake up?"
Starts at about 18:09

 

[Tricia]

Websleuths will be off-line temporarily on Friday, Feb. 14th. For more info CLICK HERE

 

[Gemmie]

More dockets posted yesterday for SS's murder case.



Partial SS from the 1st docket:

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[tlcya]

More dockets posted yesterday for SS's murder case.

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Partial SS from the 1st docket:

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pulling out all the stops in their ploy for sympathy for SS over this death penalty possibility. What they don't seem to have much of is mitigators that are personal to SS himself. Like, good or sympathetic things he is or has done that might offset the horrible things he is accused of. Notably absent is poor poor SS was abused as a child, or SS volunteered to read to the blind, or SS once gave a kidney to a total stranger.

Nope, just "the death penalty is very bad and mean" and now "the jurors should have to see the horrible chamber themselves before finding him guilty"

 

[CuriousCricket]

pulling out all the stops in their ploy for sympathy for SS over this death penalty possibility. What they don't seem to have much of is mitigators that are personal to SS himself. Like, good or sympathetic things he is or has done that might offset the horrible things he is accused of. Notably absent is poor poor SS was abused as a child, or SS volunteered to read to the blind, or SS once gave a kidney to a total stranger.

Nope, just "the death penalty is very bad and mean" and now "the jurors should have to see the horrible chamber themselves before finding him guilty"

I think weedle SS is delusional thinking that after hearing about the years of abuse and the eventual murder of MS the jury will have any sympathy for him. I think his comfort is the last thing THEY will care about. Surely his attorneys are experienced enough to know better?

 

[LetsSolvIt]

One thing I don't understand... when he had Maddie strapped into the car seat and he returned to the complex... he went inside the apartment then, didn't he? For like maybe 15 minutes? So he left her in the car parked outside?? Fully visible to anyone who might walk by the car? It had become daylight by that time! They park their vehicles near their front door in a parking lot filled with other vehicles. He wasn't worried about anyone seeing her like that in the car?? Strikes me as really weird.

Also, some wondered why he had to go into JS bedroom that morning before he left with MS body. I think it's possible he went in there to get Maddie's birthday money. We know he had to buy vape supplies and they're not free!

Something just popped in my head. Do we have any proof that MS actually went upstairs with SS other than what JS and SS have told LE about how the evening transpired?

Is there some version of the murder where it happened downstairs or maybe in the master BR? And the body was placed in Maddie’s BR like she was sleeping there until the wee hours when SS put on her typical school clothes and took her body out to the car in the dark? The texts the two adults shared about MS making her nest and all that might still work if MS’s body was tucked in her own bed like she was sleeping there that night.

Something along these lines would explain some things we are wondering about.

SS wouldn’t have had to bring her body down quietly and discreetly in the pre-dawn morning. He might have gone into JS’s room not for the dog but to get help from JS with some aspect of dressing MS (she wasn’t in her pajamas in the car), looking for her Crock, or moving her body. (I think walking the dog was made up anyway.) He and JS are so symbiotic — maybe he had a logistical question for her?

The noise the roommate heard in the night could have been for any reason, and all the rush up and down the steps and doing laundry in the morning could still be related to the murder but maybe just not in a way we are imagining.

Only my mind wandering around. Are these ideas totally far-fetched?

Another thought I had about the dog story is that the leash had been used to strangle MS, and bringing it into JS’s room and saying he was going to walk the dog was part of creating his timeline?

Added: I like the birthday money thought, too. Very likely.

Just my musings. Won’t be surprised if you all remember something that negates my ideas.

 

[LetsSolvIt]

I think it was JS that said she woke up before her alarm because she heard SS in the room putting the lease on the dog-- I think she went into some spiel about the dog sleeping with her on her bed and how she would be forced to get up because the dog would wet her bed with her in it. I just remember that I had zero sympathy for JS sleeping in dog pee!

If SS decided to take the dog out that morning-- for the first time, I'd say it was because he was trying to keep JS asleep in her room while he made the great escape with her deceased child. JMO

I have found the dog who gets so anxious when put on a leash that it will wet on the furniture kind of ironic in this horrific story. Even the dog has issues! It has anxiety! It hasn’t been taught boundaries and it hasn’t been house-broken! Who’s in charge?

It’s not the dog’s fault — but poor parenting. OMG! Are we surprised? OMO.

 

[LetsSolvIt]

pulling out all the stops in their ploy for sympathy for SS over this death penalty possibility. What they don't seem to have much of is mitigators that are personal to SS himself. Like, good or sympathetic things he is or has done that might offset the horrible things he is accused of. Notably absent is poor poor SS was abused as a child, or SS volunteered to read to the blind, or SS once gave a kidney to a total stranger.

Nope, just "the death penalty is very bad and mean" and now "the jurors should have to see the horrible chamber themselves before finding him guilty"

Why the H€££ is it so horrible? What is *horrible* was what he allegedly did to Maddie!!!

I hope that after the jurors look at the death chamber they are made to look at photos and videos of SS abusing our dear MS. This makes me boiling angry! “Horrible” indeed!

 

[I am not Sherlock H.]

Yes, it's one of my theories of why he went into JS's bedroom while she was sleeping to get or deal with the elusive "something". It for darn sure wasn't to walk the dog like he said. I'll put all my money on that (which is another way of saying JMO. lol)

Yes @Gemmie …. and IIRC this IMO might lead to another element of the involvement of both of them? Reason being didn’t JS also have some ‘explanations’ for the supposed dog walk and the leash for the dog when questioned? Still SMH as to whether anyone else might be charged in the case.

From what has been observed, I can think of at least three possible for different charges. IANAL….. but what about hindering prosecution; lying to authorities; accessory after the fact; tampering with evidence; other? There were IMO also the odd statements from SS parents about the storage locker, hard drive, his use of the car and when; SS phone and didn’t the father loan him one; whether someone thought MS might have been at or near their residence? Just too many coincidences IMO. SMH. MOO

 

[I am not Sherlock H.]

I will find you a clip, what I am not 100% sure of is of the dog sleeps on the bed or just in the room, regardless, it sounded like he put the dog on the bed to leash it, and she said " "she shot up" b/c the dog gets excited, and he may pee. This interviewer asks a lot of questions about what she did at that time, did you get out of bed? was anyone else in the home? did you reach for your phone? I feel like he's more interested in her " alarm being removed from notifications" " when do you wake up and how do you wake up?"
Starts at about 18:09

Interesting @ttjo and unfortunately the only conclusion that I can form of JS from all the released information thus far - is that she is more concerned about the impact of something on her dog or herself - than she is of anything’s impact on her own young daughter! Over years! I best stop here. It strains credulity. MOO

 

[Seattle1]

Why the H€££ is it so horrible? What is *horrible* was what he allegedly did to Maddie!!!

I hope that after the jurors look at the death chamber they are made to look at photos and videos of SS abusing our dear MS. This makes me boiling angry! “Horrible” indeed!

No sympathy here -- file this with can't handle the punishment, don't commit the most heinous crime against a child who trusted you! Visiting the chamber or his housing pre-execution may have worked pre 2023, but good luck today where imposing the DP only needs an 8-4 jury vote.

Fortunately for justice for Madeline, Florida revised the Statute just in time which provides that jurors need not be unanimous on the decision of death.

In April 2023, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 450, which changed the state's death penalty law to allow a death sentence to be imposed with an 8-4 jury vote. This change lowered the threshold for a death sentence recommendation from a unanimous vote.

Florida Legislature Rescinds Unanimous-Jury Requirement in Death Sentencing | Death Penalty Information Center

Florida is poised to become the state with the nation’s lowest threshold for juries to recommend death sentences, after the state legislature...

deathpenaltyinfo.org

 

[LoveyG]

No sympathy here -- file this with can't handle the punishment, don't commit the most heinous crime against a child who trusted you! Visiting the chamber or his housing pre-execution may have worked pre 2023, but good luck today where imposing the DP only needs an 8-4 jury vote.

IMO, this will backfire on the Defense because the jurors will be thinking the Death Row conditions are way too nice for the likes of SS.

(many edits. need more coffee)

 

[tlcya]

I think weedle SS is delusional thinking that after hearing about the years of abuse and the eventual murder of MS the jury will have any sympathy for him. I think his comfort is the last thing THEY will care about. Surely his attorneys are experienced enough to know better?

I think this is their only way to attempt to protect him from the possibility of a death sentence and I also think they know they have zero shot with this tactic but still must engage in it to be able to say they did their very best for their disgusting client. I do not envy anyone in the position of having to try to defend the indefensible, but that is the path defense attorneys have chosen, defending the monsters of the world.

 

[Gemmie]

More dockets posted today in the CSAM case. It's early in the day so more may be coming. Red underline doesn't surprise me at all.

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[imstilla.grandma]

“You’re OK with us going through your phone?” Tagler asked.

“Yeah,” Sterns said before telling the detective his phone’s five-digit PIN.

Battle over evidence in the killing of 13-year-old Madeline Soto

Stephan Sterns' attorney is asking a judge to throw out evidence investigators found on his cellphone and online account.

www.wesh.com

At a pretrial hearing on Feb. 12, the judge granted a continuance, postponing the case until April 23.

Stern is now expected to stand trial sometime between May 5 and May 21.

Madeline Soto case: Stephan Sterns wants phone evidence tossed ahead of child sex crimes trial

Stephan Sterns, the Florida man accused of killing his girlfriend's 13-year-old daughter, Madeline "Maddie" Soto, has filed motions seeking to suppress evidence found on his cellphone, according to court documents.

www.fox35orlando.com

 

[LetsSolvIt]

More dockets posted today in the CSAM case. It's early in the day so more may be coming. Red underline doesn't surprise me at all.

View attachment 564113

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Year in “Date of Offense” on this document (upper right) is incorrect. Should be 2024, not 2022.

 

[Gemmie]

Year in “Date of Offense” on this document (upper right) is incorrect. Should be 2024, not 2022.

More typos from court docs! Good catch, @LetsSolvIt!

 

[iamshadow21]

Year in “Date of Offense” on this document (upper right) is incorrect. Should be 2024, not 2022.

Unless this is a charge for a thing he did and recorded over two years ago? It says date of offense, not date of charge.

MOO