The Tragic Tale of Stephon Roby: He Was Sentenced To Life For The Brutal Murder Of His Mother And Sister

In Saginaw, Michigan, the story of Stephon L. Roby is one that leaves a deep scar on the hearts of many.

He was convicted of the shocking double homicide of his mother, Leigh King, 42, and younger sister, 11-year-old Sharleea King.

On March 6, 2013, the quiet neighborhood of Hess Street in Saginaw was rocked by a horrifying crime.

That fateful morning, 22-year-old Stephon Roby called 911 to report a break-in at his home.

He claimed that he had left for Delta College and returned to find his mother and sister brutally murdered

This tragic incident would soon become a chilling case of family betrayal.

Leigh King and Sharleea King,

The Gruesome Murder: A Family's Tragic End

The details surrounding the murders are nothing short of horrific.

Medical examiners revealed that both Leigh and Sharleea had suffered multiple gunshot wounds.

Leigh was shot twice in the back of the head, while Sharleea was shot twice in the face and once in the back of her head.

These acts of violence paint a picture of a deliberate and premeditated attack rather than a spur-of-the-moment crime.

Just days before the murders, Roby reportedly threatened to kill his mother and sister.

This was after his sister discovered a gun in his bedroom and reported it to their mother.

When Roby reported the alleged break-in, he suggested that an intruder had entered through a window.

However, investigators quickly found inconsistencies in his story.

Stephon Roby

The Investigation: Unraveling the Truth

As detectives delved deeper into the case, they uncovered troubling evidence.

This evidence contradicted Roby’s version of events.

Saginaw County Medical Examiner Dr. Kanu Virani testified that the time of death suggested the murders happened before Roby returned home.

Furthermore, blood stains from Sharleea were found on Roby’s undershirt.

This indicated a more intimate and violent connection to the crime.

Police Sergeant Kelly Schmidt also noted that evidence in the home did not align with Roby’s story.

The screen from the window had not been disturbed, and the dirt on the window sill suggested no one had entered through that route.

As detectives pieced together the timeline, it became clear that Roby’s story was falling apart.

Roby maintained his innocence throughout the investigation.

He insisted that the evidence against him was circumstantial and that there were alternative explanations for the blood on his shirt and the conditions of the home.

However, as more evidence emerged, it became increasingly difficult for him to substantiate his claims.

Stephon Roby had previous criminal charges and mental health issues.

After his initial arrest, he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and paranoid schizophrenia.

This raised concerns about his mental state and competency to stand trial.

Despite these serious allegations, Roby insisted on representing himself.

The presiding judge, Chief Circuit Judge Fred L. Borchard, called this choice "foolish" and a "big mistake."

Stephon Roby representing himself

The Trial: A Battle of Wits in Court

Stephon Roby’s trial began on December 9, 2014.

This was after he spent three weeks representing himself, much to the dismay of the presiding judge.

As the trial unfolded, Roby struggled to present a coherent defense.

He delivered lengthy arguments but was often cut off by the judge due to time constraints.

The prosecution, led by Saginaw County Assistant Prosecutor Richard King, laid out a compelling case against Roby.

King highlighted the emotional detachment Roby displayed throughout the trial, noting his failure to refer to his mother in a personal way.

Prosecutors said that this attitude indicated a lack of remorse.

The evidence was damning.

The argued that the murders were premeditated, with Roby showing intent through the multiple gunshot wounds inflicted on both victims.

Stephon Roby still maintained his innocence throughout the trial.

He insisted that the evidence was unreliable and that a burglar could have been responsible.

In the end, the jury found him guilty of two counts of first-degree premeditated murder.

After deliberating for only 30 minutes, the jury returned with a verdict that sealed Roby’s fate: a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole.

Seeking Justice: A Verdict of Life

With the verdict delivered, the courtroom was filled with emotion.

Family members of Leigh and Sharleea King wept at the realization of the justice served.

Roby, shackled and wearing a stun vest due to prior incidents in jail, showed little reaction.

The judge reiterated the seriousness of the crime and the weight of the decisions Roby had made, urging him to consider the consequences of his actions.

In the aftermath, family members expressed mixed feelings about the case.

Roby’s grandmother noted that despite the heinous acts, Leigh King would have wanted her son to receive mental health treatment.

Stephon Roby now faces the rest of his life behind bars, a painful reality shaped by choices made in a moment of darkness.