Stephenson trial continues into 3rd day

By Amanda Stewart

Published: January 7, 2009

Testimony continued Wednesday in the trial of a Manassas area man charged with killing his father.

Ryan James Stephenson, 23, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to first-degree murder in the July 1 death of James Dale Stephenson.

The trial was expected to end Wednesday, but instead will continue today.

During the first two days of the trial, jurors listened to recordings of two 911 calls placed from the Davis Ford Road house where both Ryan Stephenson and his father lived.

The first call was made by James Stephenson and the second by his son.

The 911 dispatcher who took the first call testified that no one spoke to her during that call, but she heard moaning and what sounded like "a minor scuffle" in the background.

During the second call, Ryan Stephenson said his father wasn't breathing and that they "had a little tussle." The 911 operator instructed him to do CPR on his father.

Also Tuesday jurors heard testimony from a medical examiner, who determined that James Stephenson died of strangulation.

In her opening statement Tuesday, Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Kristina Robinson told jurors that Ryan Stephenson attacked his father and "choked the life out of him."

Defense attorney Raymond Morely said that Ryan Stephenson "was very afraid of his father" and was trying to defend himself from an attack by his father when he put him into a headlock.

The trial continues today. If convicted of first-degree murder, Stephenson faces up to life in prison.

Staff writer Amanda Stewart can be reached at 703-878-8014.