SUSPECT CLAIMS PTSD AFTER 'FINDING' MADDIE SOTO 13, 'ICE COLD, BLUE LIPS'

Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

iHeartPodcasts and CrimeOnline

True Crime, News

3.9 • 7.6K Ratings

🗓️ 24 March 2025

⏱️ 42 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Stephen Sterns wants to keep his trial private and is arguing to bar the public and media from the courtroom.

Sterns’ public defender, Alesha Smith, presented a PowerPoint to the judge showing how many podcasts, TikTok, Reddit, and YouTube accounts are following the case. She called the coverage “unprecedented” and argued it would make a fair trial impossible.

Minch Minchin, representing several news organizations, countered that Florida and U.S. courts consistently rule proceedings should remain open. “Prominence does not produce prejudice, and juror impartiality does not require ignorance,” Minchin said.

Judge Keith Carsten said he would rule within 10 days.

Meanwhile, authorities released 35 recorded jail calls between Sterns and his parents. In the recordings, Sterns said he found Maddie “ice cold” with her lips “turning blue.” He also said he wished he had called 911. His mother, Debra Sterns, replied, “I wish you had too.”

Joining Nancy Grace today:

Philip Dubé - Former Court-Appointed Counsel, Los Angeles County Public Defenders: Criminal & Constitutional Law, Forensics & Mental Health Advocacy
Caryn Stark - Psychologist, Renowned TV and Radio Trauma Expert and Consultant; Instagram: carynpsych, FB: Caryn Stark Private Practice
Tom Smith - Former NYPD Detective for 30 years, Co-Host of the GOLD SHIELDS Podcast; FB & Instagram: @thegoldshieldshow
Barry Hutchison - Former 26-year Law Enforcement Veteran and Detective, Owner & Chief Investigator for Barry & Associates Investigative Services located in Kansas & Missouri
Anna Sonoda - Child Sex Abuse and Grooming Expert, Clinical Social Worker [counsels convicted sex offenders]; Author of "Duck Duck Groom: Understanding How a Child Becomes a Target”
Joseph Scott Morgan - Professor of Forensics: Jacksonville State University, Author of "Blood Beneath My Feet," and Host: "Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan;" X: @JoScottForensic
Shannon Butler - Investigative Reporter at WFTV Channel 9 in Florida
Dave Mack -CrimeOnline.com Investigative Reporte

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcript

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0:00.0	Crime Stories with Nancy Grace.
0:06.4	A murder suspect now claiming he, he has PTSD, post-traumatic stress syndrome after he finds Maddie Soto, just 14 years old. He finds her already ice cold with blue lips.
0:26.5	This revealed in a stunning secret jailhouse recorded call, he's also whining about his mattress and his food.
0:34.8	And we learn as he's whining to mommy and daddy on the phone, he actually
0:39.3	blames Maddie's mother, Jen Soto, for her daughter's sex abuse and murder. I'm Nancy Grace.
0:48.2	This is crime stories. Thank you for being with us.
0:50.4	I think they do it just a mess with me honest. This place is filthy and unsanitary and one little thin, scratchy-ble blanket, surrounded by
0:59.0	crazies all the time.
1:00.0	Well, it's not the Ritz.
1:02.0	Not the Ritz.
1:04.0	You're charged with murder, Stefan Stern's, the murder of a 14-year- old little girl. Hello. I know you're watching the
1:13.6	jailhouse TV on your phone, according to police, thousands of images of 14 year old Maddie
1:21.6	Soto were found, naked, being raped and more. Okay? That's you. And now you're complaining about your mattress.
1:30.9	Going so far as to give the jail a one star review on Yelp. What are you thinking?
1:41.7	The stories are changing. And all I can say is, thank you, heaven, for technology, or I would never be able to hear what Stefan
1:51.1	Stearns is claiming.
1:52.7	For instance, that his girlfriend, Jen Soto, she's the one to blame for little Maddie's rape and sex abuse and so much more.
2:04.2	And he's now saying, wait for it, that he found Maddie's body, ice cold, her lips blue.
2:13.4	Listen.
2:14.1	Just seeing her pale face and blue lips and how ice cold she was and it's great.
2:20.3	I'm going to stay with you.
2:22.3	Yeah, I remember seeing my brother when he had passed away and this is the last thing I remember seeing him.
	...

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