The Murder of Madeline Soto: Stephan Sterns Sentencing | Court TV Podcast

Court TV Podcast

Court TV

True Crime, News, Best True Crime Podcast, Best Podcast, Court Tv Live, Courttv Current Trials, Court Live Hearing, Court Tv, Court Tv Podcast, Court Tv Live Stream, How Do I Find Court Tv, Court Live, Court Tv Investigation, Court Tv On The Docket, True Crime Podcast, Court Tv Full Trials, Court Tv Live Stream Free Today, Court Tv Live Stream Today, Live Court Tv Full Trials, Court Tv Trials, Courtroom, On Trial, Law, Criminals, Assault, Crime, Kidnapping, Court Cases, Trials, Murder, Murder Trials

4.6 • 1K Ratings

🗓️ 24 July 2025

⏱️ 62 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

When Madeline Soto disappeared, authorities quickly zeroed in on Stephan Sterns, her mother’s boyfriend, after they discovered disturbing images on his phone and Google Drive account and charged him with murder along with dozens of sex crimes. On 7/21/2025, Sterns pleaded no contest to murder and guilty to 60 sex crime charges. This episode of the Court TV Podcast features the audio of the plea hearing, emotional victim impact statements, and sentencing in the murder of Madeline Soto.

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are simply that.
0:04.8	Opinions.
0:05.7	All are presumed innocent until proven otherwise in a court of law.
0:09.7	Sensitive topics are discussed.
0:11.8	Discretion is advised.
0:14.7	The floor versus Stephan Michael Stearns, 2024, CF-1293, 24, CF-6, 3. Two, parents, the1-2-93, 2024, C.F.
0:21.6	Six, three, two, appearances for the
0:23.6	beginning with the state, please.
0:25.6	Danielle Pennell.
0:26.6	William J.
0:27.6	On behalf of the defense.
0:31.6	Alicia Smith.
0:33.6	Beth Borden.
0:35.6	Peter Mills.
0:38.6	Alex Johnson.
1:28.3	He was walking might be a via. Board. I'm sorry. I'm . Today we have an online presence. Name named Stephanie is that representative from the survivor family?
1:33.3	Yes, Your Honor.
1:34.3	The court has admitted an online presence, Stephanie.
1:51.0	Also admitting, Ross Walker. I'm I'm I'm
2:18.3	I'm
2:20.3	I'm not going to be. I'm going to
2:37.0	I'm going to Court has received two plea forms, one for each of the cases for CF 1,293, 2024 CF 6332
	...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Court TV, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Court TV and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.