“We hope this life sentence provides some level of closure for the Wells and Rios families after two decades of uncertainty,” said Assistant District Attorney Eric Dobroth. “Our hearts are with them as they move forward from this terrible incident.”
"At long last, our community has delivered Justice for Stephen; Justice for Jerry; and Justice for Ranger Jackson," said District Attorney Dan Dow. "We are grateful to the jury, all those who investigated and testified, and our prosecution team who performed with excellence."
On April 19, 2023, a San Luis Obispo County jury found Stephen Arthur Deflaun (DOB 01/24/1959) guilty of two counts of first degree murder with the use of a firearm and one count of assault on a peace officer with a firearm. The verdicts came after a three week trial during which the jury heard from over a dozen witnesses.
