Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Since You Asked: No Marie Callender's in the works for Medford ... Divided Medford council approves Patridge city manager contract ... Pokémon players get later park curfew ... Since You Asked: No Marie Callender's in the works for Medford ... Divided Medford council approves Patridge city manager contract ... Pokémon players get later park curfew ... SENTENCING Hitchhiker found guilty of murder; gets life in prison Rest area death happened in 2015 Comment By The Associated Press MailTribune.com By The Associated Press Posted Jul. 20, 2016 at 6:01 PM By The Associated Press Posted Jul. 20, 2016 at 6:01 PM » Social News OREGON CITY — An Oregon hitchhiker was sentenced to life in prison for the scissor-stabbing death of a motorist who performed oral sex on him. Michael Stepina, 38, a tattoo artist from Albany, made no statements Tuesday following a two-week trial in Clackamas County, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported. The victim, 55-year-old Timothy Way, was stabbed 66 times at an Interstate 5 rest area near Wilsonville. A passer-by discovered the body shortly after the October 2015 killing, and a sheriff's deputy spotted Stepina walking along I-5. "'Til death do us part,' I thought that wouldn't be for a long, long time to come, but you, Michael Stepina, took all of that away, violently, suddenly, forever," Deanna Way said. "My husband died alone. He bled to death on the hard, cold ground." Stepina told investigators Way performed oral sex on him after picking him up and offering him a shower and a meal. Way's wife was out of town. The hitchhiker took the scissors from Way's bathroom and attacked Way when he was dropped off at the rest area. Prosecutor Sarah Dumont said during closing arguments Monday that Stepina felt emasculated when Way performed the sex act and then gave him money. "He felt that he had been treated like a prostitute, and what he decided he was going to do was show Mr. Way that he was a man," Dumont said. "The way he chose to do so was by planning and brutally murdering him." She dismissed defense claims that Stepina was defending himself, saying Way didn't have a weapon and Stepina never tried to leave. Defense attorney Zack Lorts described Stepina as a military veteran suffering from a condition that weakened his muscle use and decreased his ability to think clearly. Lorts said that made Stepina vulnerable to Way, who was 6-foot-4 and nearly 500 pounds. The lawyer also contended that Way had a "predatory sexual interest" in homeless, young men. He said deputies two months before the stabbing interviewed a homeless man who ran out of Way's house wearing only a towel after feeling a sense of danger. Judge Douglas Van Dyk told Stepina the penalty of life in prison is one he "truly and justly deserves." Stepina will be eligible for parole in 25 years. By The Associated Press MailTribune.com By The Associated Press Posted Jul. 20, 2016 at 6:01 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501