Aztec Teen Arraigned on Charges in September Fatal Shooting
An eighteen year old Aztec resident was arraigned November 10 in the 11th Judicial District Court on charges tied to the September 13 shooting death of local resident Kit Stephens and the wounding of Dune Stephens. The arraignment and the judge s decision to order pretrial detention underscore local concerns about public safety, probation enforcement, and how the criminal justice system balances community protection and individual rights.
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Eighteen year old Angello Murphy appeared by video November 10 from the San Juan County Detention Center for an arraignment in the 11th Judicial District Court on multiple felony counts linked to a September 13 incident in Aztec that left Kit Stephens dead and Dune Stephens wounded. Court filings allege Murphy is charged with second degree murder, aggravated burglary with a deadly weapon, and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. Murphy s attorney entered a not guilty plea.
The judge set a status conference for January 5 and granted a motion for pretrial detention after being informed of a recent probation violation tied to a prior drug possession plea. The detention decision highlights how recent supervision history can influence custody determinations, and it will shape the pace and posture of pretrial proceedings as prosecutors and defense counsel prepare for the next court calendar.
According to court documents, investigators allege Murphy attempted to break into the Stephens family vehicle and that the shooting involved multiple rounds. A 17 year old companion who was with Murphy is reported to have provided a differing account of events to investigators. Court filings summarize alleged statements and the sequence of events under investigation. The companion is a juvenile and remains identified in filings by age rather than name.
Local law enforcement and court records will determine what evidence moves forward, and prosecutors must decide whether to pursue the charges as filed. The case is being reported and paraphrased from Tri City Record reporting, and public filings will govern the release of further factual details as the matter proceeds through the judicial process.
For San Juan County residents the case raises several institutional and civic questions. First, the pretrial detention decision based on a probation violation draws attention to how probation supervision and enforcement operate locally, especially for young adults with prior pleas. Second, the case may prompt renewed discussion among voters and elected officials about resources for law enforcement, court services, and community based prevention programs that address substance use and youth involvement in crime.
The January status conference will be the next formal public step in the case. As the matter advances through pretrial proceedings, residents seeking information can monitor court dockets at the 11th Judicial District Court and follow local reporting for updates. The outcome of these proceedings will have direct implications for families involved and indirect implications for broader debates in San Juan County about public safety, probation policy, and local civic oversight.
