Former Wash. death-penalty inmate awaits new trial
PORT ANGELES, Wash. - A Washington man whose murder conviction and death sentence was reversed by the state's high court is in Clallam County jail as he awaits a new trial.
Darold Stenson was charged in Clallam County last week with two counts of aggravated murder in connection with the 1993 slaying of his wife, Denise, and a business partner, Frank Hoerner, at the Stenson's exotic bird farm.
The Peninsula Daily News reports that Superior Court Judge Ken Williams on Friday ordered the 59-year-old man held without bail.
Stenson's next court date is Tuesday, said Clallam County Prosecuting Attorney Deb Kelly.
In May, the state's high court reversed his 1994 convictions, citing the withholding of evidence from the defense by prosecutors. The decision is being appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.
In a hearing on Friday, Stenson said he suspects jail inmates he served time with in the county jail in 1993 may claim that they spoke with him about the case and may testify against him, but he said he never spoke to any inmates about the case.
In addressing the court Friday, Stenson rejected the repeated advice of his court-appointed attorney, Kitsap County lawyer Roger Hunko, who participated in the hearing by phone and implored Stenson more than once to wait until they could discuss the case.
Stenson, who walked into court with a severe limp, said that while in jail 19 years ago on the charges for his first trial, he was approached by two inmates about his case.
“I was approached by two different individuals stating they had been offered some kind of preferential treatment if they could get me to admit to something guilty, and I just wanted to put it on the record now I have never spoken to anybody about my case, and I never will,” Stenson said.
“So if the prosecution comes up with some jailhouse witness because of this, it will be false,” he said.
“That’s all I got to say.”
Kelly said in the interview that she did not know what Stenson was talking about.
“I never heard that before,” she said. “I don’t think it happened.”
-----
The Peninsula Daily News is a media partner of KOMO News.
Darold Stenson was charged in Clallam County last week with two counts of aggravated murder in connection with the 1993 slaying of his wife, Denise, and a business partner, Frank Hoerner, at the Stenson's exotic bird farm.
The Peninsula Daily News reports that Superior Court Judge Ken Williams on Friday ordered the 59-year-old man held without bail.
Stenson's next court date is Tuesday, said Clallam County Prosecuting Attorney Deb Kelly.
In May, the state's high court reversed his 1994 convictions, citing the withholding of evidence from the defense by prosecutors. The decision is being appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.
In a hearing on Friday, Stenson said he suspects jail inmates he served time with in the county jail in 1993 may claim that they spoke with him about the case and may testify against him, but he said he never spoke to any inmates about the case.
In addressing the court Friday, Stenson rejected the repeated advice of his court-appointed attorney, Kitsap County lawyer Roger Hunko, who participated in the hearing by phone and implored Stenson more than once to wait until they could discuss the case.
Stenson, who walked into court with a severe limp, said that while in jail 19 years ago on the charges for his first trial, he was approached by two inmates about his case.
“I was approached by two different individuals stating they had been offered some kind of preferential treatment if they could get me to admit to something guilty, and I just wanted to put it on the record now I have never spoken to anybody about my case, and I never will,” Stenson said.
“So if the prosecution comes up with some jailhouse witness because of this, it will be false,” he said.
“That’s all I got to say.”
Kelly said in the interview that she did not know what Stenson was talking about.
“I never heard that before,” she said. “I don’t think it happened.”
-----
The Peninsula Daily News is a media partner of KOMO News.
this evel killing machine has had more appeals then any other convict thx to those who oppose the death sentence, what about those he has killed ,, where are there rights, hes had more libertys then most free pples,, paid cable in his cell and who knows what else . we loved frank very much , the 911 call he made hangs him as far as im concerned. there are alot of people that have sided on his  side that dont know the facts .. i hope they  bring out all the stuff they found in his garage that was related too aboat missing along with people missing prior to him killing frank and his own wife years before but couldnt be used in the trial.. he should of been put down 2 yrs ago and now we have too relive the trial again ,, thx alot for those who got his conviction overturned ,, your no worse then he is or better id say god bless you but hes not here at present ,, you all be safe ,, dont forget about frank and denise please
This guy is guilty , has been guilty , and always will be guilty. some liberal judge decided to waste some more taxpayer money.  PS i hate this new commenting system. you cant jam idiots on here anymore . No fun.
 @sportbuff01 Has nothing to do with some judge being either liberal or conservative. It has everything to do with this POS not being given the right to a fair trial.
He may be innocent. There was some fishy things going on at the first trial and withheld evidence from the defense too. I hope he gets a fair trial this time around. He may be guilty too. From what I understand he should get another trial and the states high court was correct.
what are you , an ex or something.
@sportbuff01Â I know him and i know the victims.He's guilty as sin .
 @Granny_MAC I seriously doubt that he is innocent, but I agree that because of the shenanigans pulled by the prosecution he deserves a new trial.
@Furd @Granny_MACÂ Â hopefully death penalty will be reinstated.
 @toadaway  @Furd One can hope.
This will be very interesting to folow- lets hope justice will prevail .
Well if they can't put him down, at least put his mustache down! Good grief!
 @Zoso You have a terrific grip on what's important, don't you!
 @Commenter87643 What's your point?