Rios found guilty

The jury found Rios guilty of second-degree murder and armed criminal action.

By Eva Dou

Published Dec. 5, 2008

Former Columbia police officer Steven Rios was convicted of armed criminal action and second-degree murder of fomer MU student Jesse Valencia in a retrial Friday.

A Clay County jury sentenced Rios to life in prison for the second-degree murder charge and 23 years for the armed criminal action charge.

Rios, who had an affair with Valencia, is convicted of slashing the 23-year-old man’s throat in June 2004. At his first trial in 2005, Rios received a sentence of life in prison for first-degree murder. He was granted a retrial in 2007 by the Missouri Western District Court of Appeals, which ruled the judge had allowed hearsay evidence.

Jesse’s mother Linda dissolved in tears as Friday’s verdict was read.

“I am happy,” she said. “I would rather have the death penalty but I do think there was justice done for Jesse.”

Special Prosecutor Morley Swingle said he was pleased with the outcome.

“Now 24 jurors have found him guilty,” Swingle said. “We are 24-0.”

Swingle said this case marks the first time the Columbia Police Department has been able to match trace evidence to the DNA of a killer. Rios’ DNA was found under the victim’s fingernails and on hairs found on Valencia’s chest.

“This is a major victory for the Columbia Police Department,” Swingle said.

Defense Attorney Gillis Leonard, who had argued the presence of Rios’ DNA on Valencia could be explained by their sexual relationship, said he was disappointed by the verdict but hoped to offer a “compelling case for leniency” after Rios’ official Jan. 16 sentencing date.

The second-degree murder verdict means Rios could be eligible for parole in the future, Swingle said.

In closing arguments before the jury started its sentencing deliberations, Swingle called Linda Valencia to testify for the prosecution. Linda Valencia said she talked to her son daily when he was in college and he was her best friend and confidante.

“We talked about everything,” she said. “We had no secrets from each other. We were just best friends. I miss him so much.”

In the defense’s closing statement, Leonard said Rios was Jesse’s friend too. Leonard also asked jurors to consider Rios’ 4-year-old son in their sentencing.

Swingle said Rios hadn’t considered Valencia or his family when committing the murder.

At about 7:30 p.m., jurors began their sentencing deliberations and returned with a life sentence for the second-degree murder, the maximum penalty for that charge, and 23 years for armed criminal action, well above the lower limit of three years.

Friends of Jesse Valencia said they were happy Rios will not go free.

“Jesse was just a great guy, very passionate about life,” friend Kenneth McKenzie said. “I’m pleased with the verdict.”

Linda Valencia said her son is buried on the family farm in Perryville, Ky., and immediately upon her return, she will lay a white rose on his grave to symbolize that justice was done.

She also said she is excited for the birth of her first grandchild, who is expected to be born on Jesse’s birthday, February 22. Linda said her older daughter Marie, 19, plans to name the boy Christopher Hayden.