A boy who was 14 years old was found guilty of killing a Casa Grande dancer who was 17.
After being tried as a child in Pinal County, the boy who did the crime was 13 years old.
At a house party in November of last year, Hailey Stephens was shot and died. Her family says it’s been a nightmare every day since.
Police said that night that at least 60 shots were fired and that more than one person was involved.
Several people were caught that night in connection with the shooting that killed one. Most of them were teenage boys. But only one was tried.
A loose bullet killed Hailey at the party. Her friend was hit too, but they both lived.
Vanessa Stephens called Hailey a “vibrant and determined girl” as she sat in her room. She feels safe and close to her daughter there.
She said through tears, “She was a really nice person.” “I didn’t go.” I only knew what I heard. I had to see it for myself.
Vanessa said that going to the trial and seeing the proof and hearing about the investigation helped her accept the truth.
“The government also had to persuade me.” “It’s hard to believe that a 13-year-old could do this,” she said.
Vanessa’s killer was 13 years old when she killed her daughter. So is Vanessa’s son.
She said, “I’m numb to it, and I’m still stuck on I miss Hailey.”
The boy is going to be sentenced on November 14th.
Vanessa said it’s likely that he’ll only be locked up until he turns 18.
“This is what justice for Hailey looks like under Arizona law,” she said. “True justice for me would mean that the person who killed Hailey would spend the rest of their life in prison.” “I still need to find peace with that.”
This mother still doesn’t feel better because she is sad about the future her child lost.
“There is no ending.” “This sadness will never leave me,” she said.
Vanessa says that her daughter wanted to be an ASU dancer.
Hailey’s family made the Hailey Lynn Stephens Foundation in her honor. It gives Casa Grande Union High School kids scholarships to help them pay for college.
A memorial balloon launch will also be held by the charity at the high school on November 23.
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