HONOLULU (KHON2) — Stephen Brown was found guilty of all charges in the brutal 2017 killing of North Shore mother Telma Boinville and the kidnapping of her then 8-year-old daughter.
After deliberating for less than a day, the jury in the murder trial of Brown handed down its verdict on Friday, Jan. 20.
Brown was found guilty of murder in the second degree, two counts of kidnapping and burglary in the first degree.
The verdict came after multiple trial dates and emotional testimony in the murder investigation that opened in 2017.
The main argument in the case focused on blood evidence and Brown’s claims against his then-girlfriend Hailey Dandurand.
Brown testified that it was Dandurand who had tied up Boinville at a North Shore beach house and when he stepped outside and then returned he found Boinville had been killed.
However, the prosecution said that when the couple was arrested blood was found on Brown’s clothes and shoes and not Dandurand’s.
The defense pointed out that if Brown had killed Boinville there would have been more blood on the suspect and on Boinville’s daughter who Brown carried from inside a truck and into the home.
Family and friends of Boinville held hands and prayed as they waited for the verdict to be read in court, and were clearly relieved by the jury’s decision.
They left the courtroom in tears and expressed relief. Although they point out that there’s more work to be done.
Hailey Dandurand, the other accused murderer is scheduled for trial in July. There’s also the sentencing phase for Brown’s trial.
The prosecutor has asked for extended sentencing. A hearing will be held on that on Monday. Ultimately, the jury could sentence Brown to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
“For the defendant to be subject to extended term imprisonment, the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is a multiple offender and that an extended term is necessary for the protection of the public,” said Rowena Somerville, Circuit Court Judge.