The man accused of molesting and killing Madeline Soto shortly after her 13th birthday will stand trial next fall.

Stephan Sterns, the boyfriend of Madeline’s mother, Jennifer Soto, faces charges of first-degree murder and 60 other offenses, including sexual battery, molestation, and possession of child pornography. Sterns has not attended court in months, choosing to skip pretrial hearings. In phone calls with his parents, Sterns claimed he "didn't start" the situation he is now facing. Jennifer Soto told police she had always feared a "Woody Allen situation."

Sterns' trial is set to begin on September 22, 2025.

 Joining Nancy Grace today:
Philip Dubé  – Court-Appointed Counsel, Los Angeles County Public Defenders: Criminal & Constitutional Law; Forensics & Mental Health Advocacy
Dr. Jorey Krawczyn – Police Psychologist, Adjunct Faculty with Saint Leo University; Research Consultant with Blue Wall Institute, Author: Operation S.O.S. – Practical Recommendations to Help “Stop Officer Suicide”
Robin Dreeke – Behavior Expert & Retired FBI Special Agent / Chief of the FBI Counterintelligence Behavioral Analysis Program; Author: “Sizing People Up: A Veteran FBI Agents Manual for Behavior Prediction;” X: @rdreekeke
Anna Sonoda – Child Grooming Expert, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and Author: “Duck Duck Groom: Understanding How a Child Becomes a Target”
Dr. Eric Eason – Board-certified Forensic Pathologist, Consultant; Instagram: @eric_a_eason, Facebook: Eric August Eason, LinkedIn: Eric Eason, MD
Shannon Butler – Investigative Reporter WFTV-9



 

The man accused of molesting and killing Madeline Soto shortly after her 13th birthday will stand trial next fall.
Stephan Sterns, the boyfriend of Madeline&rsquo;s mother, Jennifer Soto, faces charges of first-degree murder and 60 other offenses, including sexual battery, molestation, and possession of child pornography. Sterns has not attended court in months, choosing to skip pretrial hearings. In phone calls with his parents, Sterns claimed he "didn't start" the situation he is now facing. Jennifer Soto told police she had always feared a "Woody Allen situation."
Sterns' trial is set to begin on September 22, 2025.
&nbsp;Joining Nancy Grace today:
<ul>
<li>Philip Dub&eacute;&nbsp; &ndash; Court-Appointed Counsel, Los Angeles County Public Defenders: Criminal &amp; Constitutional Law; Forensics &amp; Mental Health Advocacy</li>
<li>Dr. Jorey Krawczyn&nbsp;&ndash; Police Psychologist, Adjunct Faculty with Saint Leo University; Research Consultant with Blue Wall Institute, Author: Operation S.O.S. &ndash; Practical Recommendations to Help &ldquo;Stop Officer Suicide&rdquo;</li>
<li><a href="http://peopleformula.com/">Robin Dreeke</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Behavior Expert &amp; Retired FBI Special Agent / Chief of the FBI Counterintelligence Behavioral Analysis Program; Author: &ldquo;Sizing People Up: A Veteran FBI Agents Manual for Behavior Prediction;&rdquo; X: @rdreekeke</li>
<li><a href="http://annasonoda.com/">Anna Sonoda</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Child Grooming Expert, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and Author: &ldquo;Duck Duck Groom: Understanding How a Child Becomes a Target&rdquo;</li>
<li>Dr. Eric Eason &ndash; Board-certified Forensic Pathologist, Consultant; Instagram: @eric_a_eason, Facebook: Eric August Eason, LinkedIn: Eric Eason, MD</li>
<li>Shannon Butler &ndash; Investigative Reporter WFTV-9 </li>
</ul>
&nbsp;

Nancy Grace dives deep into the day’s most shocking crimes and asks the tough questions in her new daily podcast – Crime Stories with Nancy Grace. Nancy Grace had a perfect conviction record during her decade as a prosecutor and used her TV show to find missing people, fugitives on the run and unseen clues. Now, she will use the power of her huge social media following and the immediacy of the internet to deliver daily bombshells!

Theme Music: Audio Network

Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

Nancy Grace dives deep into the day’s most shocking crimes and asks the tough questions in her new daily podcast – Crime Stories with Nancy Grace. Nancy Grace had a perfect conviction record during her decade as a prosecutor and used her TV show to find missing people, fugitives on the run and unseen clues. Now, she will use the power of her huge social media following and the immediacy of the internet to deliver daily bombshells!

Theme Music: Audio Network

MADDIE SOTO'S MOM FEARED 'WOODY ALLEN' SITUATION, MOM'S BF 'MADDIE STARTED IT'

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/9f894c7a-9010-48b0-bd9d-b264015ba7f1/transcript

A Southern California real estate dispute turns fatal when two men allegedly kidnap an associate, and execute him in a car trunk before deputies intervene. Atlanta Instacart driver's car stolen with her two-year-old daughter inside, leading to a rapid response and rescue. Authorities credit Flock cameras for Alabama arrest of Florida fugitive wanted for kidnapping a child under ten. Sydney Silvagni reports. 

A Southern California real estate dispute turns fatal when two men allegedly kidnap an associate, and execute him in a car trunk before deputies intervene. Atlanta Instacart driver's car stolen with her two-year-old daughter inside, leading to a rapid response and rescue. Authorities credit Flock cameras for Alabama arrest of Florida fugitive wanted for kidnapping a child under ten. Sydney Silvagni reports.&nbsp;

Chino Hills Kidnapping Ends in Trunk Execution & Deputy Shooting | Crime Alert 08.04.26

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/adbb04bf-db24-4a02-9c4c-b49c0007ee06/transcript

Nolan Wells’ official autopsy is now complete, but remains under seal. It's headed to a secret Grand Jury.  We do know the results of the Wells family's independent autopsy. It concluded the cause and manner of death are undetermined pending further investigation. The pathologist noted advanced decomposition, removal of key organs during the state autopsy, and an inconclusive red discoloration on the back of Wells’ head. No fractures or deep tissue injuries were identified.   

A newly enhanced recording of a July 4 emergency call from Wells’ friends reportedly includes phrases like “Is he dead?” and “Wake up.”  It's not known if that those word apply to Nolan.

As the investigation continues, many connected to it are getting death threats and the FBI is investigating.   

Joining Nancy Grace today:
Tezlyn Figaro  -  Journalist and host "The Tezlyn Figaro Podcast, "Managing News Editor for "REVOLT News Television".  Consultant for Attorney Ben Crump. Political Analyst, Veteran 
Franz Borghardt  -  Criminal Defense Attorney, Founder of Borghardt Law Firm, Former Prosecutor, website: www.borghardtlawfirm.com, Insta/FB: BorghardtLawFirm 
Jeanetta Brantley - audio engineer who enhanced the 911 audio in Nolan Wells case 
George Olivo  - former FBI Special Agent & Polygraph Examiner, georgeolivo.com
Joseph Scott Morgan -  Professor of Forensics: Jacksonville State University, Author, "Blood Beneath My Feet", YouTube Host: "Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan", @JoScottForensic, 
Susan Hendricks  -  Investigative Journalist, Author: “Down the Hill: My Descent into the Double Murder in Delphi", IG @susan_hendricks X @SusanHendicks 
Dave Mack  - Investigative Reporter, 'Crime Stories'

Nolan Wells&rsquo; official autopsy is now complete, but remains under seal. It's headed to a secret Grand Jury.&nbsp; We do know the results of the Wells family's independent autopsy. It concluded the cause and manner of death are undetermined pending further investigation. The pathologist noted advanced decomposition, removal of key organs during the state autopsy, and an inconclusive red discoloration on the back of Wells&rsquo; head. No fractures or deep tissue injuries were identified.&nbsp; &nbsp;
A newly enhanced recording of a July 4 emergency call from Wells&rsquo; friends reportedly includes phrases like &ldquo;Is he dead?&rdquo; and &ldquo;Wake up.&rdquo;&nbsp; It's not known if that those word apply to Nolan.
As the investigation continues, many connected to it are getting death threats and the FBI is investigating.&nbsp; &nbsp;
Joining Nancy Grace today:
<ul>
<li>Tezlyn Figaro&nbsp; -&nbsp; Journalist and host "The Tezlyn Figaro Podcast, "Managing News Editor for "REVOLT News Television".&nbsp; Consultant for Attorney Ben Crump. Political Analyst, Veteran&nbsp;</li>
<li>Franz Borghardt&nbsp; -&nbsp; Criminal Defense Attorney, Founder of Borghardt Law Firm, Former Prosecutor, website: <a href="http://www.borghardtlawfirm.com/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="6">www.borghardtlawfirm.com</a>, Insta/FB: BorghardtLawFirm&nbsp;</li>
<li>Jeanetta Brantley - audio engineer who enhanced the 911 audio in Nolan Wells case&nbsp;</li>
<li>George Olivo&nbsp; - former FBI Special Agent &amp; Polygraph Examiner, georgeolivo.com</li>
<li>Joseph Scott Morgan -&nbsp; Professor of Forensics: Jacksonville State University, Author, "Blood Beneath My Feet", YouTube Host: "Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan", @JoScottForensic,&nbsp;</li>
<li>Susan Hendricks&nbsp; -&nbsp; Investigative Journalist, Author: &ldquo;Down the Hill: My Descent into the Double Murder in Delphi", IG @susan_hendricks X @SusanHendicks&nbsp;</li>
<li>Dave Mack&nbsp; - Investigative Reporter, 'Crime Stories'</li>
</ul>

NOLAN WELLS BOMBSHELL: DEATH-THREAT "BLOOD, SO MUCH BLOOD"

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/5d60ca44-fb44-4793-8f8b-b49b00c5e1f6/transcript

When Lindsay Clancy’s third child is born, her recovery seems to be different.  

The 32-year-old reaches out to her parents and her in-laws to help her manage the children and things around the home. Her husband, Patrick Clancy sets up a home office in the basement to work remotely, so he can be on hand to help. When Lindsay starts to have thoughts of suicide, and worse, hurting the children, she checks herself into the McLean Psychiatric Hospital, 

Five days after checking into a psychiatric hospital Lindsay Clancy is reportedly told she doesn't have postpartum depression. Husband Patrick Clancy tells friends that after her hospital stay, Lindsay seems to be getting better. She is sleeping better, interacting with friends and family, and going out in public without any difficulty. When Patrick Clancy asks his wife if she is having any suicidal thoughts, Lindsay Clancy says "No."   

Later on in the year, with his wife having been prescribed at least 13 different medications, Patrick Clancy texts a friend saying he’s concerned that Lindsey has been prescribed too many medications. Patrick allegedly told friends that he worried she was suffering “the worst side effects possible” from one of her prescriptions. He says he thinks she is going through benzodiazepine withdrawal.   

On a Tuesday afternoon Lindsay Clancy sends a text to her husband to pick up takeout.  As Patrick Clancy leaves to pick up dinner, Lindsay sends him a text to stop off by the drugstore and pick up some medicine for the children.  

Patrick Clancy stops by the drug store to pick up the medication but gets confused as to exactly which medicine to buy. He calls Lindsay Clancy on the phone, but she doesn't answer. She calls back a minute later.

Patrick says she sounded like she was in the middle of something. Lindsay answers his question about the medication and Patrick picks it up and heads to  3V to get their dinner.  When Patrick Clancy comes home, he’s met with silence.

He finds his wife in the backyard. She had jumped out of a second-floor window after slitting her wrists. The children are in the basement,  strangled, an exercise band still wound around their necks.  

Investigators revealed in court papers that Lindsay Clancy allegedly researched "ways to kill" before the deaths of her three children.    Now Lindsay Clancy,  paralyzed after her second-floor fall, is on trial for three counts each of murder and strangulation. 

The trial has been emotional so far. Ex-husband, Patrick Clancy, served as the state's first witness. He details her deteriorating mental health leading up to the tragedy but noted that she appeared to be having "one of her best days" just hours before the event.   The court played the emotional, impounded 911 audio recorded when Patrick returned home to discover his wife on the ground outside and his children strangled in the basement.  Police officers, firefighters, and emergency room doctors gave gut-wrenching testimony.  The jurors then completed a rare site visit to the former family home in Duxbury, as well as the local CVS and restaurant Patrick visited on the evening of the killings.

The trial continues this week.

Joining Nancy Grace today:
Josh Kolsrud - Criminal Defense Attorney and Former Assistant U.S. Attorney, Founder of Kolsrud Law Offices, Co-Host of the Podcast: "No Contest", website: kolsrudlawoffices.com, Facebook and YouTube @KolsrudLawOffices 
Dr. Catherine Birndorf, MD - Reproductive Psychiatrist and Postpartum Expert.  Co-Founder, CEO, Medical Director at The Motherhood Center of New York.  Former board member at Postpartum Support International, Founding Director of the Payne Whitney Women’s Program at Weill Cornell Medicine – New York-Presbyterian Hospital. Author: "What No One Tells You: A Guide to Your Emotions from Pregnancy to Motherhood"  and "The Nine Rooms of Happiness: Loving Your Life, Finding Your Purpose, and Getting Over Life’s Little Imperfections 
Claudia King  - Former Law Enforcement Officer, Domestic Violence Expert; Host  "No Contest" and "Strong Enough," www.claudiamking.com, @realclaudiaking 
Dr. Kendall Crowns - Chief Medical Examiner Tarrant County (Ft Worth), Host of the Podcast "Mayhem in the Morgue", Lecturer: Burnett School of Medicine at TCU (Texas Christian University) Shannon Hill (NYC) Host, Shannon Hill News on Instagram, Tiktok and YouTube 
Dave Mack - Investigative Reporter, 'Crime Stories'

When Lindsay Clancy&rsquo;s third child is born, her recovery seems to be different.&nbsp;&nbsp;
The 32-year-old reaches out to her parents and her in-laws to help her manage the children and things around the home. Her husband, Patrick Clancy sets up a home office in the basement to work remotely, so he can be on hand to help. When Lindsay starts to have thoughts of suicide, and worse, hurting the children, she checks herself into the McLean Psychiatric Hospital,&nbsp;
Five days after checking into a psychiatric hospital Lindsay Clancy is reportedly told she doesn't have postpartum depression. Husband Patrick Clancy tells friends that after her hospital stay, Lindsay seems to be getting better. She is sleeping better, interacting with friends and family, and going out in public without any difficulty. When Patrick Clancy asks his wife if she is having any suicidal thoughts, Lindsay Clancy says "No."&nbsp; &nbsp;
Later on in the year, with his wife having been prescribed at least 13 different medications, Patrick Clancy texts a friend saying he&rsquo;s concerned that Lindsey has been prescribed too many medications. Patrick allegedly told friends that he worried she was suffering &ldquo;the worst side effects possible&rdquo; from one of her prescriptions. He says he thinks she is going through benzodiazepine withdrawal.&nbsp; &nbsp;
On a Tuesday afternoon Lindsay Clancy sends a text to her husband to pick up takeout.&nbsp; As Patrick Clancy leaves to pick up dinner, Lindsay sends him a text to stop off by the drugstore and pick up some medicine for the children.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Patrick Clancy stops by the drug store to pick up the medication but gets confused as to exactly which medicine to buy. He calls Lindsay Clancy on the phone, but she doesn't answer. She calls back a minute later.
Patrick says she sounded like she was in the middle of something. Lindsay answers his question about the medication and Patrick picks it up and heads to&nbsp; 3V to get their dinner.&nbsp;&nbsp;When Patrick Clancy comes home, he&rsquo;s met with silence.
He finds his wife in the backyard. She had jumped out of a second-floor window after slitting her wrists. The children are in the basement,&nbsp; strangled, an exercise band still wound around their necks.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Investigators revealed in court papers that Lindsay Clancy allegedly researched "ways to kill" before the deaths of her three children.&nbsp; &nbsp; Now Lindsay Clancy,&nbsp; paralyzed after her second-floor fall, is on trial for three counts each of murder and strangulation.&nbsp;
The trial has been emotional so far. Ex-husband, Patrick Clancy, served as the state's first witness. He details her deteriorating mental health leading up to the tragedy but noted that she appeared to be having "one of her best days" just hours before the event. &nbsp; The court played the emotional, impounded 911 audio recorded when Patrick returned home to discover his wife on the ground outside and his children strangled in the basement.&nbsp; Police officers, firefighters, and emergency room doctors gave gut-wrenching testimony.&nbsp; The jurors then completed a rare site visit to the former family home in Duxbury, as well as the local CVS and restaurant Patrick visited on the evening of the killings.
The trial continues this week.
Joining Nancy Grace today:
<ul>
<li>Josh Kolsrud - Criminal Defense Attorney and Former Assistant U.S. Attorney, Founder of Kolsrud Law Offices, Co-Host of the Podcast: "No Contest", website:&nbsp;<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://kolsrudlawoffices.com__;!!PxibshUo2Yr_Ta5B!zX40TD-XvsRrWvieNhfFmuafd3JkWddClwkauhVFLINuzQ9ct2JfF2w3d153Cn272gDxGS1BgJxG-ORivCg$" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="1">kolsrudlawoffices.com</a>, Facebook and YouTube @KolsrudLawOffices&nbsp;</li>
<li>Dr. Catherine Birndorf, MD - Reproductive Psychiatrist and Postpartum Expert.&nbsp;&nbsp;Co-Founder, CEO, Medical Director at The Motherhood Center of New York.&nbsp; Former board member at Postpartum Support International, Founding Director of the Payne Whitney Women&rsquo;s Program at Weill Cornell Medicine &ndash; New York-Presbyterian Hospital. Author: "What No One Tells You: A Guide to Your Emotions from Pregnancy to Motherhood"&nbsp; and "The Nine Rooms of Happiness: Loving Your Life, Finding Your Purpose, and Getting Over Life&rsquo;s Little Imperfections&nbsp;</li>
<li>Claudia King&nbsp; - Former Law Enforcement Officer, Domestic Violence Expert; Host&nbsp; "No Contest" and "Strong Enough," www.<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://claudiamking.com__;!!PxibshUo2Yr_Ta5B!zLX36skncAJeKGvDi4o_IKnry5iPKl6lJ50iU0dGo3qv_SlTeGg7clhD9-y-U-SEDnKCIleX3DQqkjRDGImsuGTMzg$" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="3">claudiamking.com</a>, @realclaudiaking&nbsp;</li>
<li>Dr. Kendall Crowns - Chief Medical Examiner Tarrant County (Ft Worth), Host of the Podcast "Mayhem in the Morgue", Lecturer: Burnett School of Medicine at TCU (Texas Christian University) Shannon Hill (NYC) Host, Shannon Hill News on Instagram, Tiktok and YouTube&nbsp;</li>
<li>Dave Mack - Investigative Reporter, 'Crime Stories'</li>
</ul>

Mom Lindsay Clancy 3 Tots Dead, Jury Shock @ Grim Crime Scene

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/841ac985-6440-45e0-ad26-b49b00c63526/transcript

MADDIE SOTO'S MOM FEARED 'WOODY ALLEN' SITUATION, MOM'S BF 'MADDIE STARTED IT'

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