ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Closing arguments wrapped up Wednesday in the trial of Nickolas Shane Stephenson, accused of first-degree murder and felony child abuse in the death of his 12-week-old daughter, Riley Stephenson.
Prosecutors urged jurors to consider evidence they say shows Stevenson caused the infant’s death, emphasizing alleged abuse, neglect and malnutrition. They described the case as a tragic example of a child left vulnerable and argued that the state had met its burden to prove Stephenson’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
In response, defense attorney Dustin Randolph Dow told jurors that the prosecution had failed to meet that standard. “I cannot tell you what happened, and neither can you, based on the evidence in this courtroom. That is the state’s responsibility,” Dow said. “They must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that my client committed these assaults. It is not enough for them to show that it’s possible, probable or likely.”
Dow challenged the credibility of key witnesses, particularly Riley’s mother, Diandra Haleigh Fuhr-Farlow, whose testimony he called inconsistent and self-serving.
“The lead detective didn’t even believe her,” he said. “She lied repeatedly. You cannot rely on her words to establish what happened.”
Assistant District Attorney Stormy Ellis addressed the co-defendant in this case, Fuhr-Farlow, who pleaded guilty to felony child abuse. She told jurors that her plea did not absolve Stephenson of responsibility.
“There were only two people in this child’s life: Mr. Stephenson and Ms. Fuhr-Farlow,” Ellis said. “All evidence shows the defendant inflicted harm.”
The defense also criticized the investigation, arguing it was incomplete and driven by assumptions rather than facts. Dow highlighted the lack of prior criminal history for both Stephenson and Fuhr-Farlow, the presence of 142 bottles of formula in the home and the absence of concrete evidence tying Stephenson to the child’s injuries.
“Nicholas was not sophisticated; he had no support and didn’t know what he was doing. That is not first-degree murder,” Dow said.
Both sides emphasized the emotional nature of the case. Dow warned jurors not to let emotion cloud their judgment, while prosecutors painted a picture of a child left in preventable danger.
“He ignored her screams, then he ignored her silence,” Ellis told jurors. “She finally gave up. She died. They did not call an ambulance until she stopped breathing. This is torture. This is murder. This is child abuse.”
The jury is expected to begin deliberations Thursday morning.
Prior coverage
Detective describes investigation, interviews in Asheville baby’s death
Pathologist: Infant’s death caused by injuries, malnutrition, pneumonia
Pediatrician testifies infant’s death was ‘child torture’
‘She would cry’: Mother recounts abuse before baby’s death
Body cam, crime scene evidence shown in Asheville murder trial
Emergency responders testify in death of 12-week-old
Jury hears opening arguments in Asheville infant death case
Infant’s death at center of Buncombe County murder trial
