This Cop didn’t do this . Too Many others around that could have . This Cop was Up set afterwords so he went to the movies to hide and rebel in his own way . then the whole world around him fines out he was in a sexual relationship with this Guy . Some people Just don’t know how to handle there private life being expose for the whole dam town to see.
So what if he had a secret fetish. He didn’t kill That poor kid .

The hair found on Jesse , maybe it flew off this Cop while waiting for someone to relieve him. It was said he had to stand there by Jesse’s body.
Cops Judge to quickly instead of Just doing there Job thrall.. Like Darlie Router, Was Judged By How she was reacting By her babies graveside On One’s birthday . They didn’ show the whole taping of her events that day, Just afterwords her shooting silly string. Who is to say how one is to act, after learning a child, lover ,Mother ,father ETC has been Murdered….Not die But Murdered,

The Cop’s/ Homicide Detectives Need to start doing their Jobs Right and not be lazy and just point the finger Case solved and Closed

Thanks to Jean for coming to our town, and covering this trial so beautifully, and without prejudice. It’s just too bad TruTv allowed local writer Barri Bumgarner to spread her filth, and point unwarranted fingers at innocent people, on live TV with Ashley Banfield. All for the sake of plugging her upcoming book about Steven Rios. Disturbing.

The cop is NOT guilty! From what the neighbor said he heard “I don’t want to go to the car!” coming from the victim’s apartment – it sounds like a “trick” who killed him – not the police officer. Plus, he didn’t have enough time to do the murder, shower off and get home when he did.

Sure – he was leading a double life and has some very neurotic behaviors to deal with – but that alone does not make him guilty of murder.

I hope the jury can see through the homophobia of the Columbia, MO prosecutors.

I believe Steve Rios is not guilty. I watched the whole trial. It’s too bad people have to be judgmental about one’s choice for their lifestyle. Who cares if you are straight, gay, or bi. As long as the person is happy. Be happy that the person is happy.

I cannot believe they convicted Mr. Rios the first time because the evidence shown by the prosecution is weak. Let’s see there is some of Mr. Rios’ DNA found on the hands of the victim and its secondary DNA not primary DNA and it could have been done by contact 5 minutes ago or several days ago. They say Mr. Rios had a clip knife but there is some difference of opinion on rather it was a clip knife of not. They say the victim was choked before his throat was slit and excuse me I know the choke hold they said Mr. Rios was taught in the academy. I learn it both in a self defense class and from friends that were both military and cops, so thats washes their theory that it’s a specialized hold. They must had allowed some hearsay into the first case which lead to conviction. For what it’s worth I would look much closer at the guy now living in California who within days of meeting the victim was introducing him to his folks and going out to bars with him, but swears he wasn’t sexually involved with the victim, that what he might claim publicly but I say he was obcessed witht the victim.

Why did you People interrupt closing arguments of this case , to see OJ being sentence , who Gives a crap about OJ ? You ruined it for us viewers Cause Of OJ …..He is dumb and Stupid.. and 7.5 yrs Plus,is Justice

Wow Lisa, Where on earth did you get the idea that the Columbia Prosecutor was homophobic? Our prosecutor, Mr. Swindle is fighting for the rights of Jesses family, friends, and our good community, along with rights that were taken from Jesse Valencia the night he was murdered. “A TRICK”??? Are you implying that homosexuals are prostitutes as well? That this victim was selling his body? Tsk tsk. I’ll tell you what, if this jury is as closeminded and deaf, as you appear to be, and they let Rios off…You can welcome him into YOUR community with open arms, because we don’t want him.

Jesse Valencia wasn’t the only person Mr Rios propositioned, and took advantage of, with the use of his almighty badge and power. Perhaps you should read up on this case in it’s entirety, before you pass judgements or make ridiculous claims. He didn’t have the time? How much time did he need? They did a drive through. It took 2 minutes to drive from the police station to Valencias home, and 4-6 minutes to drive from Valencias to the Rios home. That’s a max of 8 minutes driving time, IF he did the speed limit. That leaves about twenty minutes to kill a slight of build, young man, who was intoxicated. That’s ALOT of time. GUILTY!!

Gay doesn’t mean guilty in Columbia. The prosecutor is not a homophobe, where would you get that? The neighbor thought he heard something about not going to a car. And what motive could a “trick” have. There was plenty of time, about half an hour. Enough to argue, chase, knock out and cut. No heavy clean up necessary here. The victim was on the ground when his neck was cut. No large bloody scene. He didn’t need to shower before home. He went straight to the bathroom to clean up per his ex-wife’s testimony. The jury will ultimately decide, not us. They have a whole lot more information than we do. Make your own judgements but please don’t downgrade people you don’t know to get to your decision. Missourians are great people. Unless you personally know the prosecutors you shouldn’t call them anything such as homophobes.

Judging by the comments made here, I must be watching a different trial! The Rio’s defense does not stand up to the scrutiny of the prosecution. The evidence is there and this guy (Rio’s) lied badly. I would not have a doubt in my mind if I were a juror of his guilt.

Su- I agree with you about the great trial coverage and about Barri Bumgarner. I felt as though she was just trying to plug her book. I’m not too fond of people that use someone’s death as a way to make money. Not to mention her oh so scientific method of telling whether Rios is lying or not based on his ears turning red. What a joke.

Lisa – I find all of this talk about Rios being on trial because of homophobia by the Columbia Police Department or the Prosecutor’s Office just silly. There were other persons of interest in this case, they too were gay, yet they were not charged because there wasn’t enough evidence to warrant charging them. Furthermore, Columbia is far from being ” the middle of the bible belt” as one person commented.
Columbia has one university and two colleges. You can’t swing a stick without hitting a liberal around here. As a community it is extremely liberal. I should know; I live here. I doubt very seriously that anyone is looking to punish Rios because of his gay love affair with the victim.

Terri D – I would ask you what formal training do you have in Forensic Science or Law Enforcement? Even in viewing the trial coverage you still aren’t seeing all of the testimony because it isn’t being covered non-stop. If this is all you are relying on then you can’t have a fully informed opinion about the case. What’s with you being so quick to rush to judgement about the police department not doing there jobs? Do you know anything about the department or it’s staff? Do you know anything about doing the job of a police officer or detective? I know many of these police officers. They are college educated, intelligent, upstanding and proffessional people. They take great pride in the job they do and care about their community. You shouldn’t be so quick to judge. Try walking a mile in their shoes first and you might gain a better perspective on things.

This “COP” did do this. Jesse was blackmailing Rios and he felt he had only one choice and that was to silence him forever. Before you make up your mind you really should read the facts of the case.

He definitely had motive. Jesse had gone to so far as to go to the police station. Luckily Jesse had the wrong name. Rios had given him another cops name whose name tag had mysteriously disappeared.

Rios checked the dispatch logs twice the morning Jesse was to be found. I think the suspense was killing him. He just wanted it to be over with and that wouldn’t begin to happen till the body was found.

Rio’s DNA was found under Jesse’s nails and 4 hairs from Rio’s were on his body. The boy was found outside in nothing but a pair of shorts. Another boys DNA was found under Jesse’s nails but he just recently met the boy and had no motive to kill him. Rios did have motive!

Also bruising on Jesse’s Body was consistent with a police chokehold taught to Rio’s during his training. Not too many people know how to subdue someone in this manner, yet a man who had ever reason to want Jesse dead just happen to be proficient in this maneuver

Also, I must say that as a resident of Columbia, Missouri for over 12 years this town IS NOT HOMOPHOBIC.

The Blue Code is very much a problem amongst our police force and I truly believe that they did everything they could not to point the finger at one of their own. The first guilty verdict was not because of bad or sloppy police work. This accusation made them look bad yet they still brought him to justice.

I know he didnt do it! If the jury had any common sence they would see that. Look at all the evidence!!! The hairs? come on! They werent tested to Dec and when they got them the box is messed up and looks like it has been opened. The timeline people! Look at the timeline. How can someone have a 5 min arguement, chase someone 350 yards, choke them and kill them drive home and be clean and normal? It doesnt add up.

ok I too am upset about not seeing the rest of closing arguments. But I do not think Barri was spreading filth she was stating her opinion and as the rest of you know that is our right according to the first amendment also a little unsure about the timeline and how Mr Rios managed to do everything in the short amount of time he had. As for the prosecution and police yes they have a tough job but they are human and once you find out things you do like about people you tend believe the worst quicker then the best about someone. You see people that have been wrongly convicted everyday.And to people who watched the interview with Ashley Banfield you also heard the comments from the juror from the first conviction he didn’t even pay attention to the evidence he just looked at a man upset because his whole life had just been turned upside down. And was having a mental moment wouldn’t you be upset if something you were trying to hide was put out there for the whole world to judge.

The only way you would know he didn’t do it was if you were there. Justice is blind but this case is built on one simple principle, the cop has lied at just about everything involving this case. The witnesses keep saying he was doing this, he had that, and now it’s suppossedly some conspiracy against the cop. Maybe if he told the truth he wouldn’t be in this mess.

I think he’s definitely guilty, but the prosecution really hasn’t proven it beyond a reasonable doubt. The state has established that he’s a liar, a philanderer, and a closeted homosexual. He was certainly not what I would call a good police officer. Any man who would cheat on his wife and child by having unprotected sex with anyone…of any sex…is a person without morals and one who is certainly capable of murdering someone to cover up their deceit. This guy is a total sociopath who cannot be trusted.

With all of that being proven by the prosecution and not disputed at all by the defense, let’s look at the other side… the prosecution simply hasn’t proven a thing except what I mentioned above. They’ve got proof he came in contact with the guy and he admits a sexual affair with him. They’ve got absolute proof that Rios ejaculated all over Jesse’s bedroom and on Jesse himself. They’ve got absolute proof that Jesse, at some point, clawed into Rios’ skin…could it have been rough sex or a murder?

They have three people’s DNA on the body…Ed McDevitt, Steve Rios, and the deceased… Knowing the body had not been cleaned up (the defense actually referred to Valencia as being filthy) let’s assume the killer’s DNA, in some form, is on the victim’s body in the form of skin and hair. That means either Ed McDevitt or Steve Rios did it.

I saw Ed McDevitt testify and he didn’t strike me as a killer. A young gay guy in college with a wild libido? Sure. He slept with Jesse the night he met him. We’ve all had our days, right? He lacked any motive to kill Jesse whatsoever…he’s openly gay, had nothing to fear from him other than maybe more sexual trysts and who wouldn’t want that? He was just having sex with a cute guy he met at the bar…lots of people have the same thing happen. McDevitt does not fit the profile of the kind of person who would commit this kind of crime.

Valencia had pleaded not guilty to the ticket that Rios issued him. This put Rios in the position of potentially having to testify in open court against the man he was now sleeping with in a gay adulterous affair. There’s your motive…to stop that from happening. No one has disputed that the victim was outspoken and a guy with a loud mouth…Rios had plenty to fear by an upcoming trial in a municipal court in which he’s very well known…wouldn’t want that guy telling anyone about you coming to his house and propositioning him for gay sex, would you?

By process of elimination, we can surmise that the killer is Rios, as he’s the only one with motive and whose pattern of behavior strongly resembles that of a man who snapped and killed someone.

The state has a moderate case that is highly circumstantial. I think he did it, but as the burden of proof is “beyond a reasonable doubt” I believe that Rios could, indeed walk free on this one. He’s obviously not stable, though, so my hope is that he’d be remanded to the custody of the state for mental health treatment.

Lisa,

If you knew anything about Columbia, you would probably know that is is one of the most liberal areas in the state, very accepting of homosexuals (as acceptance of homosexuals goes).

Also, if you knew anything about this case, you would probably know that it is the jurors who render the judgement, not the prosecutors, regardless of your stunning ability to perceive someone’s homophobia.

I would first like to clear something up the prosecuter is not from Columbia, he is a prosecutor in Cape County who was chosen as a special prosecutor for this case due to the fact that Rios was a Police Officer in Columbia.

Now, I think some people here a failing to think about all of the evidence, it just doesnt seem to me it all points toward Rios. The decison this jury has to make is a life altering decison for many people, not only Rios what about another killer who will walk free. Proof beyond a resonable doubt, that to me is alot. Yes he is guilty of being a liar a cheat and someone that abused his power, but that does not mean he is guilty of Murder. What I have seen on this trail I personally could not convict this man on the evidence the State has shown. I like Mike it just doesnt add up. NOT GUILTY

Ck It out Doug40. I know Cops lie too…There is way to many people being Release for a Crime they “did not ” Commit! Some have been living on DR for 10 to 25 yrs , We sure can’t bring back the innocent that done been put to death for a crime they did not do, Now how sad is that?
knowing you did not do this crime Yet your doing the time cuz Your community found out your a cop and living a double private life. Its No ones business what he did in his private life ….I don’t feel this cop would be humilating himself if he was Guilty, Hell he was placed in a land full of sometimen gay Men He’d be in Heaven there…

Cops Threw OUT the USA are Lazy Eating donut freaks that don’t care to do the job right…. You know it as well as I do, Texas is notorious for it

I’m No Cop loving Person , I do have my Cop friend here in my small town, This Rio’s Is Innocent.

Y’all No what else Its one awesome feeling, to see Your fellow inmate no matter where they are from , Be exonerated for a crime they didn’t do. 10 ,20 35 yrs of ones life has been taken Cuz a Cop didn’t care to do his job and just pointed the finger as , I know he/she did it , Thanks to God & DNA …. alot are Now Free

P’s, Doug I got my training from doing time with The Real Killers Of The California’s Finest….You have to learn how to read gesture of what you are looking at : – P

Su- Good job bringing it to everyone’s attention that it only takes 2 minutes to get from the pd to the victims house and another 4-6 from there to the Rios house. That gives Rios enough time to kill Valencia and get home. On another note, has anyone even considered the possibility that Mrs. Rios is lying about what time he got home that morning? That would give Rios all the time he needed to commit the crime and “clean up”. It wouldn’t be the first time a wife has lied for her spouse. I’m not saying that she is; just something to consider.

For those who say Rios would have been covered with blood – I have medical training and have had many “hands on” experiences with treating injured people with significant arterial bleeding. In all but a very few instances I have not gotten any blood on my clothing at all. The investigators testified that there was really not much blood at the crime scene. I think he could have cut the victim’s neck without getting blood on himself. Particularly if the victim was unconscious when he did it.

Terri D – While I do agree with you that he might be suicidal because everyone just found out about his gay love affair and that he felt his life might be ruined, who really knows what’s in any one persons mind at a given time. It is entirely possible that he was also feeling suicidal because he knew he was guilty and that the police were closing in on him. The prospect of prison for a gay, ex-cop is particularly bad when you consider how the other inmates will treat him. All of these factors could have been repsonsible for his suicidal state of mind. It doesn’t have to be just one reason or the other.

As far as Rios checking the police dispatch calls logs the morning after the murder. He was doing this well before the body was discovered. Considering that he was doing this on his day off is strange. Don’t forget also that all of the other police officers testified that they had never come in on their day off to check the dispatch call logs. These things indicate to me abnormal behavior in Rios and that he had some kind of pre-knowledge of what was to be found or that he was “looking’ for something to have occurred. I think your idea that Rios had some kind of “sixth sense” that his lover was in trouble as his reason for checking the logs is a real stretch.

Besides motive, I think there was some very compelling circumstantial evidence in this case, i.e. the checking dispatch records in the A.M folloing the murder, and the missing clip knife. but I also think there was plenty of evidence or lack of evidence to give the jurors reasonable doubt.

The physical evidence proves nothing, other than Rios was sexually involved with the victim.

It sounds like the victim had multiple sexual partners and a penchant for threatening disclosure to get his way. If so, it could be any one of many who might have murdered him (and left their DNA which was not tested).

I am surprised to hear myself say this, but I am not at all sure Rios committed this murder. I believe there is enough reasonable doubt on this one. I can think of reasons polar to the prosecution’s for why he would not have done this heinous act and also think it just as likely that the roommate of Valencia’s younger lover had a hand in this. Bottom line and the one thing I cannot understand or get past is the lack of blood evidence linking Rios to this crime. Someone had to have disposed of bloody clothes and the weapon. The time line just doesn’t seem to add up to me on this one.

Spider – Just want to get this straight. If I understand you right all I have to do is to get away with murder is throw the murder weapon away and I shouldn’t ever have to worry about being convicted. Thanks for the tip.

However this turns out keep Linda Valencia in your prayers. This has been very hard on her and her daughters. Jesse is buried a short distance from her front door on the family farm. Rios is guilty. And it will be a travesty if he walks. But please join with me and pray for Linda. She needs it more than anything. A mother should never have to go thru this.

It was just announced on our local tv station that Steve Rios was found guilty. I CAN’T BELIEVE THIS CRAP!!!!!

I know people who are gay such as me who will go to extreme measures to hide their true life but that doesn’t include murder. I’ve been in the closet my entire life because of society but I’ve never would consider murder if someone decided to out me. Rios is gay but he cannot accept himself because of friends, family, occupation, religion, ect. I believe he killed this guy because he felt that Jesse would out him and his life (Rios) would be over. It’s a shame that a gay person would have to murder another human just to hide his true identity. For every gay person living a normal life, there’s twelve more hid in the closet and I’m one of them. I’m sorry for the death of Jesse and I’m also sorry for Rios who has caused such sadness for his family and the family of Jesse.

BURN in hell Rios – you deserve what you get.

I Can guarntee you that MY COUSIN Steven Rios DID NOT KILL this man.. Yes my cousin did do wrong by having this affair with a man while married.. but just because he had an affair doesnt make him a murderer… His actions that took place after he became a suspect in the murder case i believe most people would act out also if you thought all of life was about to be taken from you… His carer as a Law Enforcment Officer was over.. I appriciate all of the support from the other viewers that believe my cousin is inocent..

For all who believed Rios to be innocent – The verdict is in. He has been found GUILTY. AGAIN!
Consider This: If your only information about this trial came from watching Court TV’s live coverage you were missing about SEVEN hours of trial testimony per day. The court was in session for about THIRTEEN hours a day. That’s TWENTY ONE hours of testimony that you didn’t even hear. You also missed the closing arguments for both the prosecution and the defense due to Court TV covering the O.J. Simpson sentencing.
Do you really think that you can say your conclusion that Rios should be found innocent is based on a fully informed opinion?
Let me remind you that TWO seperate jurys have heard the evidence against Rios in TWO seperate trials. Both jurys heard ALL of the evidence. Maybe, just maybe they know more about it then you.

Rios is not guilty. These cops looked no where else because they are psst, when they found out he was gay and this does not look for them. I wonder how many closet gays are in that precint. Yes he was having an affair with Jesse but he did not commit this murder. Hey cops, do your job and find the right person, or your precint will be known for not doing a thorough job, shame on all of you, the truth will come out.

I have been watching this trial and there doesn’t seem to be enough evidence to really convict Mr. Rios. I, personally do not feel that he would be guilty but it is not for me to decide

Good read Bryan, I agree with you 100% (unlike the Prosecutors evidence!). I’d have to let him go but I too think he did kill this kid. What a shame.so many lives ruined.

The jury found Steven Rios guilty of second-degree murder and armed criminal action. They deliberated for six hours. After a brief deliberation, the jury recommended life in prison for the murder charge, and an additional 23-year sentence for armed criminal action.

I can’t wait to see this on In Session Monday.

7:00 something this evening he was again convicted with recommendation for life.

I think too many people have their eyes closed and they need to open them. The cop killed this young man from the time line 3-4am. This time period he was off and not at the police station. He was asked and he can’t answer the question of where he was at during this time line. Then the person that lives next door has said about someone fighting in the house between 3-4am. This man tried top lie and hide his private life from the young man an dhis wife. When it was going to come out for other people to know he killed this young boy to protect his job and family. In the long run his got sent to Jail once and now they have sent him again. Bless the family for having to be put though this pain twice and now maybe its all over and he will just stay in jail with no more trials. The familys have been though enough already.

Lots of talk about this case that seems suspect at best.

I was a juror in the original trial and I can say that those who think Rios is innocent didn’t have the access to the evidence that I did as a juror.

If the Rios was innocent, why would he be at the crime scene on his day off? Why would he flee to KC with a loaded weapon threatening to kill himself shortly afterwards? Are these the actions of a man trying to defend himslf against murder allegations?

Why was his DNA all over the victim? Why did he climb to the top floor of a Psych Ward threatening to jump to his death? Because he was NOT a murderer? Doesn’t add up…

It is easier to just admit to an affair (if you had one) and remain solid over a charge of murder? Very flippant behavior by someone who claims he is innocent of such a charge…

Why was it not admitted as testimony in the first trial that he had a pattern of arresting people and letting them off if they gave him sex?

To the fleeing and threatening to jump off the building; is it easier to admit to an affair and deny you were a killer of your lover than to be irratic and run away with a loaded weapon or threaten suicide? It had to be tough to admit to his wife he had an affair – but if you are innocent of a crime like murder why act as irrartional as he did? Did I mention DNA?

Why would the defense not allow any real information about the weapon – and how many cops, EMTs and firefighters use the same type of knife that was allgedly used in the murder? Who knows best how to dipose of a murder weapon?

Why are so many of the Columbia PD testifying against Rios?

Pretty odd behavior for one who cliams innocence.

Just saying, I was part of the first trial – and a retrial based on 35 seconds of testimony that had no bearing on we, the jurors at the time?

wow…

This case is disturbing, this young man left his hometown and everything and anyone who he loved to be free. From what has been reported so that he could be free to be who he was. Do to the fact he wasn’t accepted at his home or hometown, sadly to be murdered by some horrible and cowardly act!!! I still don’t know who murdered this young man, I’m just not convinced the prosecutor has proven Guilt, beyond a reasonable doubt. GOD, help the jurors reach the true verdict, they have a life altering decision for all involved, mainly the victim and community!!!!!!

I am so disappointed in the legal system. Tainted and tampered with evidence should not have been considered. How did one bloody head hair all of a sudden become 8 limb hair in an already opened box? It is my personal opinion that the Columbia Police Department was trying to get rid of a gay officer so they tampered with evidence and did not investigate all involved with the same severity. I wish I had the ability to be as fast as they say Rios was in getting so much done in 15-20 minutes. It takes me an hour to shower and get ready for work. There is a true judgement day that we will all have and will have to answer for our sins. There are a lot of City of Columbia workers and the Columbia press group who kept reporting slanted articles that will have a lot to answer for. I don’t think that Columbia is a place to get a fair trial. I am so glad that I don’t live there anymore. Journalism died in the United States in 2008.

Columbia, MO is a college town and very liberal in their thinking! I have live here 21 years and known very well that this town is not homophobic. We have a gay bars downtown and with the University of Missouri, Columbia College and Stephens we have over 35,000 students. If you do not know the city, do not condemn it. What is presented to you about Rio’s being innocent is just “rant” to strenghen ratings for the network and as of now is guilty for the second time.

Anyone who says that Steven Rios was set up, or that there was some sort of rush to judgment by the force, knows nothing about Columbia P.D. Yes, I believe a “blue wall” exists in every police department, and that why I am confident that they took everything very seriously. We have good cops here, good detectives. They ruled out the others through investigation. Rios is who they came up with, and rightly so. The only homophobia displayed during their investigation, was that of Steven Rios himself. HE was the one making jokes, pointing fingers, etc. His many, many lies is what got him suspect, along with this crazy erratic behavior. (and I’m not talking about the pseudo suicide attempt) We are proud of our towns diversity, and yes it is quite liberal. That doesn’t mean we’re down on our police department and government agencies. It means we are respectful of everyone, and accept the lifestyles, creeds, religions, etc. of others. Steven Rios was looked up to by many, until we found out about all his predatory behavior, and bad policing. So when poeple scream homophobia in this case, trust me, it’s only the outsiders screaming it.

This Cop totally committed this murder…If the entire CPD thinks you did it you did….a duck is a duck…police have an advantage in this…however they could not cover for their fellow officer on this one…so much evidence was struck from the first trial…remember this goon was allready convicted of this murder he committed…I am dating a cop and he said that to even be questioned about the crime is very telling…It’s about keeping yourself as far away from criminal activities…what kinda dumb cop would let himself get in a mess like this…Guilty as Charged

who knows if he did it but for me there is reasonable doubt. too many other possibilities. time line too questionable. not a lot of evidence.

Guilty AGAIN! 24 jurors believe that this man killed Jesse! Unless there is a video of the actual murder taking place and IT DOESN’T SHOW RIOS KILLING him we will have to believe that our justice system may have actually worked this one time!

It wasn’t DNA under the victims fingernails or on the victims shaved chest. It wasn’t the fact that this officer of the law lied repeatedly throughout the investigation. It wasn’t the fact that Rio’s was a homophobe. It wasn’t the bruising on the victims body that matched a submission move taught to law enforcement. It wasn’t the testimony of his fellow officers or of Jesse’s friends. It was the compilation of all of this EVIDENCE that convicted this murderer for the crime he committed. Our justice system isn’t perfect but it definately got it right this time.

Thank you for bringing this sociopath to justice again. I feel for his son and family. This man let his family down when he had such disregard for another’s life. This man chose to kill rather than be honest and face his resposibility. He may have lost his job for having an affair with a person he arrested. His relationship with Jesse was innapropriate. Not because it was a gay relationship but because it put him as an officer in a compromising situation. If it had been a women he had arrested then had sex with the situation would have been just as inapproriate. I even have to wonder if he had been honest at the beginning if he would have gotten a slap on the wrist. It certainly wouldn’t have been front page news. It really doesn’t matter as getting fired is no excuse to kill someone.

The evidence seemd relatively thin in a case where the cop is the most likely killer.

I don’t know the judge, but it might be the relatively rare case where a defendant would be better off with a judge than a jury. It seems like a technical and impartial weighing of the evidence would produce reasonable doubt, but that turning it over to a vagrancies of a jury

Total injustice! Convicted again & I truly believe the case presented didn’t support a conviction. I think this man was convicted because of his sexuality & having been a cop too. They don’t mix obviously. What a shame and a waste of another life. The justice system in this country is sadly out of whack but what can you expect from homophobic people that rely on their emotions instead of evidence. Outcome wouldn’t have been any different if the trial had been held in Texas…

As a teacher and an author, I’m used to having to be thick skinned. But Su, I’m not sure where the hatred of someone you don’t even know comes from. I’ve investigated this case for 3 1/2 years at the provocation of police officer friends, and what I’ve found, in over 200 interviews, has given me ample information to have formed an opinion. I’m not sure how that’s filth. I’ve interviewed almost every single person involved, and regardless of what several of you posting here believe, there is a double standard in Columbia. Yes, they’re open minded to being gay, but mostly for females. I talked to two gay male cops, still deep in the closet, who say they would never come out for fear of repercussions. I’ve also interviewed most of the jurors from the first trial, so I have an insight into the dynamics of the jury room and what led them to a conviction. It’s interesting to read the posts here, how inaccurate many of the facts are, and just how controversial this case is. I’ve not even finished this book, so to say I went on to promote it is ridiculous. A publisher will do that. I think this case speaks for itself, and people interested in it want all the facts, not just those they choose to look at.

There is way too much reasonable doubt…and that is NOT GUILTY.
I hope they continue to pursue the real murderer. Even if Mr. Rios is found not guilty, and double jeopardy applies. they can always come back with a charge of perjury. But I don’t believe he did it.

DId ANY of you actually listen to the evidence presented by the prosecutor! Rios’ hair didn’t fall onto Jesse’s body b/c he was standing near the body. Did any other hair from an officer fall onto Jesse’s body? I believe Rios was only near the body briefly inorder to identify him. What about Rios’ DNA underneath Jesse’s nails; nails that Jesse cleaned meticulously???!!!!! Yet, Rios claims he hadn’t seen Jesse for 6-8 days before Jesse’s untimely death. Rios’ behavior after Jesse’s death isn’t one of an innocent man! IF he was an innocent man concerned about keeping his personal life concealed, then he would have spoken to his boss and the detectives and would have been completely forthcoming and HONEST about EVERYTHING!!!! I am curious if any of you who believe Rios is innocent also believe that OJ Simpson is innocent..

I REALLY DO NOT BELIVE THE COP DID THIS CRIME,TWO MANY THINGS DID NOT ADD UP.BUTT !!! HE IS GUILTY FOR CRIME AGAINST HIS FAMILY

Why wasn’t the issue of “hearsay” ever brought up in the first trial of Rios? What was the judge doing during the testimony, liquid lunch or a nap on the bench? I believe these judges need to start taking responsibility when there is a mistrial, after all, they are presiding over the case. Maybe instead of the tax payers picking up the tab, the judge should shelling out bucks for not paying attention, after all, he makes the big bucks!! There would probably be a lot less mistrials if judges were held accountable when situations like this happen.

He was found guilty 6 hrs after deliberations ……………

I meant to say turning it over to the vagrancies of a jury would be a risk for the defendant. With the guility verdict, it is at least clear that he probably would not have been any worse off with a judge (although it is possible a judge would have found first degree murder – which I think has no possibility of parole — versus second degree murder which has the possibility of parole). The prosecutor in the local paper was quoted s saying he thought Rios’ failure to testify this time (he testified the first time) got him second degree instead of first degree because he was such a lousy witness the first time.

I know the perception was that the people in Columbia (apparently including the police department) generally thought he was guilty.

Innocent people are convicted every day because the jury is lazy and anxious to go home.

FRY HIM, prosecutors and judges are always a little sympathetic to one of their own, no matter how heinous the crime. Cops always, if convicted at all, seem to get less than maximum sentences. In my opinion, being that the police are given such great power and authority, any time an officer is convicted of a crime, no matter how minor, they should automatically receive a maximum sentence.

Come on folks,,,when was the last time you saw a cop that had been charged with a crime at all, much less murder be innocent…Of course he killed this kid and the fact that he was relentless in teasing the one cop that testified about “Hey you boyfriend was killed” spoke volumes to me. Me think he doth protest too much. Like the Aryan Nations animals in our prisons, they hate homosexuals…but the have the larges propensity for rape, sodomy and all manner of sexual crimes against other prisoners…

He did it and hopefully he goes to jail forever…

I watch in session all the time and 95percent of the time I believe they are guilty because of the evidence but this case has so many reasonable doubts it’s unbelieveable that he was found guilty with all the tampering that went on with the evidence and all the lack of investigation in this case of jesse,s other lovers I believe the jurors convicted him on his secret gay affair not the evidence I’m a straight woman and married and don’t believe in cheating but i was shocked when i saw the verdict if theres ever been a case with so much reasonable doubt this takes the cake it’s scary

GUILTY GUILTY GUILTY!!!!

Hello, I just wanted to state that cops like this exist due to situations like we have here in Yakima, Washington. The Yakima City Police are NOT required to take random drugs tests and actually spent thousands of dollars fighting random drug tests. If nobody can Police the Police, situations like this no-good cop will continue to exist! Something needs to be done, they are not Gods, yet they feel they should have the rights of Gods. I must say, the Police Chief here in Yakima fought this the whole way and lost,…his Officers continue to roam the streets, yet we as citizens really have no idea of who these ‘officers’ are, nor is there ANY accountablility for them. Its not right, Its not fair and situations like this continue to happy all over the United States until there is some accountablility.

I thought jurors could take notes during the trial … I am thinking back to the Spector case, the media made comments about the plethora of notes taken by the engineer on the jury.

Is it up to the discretion of the judge, or is bound by the state the trial is taking place in.

Paula – GA

I am always amazed jurors seem to have problems convicting policeman to first degree murder when it is deserved. In this case it sure was. Setting aside his sexual choice, He killed a man. Would I have been so fortunate.I see no differance between Bobby Cuts, & Rios, they are both convicted murderers, just of differant races.

I don’t think Steven Rios commited this murder.
Even though there seems to be some circumstantial evidence, there definitely was not enough to prove his guilt beyond a resonable doubt. The jury should go in assuming his innocence till proven guilty and personally I don’t feel that was the case here.

It suprises me to see people post on here that have no clue what they are saying.Have you been watching the Court room on the Web Like I have. strange that no one thought that something that looked like poison ivy was on the inside of his arm. Are the PD there Drs Did they really take a close look. By the way they never said what type of hairs were found on the Kid. And the DNA under his fingers were more Towards Rios Then the other Person He was involved in. Please Keep your Comments To yourself Unless you have Wached and listened,Those that have should be educated enough to see the truth and those that are just picking out little things and are willing to let Rios go are being very foolish..

I just heard Frish say that the prosecution has the big picture on their side. What ? I thought that by the evidence the jury is to judge whether the prosecution has met the burdon of proof. PROOF being the operative word here. No evidence no Proof not guilty is the only option left to a jury. Or have things changed here in America’s Law’s?

I can’t say if he is guilty or not. I can say that as a resident of a small town in Missouri I am disgusted that some people seem to think that the people living here are so homophobic! For the most part people living here are kind, compassionate, basically nice people. I don’t care what someone else does with their personal lives. I do care that there is this false impression of what the people here are like. Come visit sometime and meet some of the people. Hell as long as you promise to be nice you can stay at my house. Maybe then you would have a better more honest opinion of who we are.

I think that the mother did her oil thing on the porch tring to help her son. Then the son came and set the fire. the mother not knowing her son had done tis thought her oil had started the fire. Who wouldn’t go crazy??????