Benton County Man Sentenced to 16 Years for 1998 Murder
He told his husband 10 years ago that he’d killed someone, court documents say
On the surface, Timothy Stephenson had an enviable life. He was married to a doctor, and they lived in a luxurious home with their twin daughters in a quiet suburb east of San Francisco. But Stephenson’s picture-perfect life was shattered when his dark past caught up with him. He was recently sentenced to 16 years in prison for a murder he committed over two decades ago.
The crime had remained unsolved until 2021 when new information led authorities to Stephenson. His personal life had already been unraveling with a pending divorce and a custody battle over their children. It was during this turmoil that the truth finally emerged.
The Night That Changed Everything
The events unfolded when Stephenson met a man named Randall Oliphant at a bar in Kansas City in January 1998. They later drove to Stephenson’s house, where he fatally shot Oliphant in the bathroom. In a chilling confession to his husband, Joseph Ginejko, Stephenson admitted to the murder. Oliphant pleaded for his life after the first shot, but Stephenson remained resolute. The confession, made 10 years after the crime, marks the turning point in Stephenson’s dark secret.
Covering His Tracks
To conceal the evidence, Stephenson confessed to remodeling the bathroom. He also sold his Jeep Wrangler, which had traces of blood in the rear cargo area. However, Stephenson managed to avoid suspicion until recently, despite investigations in 1998.
A Revelation from the Estranged Husband
Years later, Joseph Ginejko finally came forward to the police, disclosing the details of the murder that had remained undisclosed until that point. This newfound information sparked an undercover operation between Stephenson and Ginejko.
During their conversation, Ginejko confronted Stephenson about the confession from years ago. Stephenson’s demeanor changed abruptly, and he even checked Ginejko for recording devices. Although Stephenson initially claimed he made the confession to keep his husband from leaving, he later admitted to the crime, putting an end to the long-standing mystery.
Justice Finally Served
Following his guilty plea, Stephenson was sentenced to 16 years in prison, taking into account the time he had already served. The closure finally came for the friends and family of Randall Oliphant, who had long awaited justice for his untimely death.
