Whidbey News-Times, June 20, 2012

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News-Times Whidbey

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 20, 2012 | Vol. 113, No. 49 | www.whidbeynewstimes.com | 75¢

SPORTS: Where are they now. A9.

School’s out for summer By REBECCA OLSON Staff reporter

prosecutor, a corrections officer, a detective, the victim’s aunt and even the judge choked up while speaking about the case. The defense attorney and a Department of Corrections report, on the other hand, offered some sad insight into a man capable of such monstrous acts. Stephenson was convicted of rape in the first degree and assault of a child in the first degree during a haunting and disturbing trial last month. Stephenson raped his girlfriend’s 21-month-old child last year and caused such horrific injuries that she had to undergo emergency surgery and could have died from blood loss. After the rape, he stuffed the child in a backpack and repeatedly kicked her

As the school year neared its end and students got antsy for summer vacation, elementary school students got the chance to expend some of that energy with fun outdoor activities. Last week, elementary schools in Oak Harbor and Coupeville held their annual field days, which provided time to laugh with friends before summer vacation. At Hillcrest Elementary School, students ran outside to enjoy a host of activities June 13. Near the school was a wet zone where kids lined up to wade barefoot in soapy swimming pools, racing to pick items out of the water with their toes. Another aqueous activity was sponge races, in which students dashed to wring wet sponges into buckets and be the first to fill their bucket with water. In the field, groups of students grabbed miniature parachutes and flipped toys high into the air. Other students fell laughing into the grass in three-way tug of war matches. Obstacle courses and hurdles gave students some exercise, while a “noodle” war left kids giggling and victorious after chasing each other with the long, thin foam toys. Over it all, music played and students and volunteer adults alike danced along, adding to the festivities of another school year coming to a close. Students at Coupeville Elementary School also enjoyed a field day last Thursday. Students took turns sack racing, racing

See sentence, A4

See school, A4

Jessie Stensland/Whidbey News-Times

Ryan Stephenson, 27, awaits his sentencing. Judge Alan Hancock gave him an exceptional sentence of 60 years to life in prison for heinous crimes against a child.

Stephenson gets 60 years for ‘fiendish’ and ‘satanic’ acts By JESSIE STENSLAND Staff reporter

Rebecca Olson/Whidbey News-Times

Above: Gabrielle Godwin pulls for the win against Shelby Lang and Zandra Manuel in a three-way tug of war match that left the girls giggling. Nathan Whalen/Whidbey News-Times

Left: First-graders from Kathy Bayne’s class at Coupeville Elementary School use a fire hose to move a ball. Pictured are Alex Hutson, Kevin Partida, Wynter Arndt and Hope Sinclair.

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The man responsible for what a judge characterized as “some of the most fiendish acts in the history of this county or anywhere” may never be free again. During a hearing Friday, Island County Superior Court Judge Alan Hancock handed 27-year-old Ryan Stephenson of Oak Harbor an indeterminate sentence of 60 years to life in prison, which was years beyond what either the prosecutor or a Department of Corrections officer recommended. “He subjected this little person to some of the most heinous, savage and satanic acts of rape and assault that anyone has ever experienced,” Hancock said, emphasizing “satanic.” Emotions were raw in the courtroom. The deputy


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