The Mind of a Murderer
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Who was Stephen Stanko and what crimes did he commit?
My name's William Pierce. I'm a lieutenant in charge of criminal investigations at the Georgetown County Sheriff's Office. The mother, she was savagely beaten. She was bound. The daughter was raped and her throat was cut twice. She was left for dead. There was blood spatter. It was the most brutal crime scene that I've been to in my 15 years.
I know that I'm not a person to hurt anybody. I never would have hurt anybody on purpose, never.
Steven Stanko is highly intelligent. He has an IQ recently tested at 143.
He looks like the guy next door. You know, he could be your next door neighbor. He could be your college professor. He could be anything he wanted to be.
He's smart. He's manipulative. He's beguiling. And he's dangerous.
What does the forensic evidence reveal about Stephen Stanko's brain and behavior?
Steven Stanko's brain function was highly unusual. He had areas of the brain that were not as active compared to other parts of the brain.
Based on his brain structure, he operates right on the edge of insanity all of the time.
We can see, particularly right here, he's less functional as compared to a normal brain. It's science.
That's the one thing that I have on my side.
Just because your ability to control your impulses is less than mine, That's no defense.
He's a smooth talker. He's a smart man. I mean, basically, Stephen Stanko is a con artist.
You are mentally ill? Yes, sir. Are you insane?
Oh, God, please hurry.
Help me. Help me. Help me.
Murder on his mind 48 hours mystery.
I now call the case of the state of South Carolina versus Steven see stanko count one murder. Count two, assault and battery with intent to kill. Count three, criminal sexual conduct.
Count four, kidnapping.
Count five, kidnapping. Count six, armed robbery.
It is the summer of 2006 in what is known as Lowcountry, South Carolina, just north of Charleston.
This is Tuesday, August 8th in Georgetown County. The trial of Stephen Stanko started yesterday morning with...
For a change, it's not the heat everyone is talking about.
There are 120 witnesses in this case. It's expected to continue for the next two weeks.
It's the havoc one man wreaked on this small coastal community.
I believe even crazed rabbit animals have to be put down. I don't see where there's any difference in this case.
A person who is convicted of or pleads guilty to murder must be punished by death or by imprisonment for life.
This is the county's first death penalty case in nearly a decade. On trial is Stephen Stanko, who stands accused of committing some of the most heinous and brutal crimes in Georgetown in recent memory.
I never in the world meant to hurt anybody. It's like there's two of me. I never would have hurt anybody on purpose, never.
I can say this, Stephen Stanko is a remarkable liar.
Mr. Solicitor, you may proceed.
County Prosecutor Greg Hembree. He is a cold-blooded killer. He has no remorse. He doesn't care about anybody but Stephen Stanko.
It's hard to believe that Hembree is talking about the same highly intelligent, seemingly polite 38-year-old.
You excelled in school. Yes, sir. In the yearbook, you were described as the all-American boy. Yes, sir. You were the golden boy. Something like that.
Yes, sir. There wasn't too much I couldn't do.
What happened during the attack on Laura Ling and her daughter?
Friends say it was that quiet confidence and intelligence that first attracted 43-year-old Laura Ling to Stephen Stanko when they met in the fall of 2004.
I hadn't seen her that happy in years, and it felt good to see her happy.
Victoria Loy is Laura Ling's sister.
And he seemed just so pleasant and solicitous and just attentive to her and just so normal.
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Chapters
8 chapters
1
Who was Stephen Stanko and what crimes did he commit?
1:03–2:21
2
What does the forensic evidence reveal about Stephen Stanko's brain and behavior?
2:21–5:35
3
What happened during the attack on Laura Ling and her daughter?
5:35–9:14
4
How did Stephen Stanko evade capture and what led to his arrest?
9:14–12:49
5
What was Stephen Stanko's personality and history with other victims?
12:49–13:18
6
How did Stephen Stanko manipulate those around him?
13:18
7
What details emerged during Stephen Stanko’s trial?
11:29–16:50
8
What new medical evidence was presented in the trial regarding Stanko's brain?
16:50–43:26
Speakers
23 identified
Narrator 13 min
Stephen Stanko 4 min
Forensic Expert 3 min
Prosecutor 3 min
Elizabeth McClendon 2 min
Unidentified Speaker 2 2 min
Defense Attorney Linda Parisi 2 min
Laura Ling's Daughter 2 min
Lieutenant William Pierce 2 min
Chris Ling 1 min
Witness 1 min
Morgan Absher
Kaylin Moore
Dana Laurie Putnam
Judge
Juror Aaron Ellis
Courtroom Observer
News Reporter
Victoria Loy
Ryan Reynolds
Unidentified Speaker 3
Narration Intro
Victim Voice