David Stevenson

Case overview

David Stevenson was sentenced to death on February 3, 2006. He was convicted for the murder of Kristopher Heath, and the murder occurred on the same morning that Heath was to testify against Stevenson at his criminal trial.

Identity and background

David D. Stevenson was born on 06/06/1974. He was identified as Black and male.

In 1994, Stevenson was employed by Macy's Department Store in the Christiana Mall.

The offence

In 1994, while employed at Macy's, Stevenson used customers' creditcard information to issue false gift certificates.

On the morning of November 13, 1995, Kristopher Heath was murdered in the parking lot of his residence at the Cavalier Country Club Apartments. Heath was shot in the back five times with a nine-millimeter handgun.

The murder occurred on the same morning that Heath was to testify against Stevenson at his criminal trial.

Investigation

Macy's security department employees Parminder Chona (“Chona”) and Kristopher Heath (“Heath”) investigated the matter involving false gift certificates issued using customers' creditcard information.

Following the investigation, Stevenson was charged with theft and the matter was scheduled for trial in the Superior Court.

Events at Heath’s residence

On the evening prior to Stevenson’s scheduled court date, a black male wearing a long puffy black jacket knocked on the door to Heath’s residence. Heath’s fiancée, Deborah Dorsey, answered.

Deborah Dorsey told the male that Heath was not home, and the individual departed.

Deborah Dorsey called Heath to tell him about the incident and that she was frightened. She also noted that the individual was not Stevenson, as she would have recognized him from her employment at Macy's.

Shooting and immediate aftermath

Upon hearing the gunfire, several residents at the apartment complex called the police.

One resident, Lance Thompson, informed the police that he observed a black male run to and enter a mid-sized blue vehicle with faded and peeling paint. Thompson saw the license plate number and gave it to the police.

At this time, Patrolman Daniel Meadows of the New Castle County Police broadcast the license plate number and vehicle description over the police radio.

Arrest and custody

It was soon discovered that the license plate was registered to Stevenson and his mother at 206 West 20 Street in Wilmington, Delaware.

Wilmington Police arrived in two squad cars at 206 W. 20th Street. The officers saw a car fitting the description given by Meadows arrive at the same time with two black men inside.

The passengers started to exit the vehicle but reentered after observing the approaching officers. The suspects drove away with the patrol cars in pursuit.

After a short chase, the suspects fled on foot and were taken into custody.

The occupants of the vehicle were Manley and Stevenson. Manley matched the description of the shooter given by many eyewitnesses.

Searches and seized information

After Stevenson was apprehended and brought to police headquarters, police searched the patrol car used to transport him.

On the floor was a slip of paper with the name, address and phone number of Chona, the other Macy's employee who investigated Stevenson for the theft along with Heath.

Trial and sentencing

Stevenson was sentenced to death on February 3, 2006.

Appeals

The Supreme Court of the State of Delaware opinion 214-2000 opinion 75/82-2006 was involved. The United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit also had involvement, listed as opinion 05-1088.