A Colorado man who was charged with beating his fiancée to death in front of in-house surveillance cameras has pled guilty, but only to second-degree assault. Prosecutors in Arapahoe County say they would have struggled to provide the original case of second-degree murder because they couldn’t prove that defendant Matthew Ivester, 38, knew his acts would kill Stephanie Long, 36.
According to the plea agreement filed on Thursday, he will serve ten years in prison, three years on parole, and must undergo domestic violence counseling. “After reviewing this case filing, we could not prove the defendant intended to cause her death, which is why we did not charge him with first-degree murder,” Eric Ross, spokesman for the District Attorney of the 18th Judicial District, told Law&Crime in an email.
“Had this case gone to trial, we also recognized there would likely be some difficulties in proving the defendant knew his conduct would result in death, which is the standard (burden of proof) for second-degree murder.”
Prosecutors dismissed the murder charge, along with two counts of first-degree assault, one count of second-degree assault, one count of third-degree assault, and one case of harassment.
Sheriff’s officers earlier stated that on September 17, 2023, Ivester slapped Long and placed his hand on her throat while unaware that security cameras were in place at home. She complained about her head hurting, and when she tried to call 911, he snatched the phone from her hand and stopped her when it looked like she was attempting to flee through the front door, according to records.
Ivester provided several accounts of what transpired. According to investigators, he blamed her drinking, possible cocaine use, and attack on him. He also claimed that he slapped her to wake her up after she stopped breathing, but details of his story changed, including the source of the couple’s argument (allegedly some corn falling from the refrigerator), where Long allegedly stood when she allegedly headbutted Ivester and specifics about their physical contact.
“He may have struck her today, but he cannot remember,” the document read. “He isn’t proud of it, but he has gotten physical with Stephanie in the past. She has also been physical with him in the past. He has placed his palm over her mouth to prevent her from yelling while attacking him.”
However, investigators said they discovered video evidence inside the residence showing the couple yelling at each other and calling each other names on the day of the event, with the argument becoming violent at around 5:11 p.m. According to the affidavits, Ivester smacked Long twice over the head with what seemed to be a couch pillow. Ivester allegedly grabbed her by the throat and asked why she was screaming. Authorities stated he let go of her throat but resumed forcefully shaking her.
When Long asked about the cameras in the room, Ivester indicated they weren’t filming, according to papers. Investigators reported that he shook her again, smacked her numerous times, and placed a hand on her throat while Long sat on the couch until 5:23 p.m.
“At one point she does stand up and appears unsteady on her feet and starts to walk around,” the cops stated. “It does appear she is bleeding from her mouth.”
Long reported that her head hurt and attempted to call 911 using Google. Deputies stated that Ivester said it was impossible, but he did not contact 911 on her behalf.
He allegedly stole a phone from her hand.
“She also asks him to stop hitting her,” they added. “She also tried to possibly walk out the front door, but Matthew stopped her.”
Prosecutors now contend that detectives discovered that Ivester sought to save Long’s life and phoned 911.
“These facts were also taken into consideration,” Ross wrote in Law&Crime. “This plea agreement eliminates future delays and potential hazards involved with a trial, while also guaranteeing the offender spends time in the Department of Corrections. The plea deal involves a prison sentence, obligatory parole, and reparations. Restitution will be mentioned during the future sentencing hearing.
Sentencing is scheduled for October 25.