Former Texas Sheriff Sentenced for Killing Ex-Wife, Stepdaughter and Her Boyfriend

A former Texas sheriff’s deputy was on September 13 sentenced to life without parole after he pleaded guilty to killing his ex-wife, stepdaughter, and his stepdaughter’s boyfriend. According to The Associated Press, Stephen Broderick, 42, faced the possibility of being sentenced to death. But prosecutors dropped the death penalty after he reached a plea deal.

Broderick was arrested and charged for the 2021 killings of his 35-year-old ex-wife Amanda Broderick, stepdaughter Alyssa Broderick, 17, and her boyfriend Willie Simmons III, 18. The convicted man allegedly ran his vehicle into his ex-wife’s vehicle before fatally shooting the three occupants.

Broderick’s son was said to be around when he killed the victims. He, however, did not open fire on him. At the time of the triple murder, Broderick had also been released on bond after he was charged with sexually assaulting a minor. He was relieved of his duties because of that charge.

And though Broderick initially wore a GPS tracking device, District Judge Karen Sage ordered for the device to be removed five months after he was released from custody, per the Austin American-Statesman.

The sexual assault charge that was brought against Broderick was, however, dropped after he reached the plea agreement with prosecutors. But the family of Amanda and Alyssa Broderick argued that the dismissal of the charge meant that the sexual assault victim wasn’t going to get justice.

Prosecutors said they weren’t sure they could fully pursue the sexual assault case because the victim was deceased, The Associated Press reported. Alyssa was the victim Broderick is accused of sexually assaulting.

“I wish I could bring you justice,” Sage said in reference to the dismissal of that charge when he handed out the sentence. 

“But the truth is, the loss you’re suffering, there’s nothing I can do to make that loss go away. It’s the best we can do in the system we have, and it’s never enough. My heart goes out to you. Three beautiful, wonderful people — I see their lives shine on through all of you. I hope that at some point you can find some peace.”