Pinion, 34, was reported missing in late October 2024. Atascadero Police detectives later found his body in a remote area near Tassajara Creek and arrested Stevens. Pinion’s dog, Spock, was found dead at the base of the Cuesta Grade. If convicted of first-degree murder with the hate crime special allegation, Stevens faces life in prison without the possibility of parole, according to reports.

According to the report, the charges also include an enhancement for Stevens’ 2023 conviction for assaulting a peace officer, which adds a strike under California’s Three Strikes Law. Stevens remains held in San Luis Obispo County Jail without bail and is scheduled…. Paso Robles Daily News reported that update: Trial date set for man accused of killing Todd Pinion., A jury trial is set to begin April 12 for Tyler Grant Stevens, the Paso Robles man accused of killing Atascadero resident Todd Joseph Pinion, according to reports.

Stevens, 23, is charged with murder and animal cruelty in Pinion’s death. The San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office has alleged that the killing was committed with a knife and was a hate crime motivated by Pinion’s actual or perceived sexual…. Local man charged with murdering Todd Pinion appears in court.

Original report posted Nov. 7, 2024:. Additional charges against Stevens include a hate crime enhancement, use of a deadly weapon, and felony animal cruelty. The Atascadero Police Department requests anyone with information related to the investigation to call (805) 461-5051.

The news staff of the Paso Robles Daily News wrote or edited this story from local contributors and press releases. The news staff can be reached at info@pasoroblesdailynews.com. Reports differed on the location.

Estimates indicated that san Luis Obispo County Superior Court Judge Crystal Seiler set the trial date Monday. A pretrial conference is scheduled for Dec. 7, and a readiness conference is set for April 9. The trial is expected to run half days in the afternoons….

Powered by SLOpulse