Defense attorneys working to keep him from facing a possible death penalty say Stepp, an Iraq war veteran, used painkillers and alcohol as a way to treat post-traumatic stress disorder.
RALEIGH, N.C. — After the testimony of several mental health professionals Thursday, the defense rested in the murder trial of Joshua Stepp.
Stepp, 28, is charged with the first-degree murder of his 10-month-old stepdaughter in November 2009. He has admitted to beating, shaking and slamming Cheyenne Yarley into the carpet when she wouldn’t stop crying, but says he doesn’t know why he did it.
He testified Tuesday that he was drunk and high on prescription painkillers at the time and can remember only “the most intense” parts of that night.
