Podcast Exclusive: “Exclusive Relationship” Dispute Ends in Tragedy; Stephon Dubose Pleads Guilty to Murder of Duke Grad Student
In this week’s episode of True Crime News The Podcast, host Ana Garcia and defense attorney Rachel Fiset dissect the harrowing case of Stephon Dubose, who has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and attempted murder following a brutal 2023 attack in Durham, North Carolina. The episode explores the legal maneuvering behind Dubose’s plea deal, which secures a sentence of 35 to 44 years in prison, sparing him a potential life sentence for the killing of 30-year-old Angela Marina Risi.
Deep Search: A violent escalation
The incident, which took place on the morning of October 2, 2023, began with an argument inside Dubose’s vehicle. According to court documents and family statements discussed in the episode, Dubose demanded an “exclusive relationship” with Risi, a request she definitively rejected. After Risi exited the car and entered her home on Worth Street, Dubose—known to friends as “Jimmy”—forced his way inside.
Investigators revealed that Dubose chased Risi through the house before firing 11 rounds from a 9-millimeter handgun. Risi was struck eight times and died at the scene. In a shocking expansion of violence, Dubose then burst into a bedroom and shot Risi’s roommate three times. The roommate survived but sustained permanent, life-altering disabilities. Roughly 30 minutes after the shooting, police responded to a separate call where they found Dubose stabbing himself in an apparent suicide attempt, telling officers he “couldn’t live anymore” after what he had done.
Background: A rising star silenced
Angela Risi was a second-year graduate student in the Master of Fine Arts in Dance program at Duke University. Originally from San Diego, California, she had previously worked at the University of Chicago before moving to Durham to pursue her artistic passions. Known for her energy and talent, she had befriended Dubose earlier that year; he had even assisted her with her move to the area. The podcast highlights how this trusted proximity made the sudden violence even more devastating for her community and family.
Objections: The strategy behind the plea
Legal analyst Rachel Fiset provides critical insight into the defense’s strategy, noting that the plea to second-degree murder—rather than first-degree—likely hinges on the argument of “heat of passion” versus premeditation. By accepting the plea, the defense successfully avoided a trial that could have resulted in life without parole, capitalizing on the impulsive nature of the crime following the rejection. Conversely, prosecutors secured a guaranteed conviction and a substantial prison term without subjecting the surviving victim and Risi’s family to the trauma of a lengthy trial. Risi’s father, Matteo Risi, expressed that while he will never forgive Dubose, the family accepts the outcome to ensure the killer remains incarcerated for decades.
For a complete breakdown of the investigation and the legal implications of the sentencing, listen to True Crime News The Podcast with Ana Garcia and Rachel Fiset, available wherever you get your podcasts.
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