Less than 24 hours after finding Charles R. “Steve” Stephenson guilty of murder and robbery, the jury recommended he be sentenced to life without parole.

Stephenson, 59, Walton, Ky., was charged with Leigh Jennings' March 29, 2012, murder at her Aurora home on Aspen Ridge, and with robbery, a Class A Felony. The 12-member jury returned a guilty verdict on both counts at nearly 9:30 p.m. Monday, May 20, after over seven hours of deliberation.

Tuesday, May 21, the trial in Dearborn Circuit Court, Lawrenceburg, resumed with a second, sentencing phase. Stephenson's children both testified to close relationships with their dad and a “wonderful” childhood.

“I never wanted for anything,” said daughter Sarah Stephenson, 23, Chicago, Ill. An actress, she said her dad accompanied her to dance lessons, recitals and rehearsals when she was a youth, spending Saturdays and many weekday evenings with her.