Reds outfielder Dernell Stenson shot to death; three charged in case

Jet, Dec 1, 2003

Cincinnati Reds' outfielder Dernell Stenson recently was kidnapped in the robbery of his SUV; he was shot when he attempted to escape from his vehicle and then run over, police said.

Stenson, 25, who was in the Arizona Fall League, was found dead in the Phoenix suburb of Chandler after a night out with friends.

The outfielder made his major-league debut this season and played 37 games for the Reds. He hit .247 with three home runs and 13 RBI.

Reginald Riddle, 19, and David Griffith, 20, were charged with first-degree murder, robbery and kidnapping in the death of Stenson. Kevin Riddle, 43, Reginald Riddle's half-brother, was charged with theft, hindering prosecution and attempted hindering prosecution. A fourth suspect in the case, Robert Maye, was being held on suspicion of hindering prosecution at JET press time.

According to court records, Maye told police he was with his cousin Kevin Riddle when Riddle received a phone call from Griffith the day Stenson was found dead.

The court records state Maye and Riddle met Griffith and Reginald Riddle at an apartment where Maye told police he found Griffith wearing only one shoe and the other shoe was found in Stenson's SUV; Kevin Riddle was later arrested driving the vehicle.

Maye, 32, rented a motel room for Reginald Riddle, but after Maye talked with police, he led authorities to an apartment where he had previously taken Reginald Riddle, the records say.

Reginald Riddle was arrested there and later admitted involvement in Stenson's death.

Chandler police believe the motive for Stenson's death was robbery of the vehicle, said Chandler police spokesman Sgt. Mark Franzen. Police said Stenson's hands were bound during the robbery and there was an apparent struggle in his vehicle.

Police aren't calling the crime a carjacking because it hasn't been established that Stenson was in the vehicle when it was stolen, Franzen said. Stensan was buried Nov. 10 in his hometown of LaGrange, GA.