advertisement

Ex-deputy gets life for killing ex-wife, stepdaughter, man

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - A former Texas sheriff's deputy has been sentenced to life imprisonment without parole for killing his ex-wife, teenage stepdaughter and the stepdaughter's boyfriend.

Former Travis County sheriff's deputy Stephen Broderick, 42, was automatically sentenced after pleading guilty to capital murder Tuesday in Austin in the 2021 deaths of ex-wife Amanda Broderick, 35; stepdaughter Alyssa Broderick, 17; and Willie Simmons III, 18. Broderick rammed his vehicle into his ex-wife's house and shot dead all three people inside.

Prosecutors set aside a possible death penalty in exchange for the guilty plea.

The ex-deputy killed the three during a custody visit with his son, whom he didn't shoot. Stephen Broderick was free on bond at the time of the shooting after being charged the year before with the sexual assault of a child and losing his job as a result.

Stephen Broderick was ordered to wear a GPS tracking device, but state District Judge Karen Sage ordered the removal of the device five months after his release, the Austin American-Statesman reported. Prosecutors dropped the sexual assault charge as part of Broderick's plea deal. Amanda and Alyssa Broderick's family said the dismissal denied justice to Alyssa, who was the victim of the sexual assault.

But prosecutors said they doubted they could obtain a conviction on the charge because the victim was dead.

Sage, who passed the sentence on Broderick, expressed sympathy with their anger.

'œI wish I could bring you justice,'ť Sage said. 'œBut the truth is, the loss you're suffering, there's nothing I can do to make that loss go away. It's the best we can do in the system we have, and it's never enough. My heart goes out to you. Three beautiful, wonderful people - I see their lives shine on through all of you. I hope that at some point you can find some peace.'ť

Charlene Ramirez makes a statement to the court at the sentencing of her daughter and granddaughter's murderer, Stephen Broderick, in the 299th District Court in Austin, Texas, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022. Former Travis County sheriff's deputy Broderick, 42, was automatically sentenced to life imprisonment without parole after pleading guilty to capital murder Tuesday in Austin in the 2021 deaths of ex-wife Amanda Broderick, 35; stepdaughter Alyssa Broderick, 17; and Willie Simmons III, 18. (Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman via AP) The Associated Press
Edward Ramirez makes a statement to the court at the sentencing of his daughter and granddaughter's murderer, Stephen Broderick, in the 299th District Court in Austin, Texas, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022. Former Travis County sheriff's deputy Stephen Broderick, 42, was automatically sentenced to life imprisonment without parole after pleading guilty to capital murder Tuesday in Austin in the 2021 deaths of ex-wife Amanda Broderick, 35; stepdaughter Alyssa Broderick, 17; and Willie Simmons III, 18. (Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman via AP) The Associated Press
299th District Court Judge Karen Sage asks defendant Stephen Broderick for his plea as to the murder charges before him, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022, in Austin, Texas. Former Travis County sheriff's deputy Stephen Broderick, 42, was automatically sentenced to life imprisonment without parole after pleading guilty to capital murder Tuesday in Austin in the 2021 deaths of ex-wife Amanda Broderick, 35; stepdaughter Alyssa Broderick, 17; and Willie Simmons III, 18. (Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman via AP) The Associated Press
Willie Moses Simmons Jr., father of Willie Simmons III, makes a statement to the court at the sentencing of his son's murderer, Stephen Broderick, in the 299th District Court in Austin, Texas, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022. The former Texas sheriff's deputy Broderick was sentenced to life in prison without possibility of parole. (Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman via AP) The Associated Press
Vanessa Penson, mother of Willie Simmons III, makes a statement to the court at the sentencing of her son's murderer, Stephen Broderick, in the 299th District court room in Austin, Texas, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022. The former Travis County sheriff's deputy Broderick was automatically sentenced to life imprisonment without parole after pleading guilty to capital murder Tuesday in the deaths of 35-year-old ex-wife Amanda Broderick, 17-year-old stepdaughter Alyssa Broderick and the stepdaughter's boyfriend Willie Simmons III. (Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman via AP) The Associated Press
Stephen Broderick sits in the 299th District Courtroom to plead guilty and receive a sentence for the 2021 murder of his ex-wife, Amanda Broderick, teenage stepdaughter Alyssa Broderick and his stepdaughter's boyfriend, Willie Simmons III, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022, in Austin, Texas. The former Texas sheriff's deputy Broderick was sentenced to life in prison without possibility of parole. (Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman via AP) The Associated Press
Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.