Paso Robles man accused of killing man because he was gay enters plea
The Paso Robles man accused of killing a man because he was gay pleaded not guilty Wednesday.
Tyler Stevens, 21, was charged with the murder of 34-year-old Todd Joseph Pinion, who went missing from Atascadero on Oct. 30. Pinion’s dog, Spock, was found dead at the base of the Cuesta Grade the following morning.
Police found Pinion’s body on Nov. 3 in a remote area near Tassajara Creek. Stevens was arrested on suspicion of homicide later that day and was being held in San Luis Obispo County Jail without bail.
During his arraignment on Wednesday, Stevens pleaded not guilty to murder and animal cruelty charges.
He also denied two sentencing enhancements to the murder charge — one for a hate crime and another for using a deadly weapon, in this case a knife.
The charges against Stevens also carry a sentencing enhancement related to Stevens’ 2023 conviction for assault on a peace officer with a deadly weapon, giving him one strike under California’s Three Strikes Law.
Under the Three Strikes Law, anyone convicted of a felony after one prior conviction of a serious or violent felony can be sentenced to prison for twice as long as a normal. A third-time offender faces a minimum sentence of 25 years to life in prison.
The next court hearing was scheduled for Jan. 22.
Family, friends attend court to support victim’s mother
Around 20 people attended Stevens’ arraignment in support of Pinion’s family. All were wearing rainbow heart stickers and wristbands that read “#JusticeforTodd” and “Spock.”
Pinion’s mother, Melody Pinion, told The Tribune all the support she’s received from Pinion’s friends and her’s have helped her get through and will help her continue through her grief and the court process.
Seeing the man accused of killing her son in court Wednesday was harder than the first time, she said.
“The first time, I think I was in shock. I don’t think I breathed this time,” she said. “I think it’s becoming more surreal for me.”
When Stevens first walked out, she said she reached for the hand of Kristi Myrick, her close friend of 30 years.
“I just hung on and started crying,” Melody Pinion said.
Leaving the courtroom, she and some other supporters burst into tears and they hugged one another in the hallway.
“I expected a not guilty plea. That was just to be expected, but at least we finally have a plea, and then we’re finally moving forward,” she told The Tribune. “But it was tough today, more so than I had imagined.”
Memorial erected near where victim’s body was found
At the beginning of Tassajara Creek Road near the top of the Cuesta Grade, a new memorial commemorating the lives of Pinion and Spock can be seen.
It’s a rainbow cross supported by one of Pinion’s walking sticks with “Todd Pinion” on the horizontal and “Spock” on the vertical with hearts replacing the letter “O” in sparkling silver font.
Jennifer Del Rio, Myrick’s cousin, helped lead the design of the memorial, but said it was a collaboration with Melody Pinion and Myrick. She said they incorporated paint found inside Pinion’s car and items to make dreamcatchers, like peacock feathers, since that was one of his favorite hobbies.
She told The Tribune she hopes the memorial will help people always remember Pinion and the legacy he left behind, and to keep the community aware as the criminal case continues.
In the meantime, Myrick has helped organize some fundraising to help Melody Pinion, and other members of the Pinion family, with travel expenses. His mother and sister both live in Oklahoma.
Direct donations can be sent to a Mealtrain fundraiser, which had raised $9,015 out of its $20,000 goal as of Wednesday morning. To donate, visit mealtrain.com/trains/dddmd4.
One of Todd’s friends since high school also designed “#JusticeforTodd” wristbands, window clings and magnets to sell. Wristbands are $5 while the window clings and magnets are $10. All proceeds will go to Pinion’s family, Myrick said.
To purchase, people can visit Red Scooter Deli or the Derby Wine Estates’ tasting room, both in Paso Robles.
Items can also be purchased from Myrick directly via Facebook, she said. Her profile can be found at facebook.com/kristi.myrick.7.
Mother of slain son hopes to heal through holidays
Staying in San Luis Obispo County has helped Melody Pinion keep busy as she adjusts to life without her son.
She’s been going through Pinion’s items, meeting with friends, organizing memorials and attending court.
This week, she returns to Oklahoma to spend the holidays with her mother and daughter. They still haven’t decorated for Christmas.
“I haven’t really been trying to think too much of it,” Melody said. “I know when I go home it’s going to be harder. It’s going to set in a little bit more.”
She ordered custom ornaments with Pinion’s photo, and an ornament of a bell with angel wings that has her son’s name, date of birth and date of death.
“We’ll maybe put them on the tree and just try to get through the holidays and get back here so I can, you know, continue doing what I need to do,” she said.
She said one thing that has helped pick up her spirits was hearing from people who were positively impacted by her son.
For now, she’s practicing a lesson her son taught her: Patience.
“I want it to get easier and and they say it gets easier, but over time. So we’ll see how long that takes,” she said. “A mother should never have to do this.”
This story was originally published December 18, 2024 at 10:14 AM.
