Trial delayed for Paso Robles man accused of killing man because he was gay
The Paso Robles man accused of killing a San Luis Obispo County man because he was gay won’t go to trial until late this year.
On Wednesday morning, 23-year-old Tyler Stevens, who is charged with the murder of 34-year-old Todd Joseph Pinion, appeared in court for his pre-trial arraignment.
Pinion was reported missing from Atasacdero on Oct. 30, 2024, and his dog, Spock, was found dead at the base of the Cuesta Grade the following morning.
On Nov. 3, 2024, police found Pinion’s body near Tassajara Creek, and Stevens was arrested on suspicion of homicide later that day.
The San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office charged Stevens with murder and animal cruelty charges and hate crime enhancements, a sentencing enhancement related to a prior conviction and use of a deadly weapon, in this case a knife. He pleaded not guilty and denied the enhancements on Dec. 18, 2024.
Now, after spending a total of 501 days in custody during initial court proceedings, Stevens’ trial was postponed again — in large part because the defendant changed attorneys.
At her first appearance in court on Stevens’ defense, Laura Petty thanked deputy district attorney Greg Devitt for providing “a voluminous amount of discovery,” but said she wasn’t ready to set a trial date yet.
Devitt said it will be the people’s request that the defense and prosecution start looking at trial dates during Stevens’ pre-trial conference on May 11, though that date will likely end up being sometime this fall or later.
“Given the seriousness in this case, it’s not fair to Mr. Stevens for that process to be rushed,” Petty said. “I have no intent of seeking to postpone this trial any longer than necessary for me to be fully prepared.”
“With that said, it’s going to take some time for me to be fully prepared,” she continued. “I don’t know that this fall is going to be enough time for that to happen.”
Mother of Todd Pinion urges expediency in murder trial
Before the arraignment started, Devitt informed Todd Pinion’s mother, Melody Pinion, of the upcoming delay.
Pinion, appearing in the gallery with friends and supporters, started crying when she heard that the trial would be delayed.
Following the arraignment, Pinion told The Tribune she was frustrated by another delay, with the trial date now expected to be around two years removed from her son’s death.
“Grief has no timeline, and I want to be able to start the healing process,” Pinion said. “I can’t do that until I know that he is behind bars and will not be ever released or eligible for parole.”
Pinion said she wants justice for her son and described Todd as a trusting, loving man who put others before himself.
But more than anything, Pinion wants her son back, and in the absence of that, she wants the trial to move forward with more urgency, she said.
“I know he has a right, and he’s innocent till proven guilty, but what about my son?” Pinion asked.
In the meantime, Pinion said she’s hoping to place a new memorial near the place Todd was killed, as a previous memorial was removed unexpectedly late last year.
She’s seeking a more permanent replacement and was hoping to get the public’s support via contributions to her Venmo.
This story was originally published March 18, 2026 at 1:38 PM.
