March 19, 2000 started out like any other day in Krystal Steadman's life. The ending of the day, however, would never come for her. She was playing with neighborhood kids, including a 19 year old neighber, nicknamed TJ, a young man well knwon and trusted to the neighborhood, according to her playmates. After 2 pm, when she failed to check in with her mother, as she always did, her mother and a friend went to search for her. What they found was the small child's coat on a truck and her bike under a car port. She went and knocked on the door of her neighbor, TJ, who said he hadnt seen her. They went back once again this afternoon, searching the rooms, except for one, where TJ's uncle was supposedly sleeping, not finding Krystal. When they knocked a third time, no one was home. TJ was seen by witnesses carrying a large box out to his father's car, which, according to other witnesses, he later threw off a cliff onto highway 50. Krystal's body was found the next day off of Highway 50. Her tiny throat had been slashed and she had been sexually assulted. Knife punctures were found on her head, and arms. Defense wounds were found on her hands. TJ, whose real name was Thomas Soria Jr, was arrested a few days later after blood on his boots and his car belonging to Krystal. His father, Thomas Soria Sr, was arrested 9 days later.
TJ agreed to testifiy against his father, with the catch the prosecuters would not seek the death penalty. He was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parol.
His father was convicted in Krystal's muder. He commited suicide (drug overdose) while in jail awaiting sentencing. Read the rest of Krystal's story by clicking here. |
