Convictions Overturned: Saginaw Man Once Found Guilty of Killing Mother, Sister to Face New Trial
SAGINAW, MI — A Saginaw man previously convicted of the brutal 2014 murders of his mother and younger sister will receive a new trial after the Michigan Court of Appeals overturned his convictions, citing a series of legal missteps that deprived him of a fair trial.
Stephon L. Roby, who represented himself during the original proceedings, was found guilty by a jury and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the double-homicide of his mother, 52-year-old Kimberly Roby, and his 16-year-old sister, Kayla Roby. The bodies of both women were discovered in their Saginaw home in what investigators described as a violent crime scene that shook the community.
However, a decade after his conviction, a three-judge panel with the Michigan Court of Appeals issued a 20-page opinion in June 2025 vacating Roby’s convictions. The panel determined that “cumulative errors” during the original trial — including critical failures related to Roby’s decision to act as his own attorney — violated his right to a fair trial.
A Troubled Trial Now Under Scrutiny
The appeals court found that while defendants have a constitutional right to represent themselves, the trial court failed to ensure Roby was fully aware of the risks and legal standards associated with self-representation. In its ruling, the court highlighted that Roby lacked the legal knowledge and ability to adequately defend himself against such serious charges.
The appellate opinion also cited improper handling of evidentiary matters, inadequate jury instructions, and procedural missteps that collectively undermined the integrity of the trial. “The cumulative errors deprived the defendant of a fair trial,” the judges wrote, stressing that the justice system must uphold not just the outcome, but the process itself.
Awaiting Retrial
As a result of the ruling, Roby has been transferred from prison back to the Saginaw County Jail, where he is currently being held while awaiting a new trial. It remains unclear whether he will again choose to represent himself or seek appointed legal counsel for the upcoming proceedings.
The Saginaw County Prosecutor’s Office has acknowledged the appellate court’s decision and is preparing to retry the case. A new trial date has not yet been set.
Community Still Healing
The case sent shockwaves through the Saginaw community in 2014, both due to the horrific nature of the crime and the fact that a son and brother stood accused of committing it. For many, the decision to retry the case reopens old wounds but also offers the opportunity for renewed examination and a fair process under the law.
As the legal system prepares to revisit a case long thought closed, both the victims’ loved ones and the community at large are left to navigate the difficult road toward truth and justice — again.
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