Staff Report
Mark James Stevens, 41, of Buda, was convicted for the murder of Brandon Fontenette and sentenced to life in prison.
During the jury trial before 428th District Judge Bill Henry, which began on July 6, the prosecution presented evidence that on the evening of July 25, 2018, Mark and Jeanette Stevens went to the Railhouse Bar in Kyle, where they were introduced to Brandon Fontenette.
After drinking and socializing with Fontenette for about an hour, they invited him back to their residence in Buda. They continued drinking and this led to a consensual sexual encounter between the Stevens and Fontenette. Mark Stevens then killed Fontenette, strangling him, shooting him with a BB gun 13 times and fatally stabbing him in the back.
Mark Stevens then called his brother to discuss how to dismember and dispose of the body. His brother told their father about their conversation and the father called 911. Police discovered Fontenette’s body in the Stevens’ master bathroom and some of his belongings removed from his body and placed in plastic bags.
On July 13, the jury returned verdicts of guilty on murder and tampering with evidence. Following a punishment hearing on July 14, the jury sentenced Mr. Stevens to life in prison for the murder charge and ten years for the tampering. The sentences will be served concurrently.
The Hays County Criminal District Attorney, Wes Mau, complimented his prosecutors, the Hays County Sheriff’s Department and the Department of Public Safety Crime laboratory personnel for their efforts in piecing together the events that led to Fontenette’s murder. Mau declined further comment on the case because Jeanette Stevens’ case is still pending.
