A young man who was just 17 when he killed a boy at a party in Corning has been sentenced to adult prison after striking a plea deal. Steele Stewart stabbed the 14-year-old victim at a home on Ohio Avenue in Corning in April of 2022. It turned out out be a Quinceanera, a traditional Hispanic coming-of-age ceremony for a 15-year-old girl. About 200 people were there, and two stabbing victims were found. 14-year-old Efrain Vargas Jr of Gerber was stabbed in the torso and later died. A 15-year-old boy was stabbed twice in the back, and he was soon released from the hospital. Based on witness reports, Stewart was identified as the culprit and arrested about 10 hours later at a home on West Street in Corning. The Tehama County District Attorney wanted to prosecute Stewart as an adult and the local court concurred, but that was reversed by a state appellate court. DA Matt Rogers pushed ahead and Stewart was convinced to plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter with enhancements. Tuesday he was sentenced to more than 15 years in state prison
-Steve Gibson