Murder suspect could face death

Former D.C. cop denied bail

Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2008

A Charles County prosecutor asked the judge to deny bond, citing Joseph John Plass' criminal record and emphasizing the violence of the Nov. 12 attack.

The judge then gave Plass an opportunity to respond to the state's argument.

"I'd like to request it [bond]. I need some time to start preparing things," said Plass, 57, of Waldorf, in the hearing.

Although district court Judge Richard A. Cooper turned down Plass' request, he said the matter could be revisited at a Dec. 9 preliminary hearing in the case.

Cooper advised Plass he could receive a death sentence or life in prison if convicted of his first-degree murder charge. Also during the hearing, Plass declined a referral to the Office of the Public Defender, saying he intended to hire private defense counsel.

Plass is charged with fatally stabbing Shelton D. Stephens, 52, of Dunnellon, Fla., in the parking lot between Hooter's and the Super 8 motel on Crain Highway.

After the attack, Stephens stumbled into the motel and collapsed in the lobby, where he died, according to court records.

Stephens had stopped at the Hooters for a meal as he was transporting a boat from Welcome to New York, said Ruthann Carroll, his fiancee.

Inside the restaurant, Stephens sat near Plass, and while investigators haven't determined whether the two were conversing, witnesses said they weren't arguing, police reported.

But security footage showed a man dressed like Plass following Stephens as he left the restaurant, according to charging documents. Parking lot cameras filmed the man, who wore a black ball cap and black jacket, walking close behind Stephens until the two disappeared from sight, court papers state. A few minutes later, the man re-entered the Hooters, according to charging documents. Stephens did not.

A witness who saw the two later reported seeing the man in black make a "jabbing motion" toward Stephens, the court records show.

After Stephens collapsed in the motel, a manager called police at about 7:38 p.m., charging documents state.

Police searched Hooters and saw what looked like blood on the sink, floor and door in the men's bathroom, according to court records. They found Plass in the Hooters wearing a Ravens sweatshirt stained with blood, court documents show. A bloody knife was clipped to his pants pocket, and a Hooters customer told police that a black hat and jacket found at the scene and also marked with blood, belonged to Plass, according to the statement of charges.

Plass told police he came to the Hooters at about 7 p.m., and never left the restaurant, court records state.

He was arrested, taken to the Charles County jail and charged with first-degree murder, first-degree assault and carrying a folding knife with intent to injure.

Stephens was pronounced dead at the motel.

"He always had a kind word," said Carroll of her fiance. "He looked like a big old Teddy bear."

Carroll said Stephens ran a business delivering boats and was often on the road.

She encouraged him to pull over and eat as he did Nov. 12 and stressed the importance of getting at least one hot meal a day while traveling. Once Stephens was in a restaurant, Carroll explained, he was the kind of man who would strike up a conversation with someone, but not the type who would start a fight.

"He was a family man," she said.

A father of two daughters, Stephens also helped raise the son of his ex-wife and Carroll's granddaughter.

Carroll said when she got the late-night call saying her fiance had died, she thought it was Stephens phoning her, as he usually did when he was away.

"He would always say, ‘Honey, I know you're sleeping. I love you,'" said Carroll. "But it wasn't Shelton."

Court records on Plass show he retired from the Washington, D.C. police department. They also indicate that he worked as a sky marshal with the Department of Homeland Security, but the department hasn't verified Plass' employment.

In 1996, Plass entered an Alford plea to assault with intent to avoid apprehension, reckless endangerment and transporting, wearing or carrying a handgun in Prince George's County. An Alford plea does not admit guilt, but acknowledges the state's evidence might be strong enough to secure a conviction in a trial.

Police say no arrests have been made in the stabbing murder of Daniel Cordova, 28, of Waldorf, whose naked body was found Nov. 11 behind a Lowe's store in Waldorf.

However, investigators said they are following several leads in the case.

Investigators are asking anyone with additional information to call detective G. Higgs at 301-609-6498. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call Crime Solvers at 866-411-TIPS.

brodgers@somdnews.com